ISHOWSPEED & KAI CENAT ARE WWE’S SECRET WEAPON FOR THE STREAMING ERA

12:00 PM   IShowSpeed , Kai Cenat , Quavo , Royal Rumble , WWE , YouTube

Words: Mimi aka #TheWrestlingChic  

The 2025 Royal Rumble just bodied the record books, smashing past gates, viewership numbers, merch sales, sponsorships, and social media stats like a Stone Cold Stunner. Among all that viral energy? None other than the internet’s most unpredictable Black streaming sensation, IShowSpeed. We’re talking about a dude whose fan base moves in numbers (35.9 million subscribers to be exact!), that’d make even Rocky raise an eyebrow. His Royal Rumble moment, getting speared by Bron Breakker racked up over 300 million views in under 24 hours, making it the most-watched Rumble social post ever. That’s not just a viral moment for Speed, it’s a game-changer for WWE, proving that tapping into the streaming generation is the new cheat code for global engagement. Checkmate!

Are Streamers the Perfect Chaos for WWE?
If you’ve been living under a digital rock, Darren “IShowSpeed” Watkins Jr. is a streaming juggernaut. His audience moves like an army, his over-the-top energy is undisputed, and his influence over Gen Z? A standout. His raw, unpredictable vibe keeps millions locked into his streams (dude crying while meeting Cristiano Ronaldo garnered 22 million views). IShowSpeed brought his trademark energy to the Royal Rumble, lighting up his “chat” with animated interactions. Backstage, he ran into The New Day, matching their infectious energy, before a playful encounter with WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Bianca Belair. Speed found himself on the receiving end of her signature hair whip—leaving him both awestruck and in pain—while also sharing a fun moment with Naomi. His enthusiasm hit another level when he crossed paths with Carmelo Hayes and had a memorable exchange with Charlotte Flair, fresh off her 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble victory. Speed’s backstage antics and genuine excitement gave 35.8 million of his fans a unique, behind-the-scenes look at WWE’s ethos, seamlessly blending the worlds of streaming and wrestling in a way only he can in real time.

WWE bringing Speed into the fold wasn't just for laughs; it was a strategic power move. WWE is laser-focused on staying digitally relevant, and Speed’s Rumble moment wasn’t just entertainment; it was viral content engineered for maximum impact, and based on the numbers? Mission accomplished.

The Kai Cenat Factor: Back-to-Back W’s for WWE

Kai Cenat isn’t a one-and-done experiment or just some random influencer; he’s a digital culture-shifting force, regularly bringing stars like Kevin Hart, Chris Brown, and Nicki Minaj onto his streams. Not only was Kai at the Rumble, he pulled up to Monday Night Raw on Netflix earlier that week, and he wasn't alone. The Atlanta hip-hop scene was in full effect, with Lil Baby, 2 Chainz, and Quavo in the building. Then came Speed at the Rumble, bringing his own energy and millions of fans along for the ride, both backstage and in the ring. Kai set the play, Speed took the pass, and WWE scored big. But this isn’t just about boosting viewership. Whether WWE realizes it or not, they embraced young Black content creators, tapping into new audiences while shining a light on Black talent beyond the ring. We love to see it.

WWE is proving they understand the new wave; it’s not just about TV ratings anymore, it’s about digital dominance and doing this during Black History Month? Yes, please. Black creators shape the culture, and WWE is putting them on a global stage. These aren’t just entertainers; they’re entrepreneurs, brand builders, and trendsetters.

WWE x Streaming Stars = More Opportunities, More Viewers, More Moments

This record-breaking 2025 Royal Rumble proves that WWE’s partnership with streaming megastars isn’t a gimmick—it’s a strategy, and the numbers don't lie:

• Largest single-night gate in WWE history
• 14% jump in viewership on Peacock & Netflix globally
• Merch sales up 95% over last year
• Sponsorship revenue skyrocketing 94%

With numbers like that, don’t be surprised if we see even more big names from Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok pulling up to a future WWE event. Maybe Kai vs. Speed in a celebrity match? Maybe the IMPAULSIVE Squad vs. The Judgment Day? 

Who knows; one thing’s for sure, two things for certain: WWE is playing the game differently in this streaming space, and it’s paying off in record-breaking ways.

Question is… Is it sustainable? Again, time will tell.

Be sure to explore more of BRP's content by visiting our website and joining our Black Rasslin' Podcast Patreon for exclusive material.

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.