WWE Raw made its highly anticipated debut on Netflix this week and, as expected, the event was not without its flares of excitement and controversy. With a crowd buzzing at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, many familiar faces filled the screen and ringside, making the night memorable.
The star-studded affair included appearances by The Rock, John Cena, and even musician Travis Scott, who captured attention with his daring antics. On the flip side, the well-loved tag team New Day drew unexpected boos after slamming rapper Kendrick Lamar during their promo. The duo, comprised of Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston, infamously referred to Lamar as "a trash rapper" eliciting jeers from the audience. Kingston doubled down saying, "Yeah, boo him. We think he sucks, too," and claimed, "Drake won the beef," strengthening the heel turn fans noted as uncharacteristic of their usual antics.
Fans on platforms like Reddit shared their outrage both for and against the actions of The New Day. One wrote, "Honestly didn’t buy their heel turn till this moment," showcasing how these comments have fueled their narrative turn. Comments ranged from amusement at the boos they received to sadness at how their long-time favorite characters had seemingly changed for shock value.
Highlights of the night were not limited to controversial comments. The matches showcased incredible talent with thrilling bouts featuring Roman Reigns versus Solo Sikoa and CM Punk facing Seth Rollins. These high-stakes matches showcased the raw athleticism and drama the WWE universe craves.
WWE's Chief Content Officer, Triple H, opened the night, heralding the new era of WWE on Netflix. This monumental debut was underpinned by WWE’s staggering $5 billion deal with the streaming service—a historic framework aiming to bring wrestling to global audiences at no added cost to Netflix subscribers.
After Triple H's opening remarks, The Rock made his entrance to thunderous applause. Carrying with him the People's Championship, The Rock addressed the audience, discussing the significance of the event and WWE’s promising future on Netflix. Fans had mixed reactions to The Rock, reminiscing about his past persona—particularly his 'Final Boss' character seen leading up to WrestleMania 40. One viewer lamented, "Why is he just being The Rock again, where is my The Final Boss?" There was evident longing for the intense character development fans have come to expect.
The nostalgic yet corporate undertone of The Rock’s appearance was not lost on die-hards. With his family and mother present, many felt his jovial approach seemed more aimed at casual viewers rather than attuning to the avid fans who fuel WWE's fervent culture.
Fans expressed their confusion over The Rock’s demeanor with one commenting, "The Rock being a babyface corporate merchant! NO, WE NEED THE FINAL BOSS THE ROCK!" Such critiques highlight the deviation from previous character arcs in light of the new streaming strategy. The careful handling of characters, particularly through WWE’s transition to Netflix, has left many feeling skeptical about what direction this will take.
While some viewers embraced the televised extravaganza, others shared strong sentiments on social media platforms. One fan succinctly expressed, "This show was for the casuals. They saw Dwayne Johnson The Rock. Hopefully, we see The Final Boss and the High Chief soon," demonstrating the carried hope for upcoming events to capture the essence of WWE's raw storytelling and character evolution.
Aside from the thrilling matchups and spectacular entrances, the substantial financial backing of WWE’s streaming venture reflects the company’s ambitions. TKO board member The Rock, who now holds nearly 289,673 shares of TKO stock valued at around $41 million, embodies the merging of entertainment and corporate prosperity, setting the stage for WWE's evolution as both sport and spectacle.
The myriad of reactions from the debut episode of Raw on Netflix showcases the passionate engagement of its audience. The dynamic of casual followers versus die-hard fans will shape WWE’s narrative going forward. The stakes are high not just for the performers but also for the brand as it ventures boldly onward with such lucrative deals and content delivery through streaming.
With this significant change, WWE has drawn the attention of both new viewers and long-time supporters, all eager to see what direction the company takes after this explosive launching pad on Netflix. Fans are left hopeful yet skeptical, balancing excitement for the entertainment spectacle they love with the nostalgic longing for the narrative depth and character arcs they cherished.