WWE Raw made its much-anticipated debut on Netflix this past Monday, drawing out fans and stars alike to the sold-out Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The event had it all: show-stopping wrestling, celebrity appearances, and even some controversial remarks. But as exhilarating as the premiere was, it also left die-hard fans feeling slightly miffed.
The show kicked off with high energy as WWE's chief content officer, Triple H, set the stage for this new era. Right from the start, the action heated up with Roman Reigns reclaiming his Tribal Chief title from Solo Sikoa, followed by major bouts featuring CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Liv Morgan, and Rhea Ripley. The excitement was palpable, with stars like John Cena, Hulk Hogan, and Logan Paul making appearances to the delight of many fans.
Wrestling legends like The Rock made this debut even more memorable. His entrance sent the crowd buzzing as he expressed excitement for WWE’s new collaboration with Netflix, emphasizing how it would change the game for wrestling fans globally. The monumental $5 billion deal allows Raw to stream live on Netflix without additional costs to subscribers.
Yet, not everyone was thrilled with The Rock's performance. After all, many long-time fans were expecting the more villainous 'Final Boss' persona he had assumed prior to WrestleMania 40, where he went toe-to-toe with Cody Rhodes. Some critics noted, "Why is he just being The Rock again, where is my The Final Boss?" another lamented, "The Rock being a babyface corporate merchant right now! NO, WE NEED THE FINAL BOSS THE ROCK!" It appears for some, The Rock's friendly demeanor has replaced the sharp-edged intensity they had grown to love.
Meanwhile, The New Day added to the evening's fanfare but not without some backlash. During the show, Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston riled up the crowd when they dismissed Kendrick Lamar as a 'trash rapper.' Their remarks were met with resounding boos from the Los Angeles audience. Kingston even doubled down, saying, “Yeah, boo him. We think he sucks, too.” This heel turn delighted some online commentators who were quick to proclaim, "Honestly didn’t buy their heel turn till this moment." For others, like die-hard Kendrick fans, the comments were unwelcome, adding to the already mixed reviews from the event.
Online discourse following the show erupted, reflecting the range of emotions and opinions held by fans. Social media lit up with comments ranging from disbelief at The New Day’s antics to bittersweet reflections on The Rock’s changing persona. One Reddit comment read, "Dear god the sheer amount of people don’t know these guys are saying these things IN Los Angeles to get ‘heel heat’ is hilarious but sad at the same time." The sense of dissonance was palpable as fans reflected on how some segments may feel tailor-made for casual viewers rather than die-hard supporters.
With such groundbreaking changes coming to WWE, some viewers expressed disappointment over The Rock’s shift away from the dramatic storytelling they loved. The Rock's focus was observed as largely corporate during the event, as he was seen presenting the Ula Fala necklace—a symbol of Samoan heritage—to cousin Reigns, which felt more aligned with his film persona than his wrestling character.
The fans’ desires have shifted, expressing one common hope: they want the return of The Final Boss. One fan summed it all up simply yet effectively: "This show was for the casuals. They saw Dwayne Johnson The Rock. Hopefully, we see The Final Boss and the High Chief soon."
The success of WWE Raw on Netflix sets the stage for what could be a pivotal moment for wrestling entertainment, now firmly entrenched within mainstream viewing. With fans on both ends of the spectrum left buzzing, the question remains whether WWE will listen to its core audience as it builds on this lucrative partnership. The future of WWE under the streaming spotlight may hold unexpected twists, and it remains to be seen how the wrestling company will balance the demands of casual viewers and the deep commitment of hardcore fans.