RAW HITS NETFLIX: A GAME-CHANGER FOR WWE FANS WORLDWIDE
Words: Mimi aka #TheWrestlingChic
When WWE first announced the historic move of Monday Night RAW to Netflix in January 2024, I’ll admit, I had my doubts. The longest-running episodic TV show in history shifting from cable to a paid streaming platform? It felt risky. How would this play out for WWE’s loyal fanbase, especially those who’ve been riding with the product for decades on traditional TV? I worried about partnerships, sponsors, and, let’s keep it all the way real, whether this would alienate fans who couldn’t afford another subscription (even if Netflix is always top-tier in the streaming list). WWE’s global footprint has grown massive over the years and the idea of putting RAW behind a paywall had me side-eyeing the whole plan. Literally… “Iono”
Netflix’in Like a Superstar’s Return
Fast forward to this week and boy, did WWE silence the skeptics (which included yours truly). The numbers don’t lie; #RAWonNetflix was a certified hit. Pulling in 4.9 million Live+1 global views, this wasn’t just a win; it was a mic-drop moment for both WWE and Netflix. In the U.S. alone, RAW averaged 2.6 million households, more than doubling its 2024 cable audience and delivering the best RAW ratings in five years. That’s not just growth, that’s breaking the ceiling and the walls around it.
The sold-out debut at L.A.’s Intuit Dome smashed records, becoming WWE’s highest-grossing arena event of all time, while also setting a merchandise sales record for a non-PPV event. But let’s get into the card itself and all the extras:
- Rhea Ripley reclaimed the Women’s World Championship from Liv Morgan (yaaass!)
- Roman Reigns defeated Solo Sikoa in a brutal Tribal Combat match (because our Tribal Chief always delivers)
- CM Punk edged out Seth “Freakin” Rollins (okay… I’ll admit it had me rolling my eyes, but also low-key a good match)
- Jey Uso Yeet’d Drew McIntyre out the building
And the cameos? From The Rock hyping the crowd with his opening promo to Travis Scott’s spliff puffing entrance, plus appearances from The Undertaker, Logan Paul, and John Cena, who kicked off his farewell tour (exclusively for Netflix). The night was a whole vibe, stacked with big money and even bigger moments for history.
Social Media Domination
The hype began days before, with timelines buzzing with chatter. Lapsed and non-wrestling fans were curious to see what all the excitement was about. The moment the show went live, social media exploded. RAW became the #1 trending topic in major markets like the U.S., Brazil, and the UK, where it held the top spot for an incredible 14 hours straight. Meanwhile, #RAWonNetflix and #WWEonNetflix lit up timelines in Mexico, Spain, and Canada. WWE didn’t just trend, they owned the People's internet for the night and days after.
WWE’s Gamble Pays Off
It’s safe to say that WWE’s streaming gamble paid off in championship gold. Netflix’s massive global reach took RAW’s audience to new heights, and with SmackDown, NXT, and WWE Premium Live Events also joining the platform internationally, the future of WWE storytelling just got way bigger, and way more binge-worthy.
Now, I wasn’t sure how this would shake out, but RAW’s record-breaking debut proves one thing: WWE isn’t just playing the game; they’re rewriting the rules. But let’s keep it real, this was just one night. The real question is, can they keep this same energy week after week?
Time will tell...
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Catch Mimi, also known as #TheWrestlingChic, co-hosting #TheBuckle: #TurnbuckleTalk, every Tuesday at 6:35PM ET on X Spaces and Thursday at 8:35PM ET w/the rest of the crew on The Black Rasslin' Podcast on YouTube.
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