Monday night marked a historic moment for WWE as it aired its first-ever episode of Monday Night Raw on Netflix. This groundbreaking move came after the wrestling company secured a $5 billion deal with the streaming service. The event, which took place at the Intuit Dome in California, sold out with a crowd of 17,000 fans, who witnessed what WWE claims to be the highest-grossing arena crowd in the company's history.
The night featured a star-studded lineup, including major storylines and high-profile matchups. In the main event, CM Punk defeated his fierce rival Seth Rollins, securing a significant victory. Meanwhile, Rhea Ripley reclaimed her Women’s World Championship by overcoming Liv Morgan.
The evening kicked off with a thrilling Tribal Combat match between Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa, where Reigns emerged victorious. In another bout, Drew McIntyre was defeated by Jey Uso, adding to the night’s excitement.
Balancing Talent and Time Constraints
With so many high-profile names from WWE's rich history featured throughout the show, not every talent had time to appear. One of the most notable absences was Gunther, the top male champion of the show, who was only seen in a pre-recorded hype package.
Managing such a talented roster and ensuring all performers get their moment can be a challenge. WWE Chief Content Officer and Head of Creative, Paul "Triple H" Levesque, acknowledged this difficulty during a backstage conversation. He reminded the roster: "It’s one show."
Triple H Addresses Talent Concerns
Before the show aired, Triple H addressed the logistical and political aspects of managing a show like Raw on Netflix. He explained that backstage dynamics and scheduling decisions are an everyday reality for WWE, not just specific to the Netflix deal.
"When I’m asked, ‘Why am I not on that PLE? Why wouldn’t I be on that PLE?’ I explain that the story you have doesn’t fit in right now. Not everybody’s going to be on everything," Triple H explained. "I have that conversation with every single talent about everything we do."
The WWE executive emphasized that not every talent can be featured in every show, especially with such a large roster. He reassured performers that their time will come, saying, "You’re going to be on these shows... maybe you’ll be on the second one, maybe the third."
Realistic Expectations for WWE Talent
Triple H acknowledged that the frustrations of talent not being included on a particular episode are understandable. He added, "We can’t put all 200 talents, or whatever we have, on one show. It’s just not going to work. But it’s how they should feel. It’s how I would feel if I was a talent."
The Opening of WWE’s New Era
The night was an emotional one, with Triple H himself opening the first Raw on Netflix. His heartfelt address to the live crowd set the tone for the new chapter in WWE history, which was further punctuated when the legendary Rock made a surprise appearance.
As the first-ever Raw on Netflix came to a close, WWE showcased its ability to blend the past with the present while managing a massive roster of talent. Despite the challenges of fitting everyone in, it’s clear that WWE is committed to evolving with the times, reaching new audiences, and honoring its rich legacy.