WWE Raw has officially kicked off its new era as it premiered on Netflix on January 6, 2025, marking the beginning of what many are calling the "Netflix Era" for the storied wrestling franchise. The highly anticipated debut episode made history by being streamed live from the new Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California, setting the stage for WWE's ambitious $5 billion, 10-year partnership with the streaming giant.
The event was not only historic for WWE but also for the fans who packed the Intuit Dome, which can hold up to 18,000 attendees. WWE Chief Content Officer, Paul "Triple H" Levesque, who welcomed fans to the show, noted the significance of this premiere, stating, "Tonight is the largest domestic gate in WWE history," highlighting the momentous occasion.
The atmosphere was electric as fans chanted and cheered, eager for the action. Triple H spearheaded the opening, narratively introducing the audience to the night's events through well-crafted video packages. The excitement heightened when wrestling icon The Rock made his entrance, playing to the crowd and partaking in heartfelt interactions with fans at ringside.
Before delivering his speech, The Rock embraced the moment, thanking both Cody Rhodes for his incredible year-long tenure at WWE and his cousin Roman Reigns, who would be involved later on. "I want to acknowledge my cousin, Roman Reigns, and I know he’ll be watching tonight closely," he stated, building anticipation for the Tribal Combat match to follow.
The main event showcased the intensity of the Tribal Combat match between Solo Sikoa and Roman Reigns. The stakes were high as the winner would be crowned the Tribal Chief, setting the tone for the family-led combat. The atmosphere remained tense as the competitors displayed their skills, igniting fervent cheers and gasps from the crowd. The unique and compact entranceway at the Intuit Dome added to the excitement, encapsulating the energy of the wrestlers as they entered.
Throughout the match, both wrestlers utilized various weapons and tactics, pulling punches and delivering high-impact moves. With the match's ebbs and flows, the audience was treated to outside action, where chairs and tables became instruments of destruction. Amid the chaos, new faces such as Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu interjected, manipulating the conflict and raising the anticipation for Roman's eventual victory.
Despite the external interference and fierce competition mostly favoring Solo Sikoa, Roman managed to rally back, culminating with multiple spears and strategic maneuvers leading him to victory.
This marks not just another episode of WWE Raw but also sets the tone for future episodes to follow on Netflix. The platform's foray encapsulates WWE's intent to expand its reach within live sports and entertainment. Ari Emanuel, CEO of Endeavor, expressed, "You can see Netflix wants to be in the live sports business — live period. There’s a huge chunk of the audience who are WWE fans who are not currently Netflix subscribers. If they capture a portion of those, it’s a huge win for them and for us." This insight highlights the potential upward trend WWE could experience through its Netflix exclusivity.
Fans are left anticipating the next installment, and with the ease of streaming, it seems likely WWE will continue to impress its dedicated audience base.