WWE Launches Netflix Era with Star-Studded Raw Premiere

The WWE’s flagship program, Raw, premiered on Netflix for the first time, showcasing an unforgettable night filled with legendary appearances and dramatic moments. The event, held in Los Angeles, featured the return of iconic superstars, including The Rock, John Cena, and The Undertaker, marking a historic shift from traditional broadcast television to exclusive streaming.

The highly anticipated show brought back fan favorites, with John Cena beginning his farewell tour and announcing 2025 as his final year in the ring. Cena, a 16-time world champion and one of the greatest professional wrestlers, told an elated crowd, “I could not think of a better place to start my goodbye.” He also declared his intention to win February’s Royal Rumble.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, now a director at TKO, also returned to celebrate the occasion. Known for his villainous “Final Boss” persona, he surprised fans by praising and embracing Cody Rhodes, a former rival. Later, The Rock appeared during the climactic Tribal Combat Match, congratulating Roman Reigns on his victory over Solo Sikoa.

The three-hour event showcased WWE’s renowned production values, with critics praising its visual enhancements and in-ring performances. However, some reviews noted the “sameness” of the promos delivered by stars like Triple H and The Rock. Hulk Hogan’s appearance drew loud boos from the California audience, sparking debate over his inclusion.

WWE’s move to Netflix comes as part of a broader strategy by TKO, the company formed from the WWE-UFC merger. The transition to streaming is expected to expand the show’s global reach, with WWE claiming 17.5 million weekly viewers in the US and over one billion followers across its social media platforms.

The debut on Netflix also sets the stage for major upcoming events, including Cena’s farewell year and the Royal Rumble in February.