WWE's highly anticipated debut on Netflix took place on Monday night, sparking excitement and mixed reactions among fans at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The event featured numerous celebrity appearances, including The Rock, John Cena, and Hulk Hogan, along with performances by Travis Scott, setting the stage for what many hoped would be the start of something special for the wrestling community.
Fans were thrilled when Macaulay and Kieran Culkin made appearances, drawing huge cheers from the packed crowd. The star power didn’t stop there; Travis Scott was even seen enjoying the festivities, which added to the celebratory atmosphere. But, as is always the case with wrestling events, the loud voices of the crowd reflected the complex nature of fandom.
During the broadcast, tag team duo The New Day, made up of Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston, stirred controversy when they took jabs at rapper Kendrick Lamar. Claiming they had spent months “elevated” Lamar, the duo was met with boos from the Los Angeles crowd. Kingston's sarcastic retort, "Yeah, boo him. We think he sucks, too," only fueled the backlash. Fans online reacted with mixed feelings, where one remarked, "Dear god the sheer amount of people don't know these guys are saying these things IN Los Angeles to get 'heal heat' is hilarious but sad at the same time."
This dramatic turn of events cast The New Day as villainous figures for the night, stirring discussions among die-hard fans and light-hearted commentary on platforms like the Kendrick Lamar subreddit. The family-friendly engagement of the WWE is typically loved by many, but the real-life personas woven through their acts can lead to complex fan reactions.
The main card was equally compelling, featuring bouts between stars such as Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa, CM Punk and Seth Rollins, and Liv Morgan taking on Rhea Ripley. Each matchup had fans on the edge of their seats as the legacy of Raw finally debuted on Netflix.
After Triple H, WWE’s Chief Content Officer, set the tone for the new era, The Rock made his grand entrance carrying the People's Championship—a noteworthy symbol—bestowed upon him by Muhammad Ali’s widow. The former champion delighted many with his charismatic presence, but his change of pace disappointed some veteran viewers who fondly remembered his more intimidating, villainous persona, known as the 'Final Boss.'
One viewer stated, "Why is he just being The Rock again, where is my The Final Boss?" reflecting how fans craved the intensity he portrayed leading up to WrestleMania 40. Others echoed this sentiment, with comments about The Rock's return to his corporate demeanor being less appealing to long-time enthusiasts: "The Rock being a babyface corporate merchant right now! NO, WE NEED THE FINAL BOSS THE ROCK!"
It was evident the show catered to casual viewers, which left the hardcore fans questioning the direction WWE seemed to be moving. A viewer lamented, "This show was for the casuals. They saw Dwayne Johnson The Rock. Hopefully we see The Final Boss and the High Chief soon." This showcased the divide between casual fans and die-hard devotees, with the former often enjoying the mainstream appeal of superstars like The Rock.
Despite some backlash surrounding the content and character portrayals, the debut signals the potential for WWE to reach new heights with its $5 billion deal with Netflix. The agreement allows their flagship Monday Night Raw to be aired live to millions around the world, reinforcing WWE's position as a leader within the entertainment market.
With The Rock becoming part of TKO's board of directors and recently acquiring additional shares, valued at $14 million, speculation grows about his future role within WWE and how it will continue to evolve on Netflix. Observers are eagerly watching to see if WWE will maintain its tradition of compelling characters and storylines or if it will shift more toward appealing to mainstream audiences.
WWE's debut on Netflix has certainly opened new doors and elicited varying emotions among fans. With energetic matches, plenty of celebrity appearances, and conflicting responses to star portrayals, this momentous shift could either unite wrestlers and their supporters or widen the rift between them, as they navigate this new wrestling era.
Only time will tell if the changes at WWE will resonate positively with the loyal fanbase, or if they will find it hard to fully embrace the shift. Regardless, the buzz created by the debut serves as testimony to wrestling’s ability to engage audiences and elicite fervent discussions, ensuring WWE remains at the center of the conversation.