On January 6, 2025 WWE Raw made its debut on Netflix. It transformed the show into a three-hour live-streaming event. This episode was filled with excitement. It featured a mix of wrestlers and celebrities in the audience. Key moments included “The Tribal Chief” reclaiming his title. Also, the Women’s World Championship returned to its former holder. Besides, there was C M Punk, headlining the first-ever Netflix event. With this WWE marked the onset of a new era on Netflix. Continue reading to learn all about WWE Netflix Debut 2025.
WWE Netflix Debut and The Rock’s Return
The show commenced with a surprise appearance by Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock. He was greeted by a roaring crowd. However, some fans felt that his presence lacked the charm of his previous appearances in 2024. Notably absent was also “The Final Boss”. This was a character that had gained significant recognition. The Rock extensively thanked WWE Championship Cody Rhodes and acknowledged his cousin, Roman Reigns. His brief appearance came after Reigns defeated Solo Sikoa. Subsequently, The Rock presented Reigns with the ulufala. This is a symbolic gesture of his status as Tribal Chief.
Nevertheless, the shift in the character of The Rock was jarring to many. Last year he had a heated rivalry with Rhodes. The lack of follow-up on this storyline left fans confused. The Rock’s backstage interaction with Reigns was also perplexing. The scene where they shared drinks despite their past conflicts also seemed inconsistent. While The Rock’s appearances are always legendary, in this context it was not much appreciated by fans.
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Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa
Roman Reigns faced off against Solo Sikoa in a match that was highly appreciated. The match itself was straightforward. It reflected the expected dynamics of a singles match between the two. There was confusion regarding the rules of Tribal Combat. This was because interference was not permitted. However, Tama Tonga pulled the referee out of the ring. This led to chaotic moments involving Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso. They attempted to aid Reigns against Tonga and Jacob Fatu.
The interference added an element of excitement to the match. It had a slower pace than usual. Ultimately, Reigns emerged as the winner. This solidified his position as a Tribal Chief. The Rock’s presentation of the ulufala was also a powerful visual. This signaled a potential conclusion to the Bloodline storyline. Reigns was fully reinstated as the Tribal Chief alongside Paul Heyman. Now fans await his next move. This could lead to a championship showdown with Cody Rhodes.
Rhea Ripley’s Championship Victory
Another moment from the night was Rhea winning the Women’s World Championship. She played against Liv Morgan. Her previous reign ended due to an injury. This victory therefore was personal and special to her. Also, the Last Women Standing stipulation was removed from the match at the last minute. However, the title change was necessary. Morgan’s reign had become monotonous. So, Ripley’s return to the game was a breath of fresh air for the fans.
As Ripley celebrated her victory, she was interrupted by The Undertaker. He made a dramatic entrance on his motorcycle. This moment certainly added some excitement to the night. It showcased the legendary wrestler in a moment worth remembering. Moreover, it brought a feeling of nostalgia for all viewers.
Celebrity Appearances and Nostalgia
The Netflix debut of WWE Raw included many celebrity moments. It reflected on the show’s connection to fan culture. Paul Levesque, a prominent celebrity in WWE addressed the audience. He also spoke on the collaboration with Netflix. The show featured cameos from diverse stars. This included women’s tag team champions Bianca Belair and Naomi, Shinsuke Nakamura. It also included NXT talent like Bron Breakker and Roxy. Moreover, Stephanie McMahon was also spotted in the crowd. This added to the enthusiasm in the audience.
Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Hart also made an appearance. Although they were met with boos, it was expected at Hogan. Hulk announced that his Real American beer would be sponsoring Raw. He also stressed the integration of celebrity culture into wrestling championships.
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First-of-its-kind WWE Championship
The overall tone of the episode felt like a celebration of WWE’s comeback on Netflix. Wrestling was a key component. However, reintroducing WWE to viewers and promoting its partnership with Netflix was integral. The show featured a lengthy opening with nostalgic clips from WWE and WCW. It showed some memorable flashbacks from a much-revered era.
Despite the focus on entertainment, the wrestling matches were somewhat contained. There were only four matches scheduled for the three-hour episode. However, the episode provided a title shot. This was positive for fans eager for championship action. As RAW moves ahead on Netflix, there is hope for wrestling to make a comeback in today’s time. The debut was an attempt to reconnect with lapsed fans. It aimed to reintroduce new generations to WWE’s rich history.
