WWE’s Netflix era got off to an explosive start on Monday night and fans were handed treats aplenty.
After more than three decades on linear television, wrestling fans were ushered into a new dawn with the first ever episode of Monday Night Raw on the streaming platform.
A raucous crowd of over 16,000 jammed into the Intuit Dome in California to witness history being made, chills sent down the spine when Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque narrated a stunning opening video package – before appearing in person the middle of the ring.
He introduced the show before the roof blew off the arena at the sound of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s arrival, making a first significant WWE appearance since April’s WrestleMania, largely to thank fans and sponsors.
A brutal Tribal Combat match between Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa then followed as fans were gifted a hard-hitting opening contest that Reigns eventually won, but not without the involvement of a string of stars including Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens.
While the action inside the ring set a blistering pace, Netflix ensured the pulses kept racing at home with an influx of new features and extras for the viewer – and fans were loving it.
The streaming giant had already blown the minds of subscribers by introducing subtitles to the archive content on the platform that had been dropping since New Year’s Day, but then continued to up the ante.
In the UK, for instance, fans saw no traditional adverts during the show, something a top WWE producer has said will set international audiences aside from their US counterparts, some of whom reported seeing ads during Raw despite having no-ad subscriptions.
VP and Line Producer, Brian Fadem commented: “While you might go to commercials if you’re in Texas, if you’re in Italy you’re going to see us continue content.
“You’re going to see the continuation of a match. You’re going to see exclusive interviews with our talent. You might see an exclusive package that will only be viewed on that international level.”
It proved to be the case on night one, delighted fans on X lapping up the continuation of the action, one saying: “The feed just dipped to black and went straight back to the match for me, we really are living the dream!”
Another added: “No ads for me in the UK, let’s go!”
3
3
It wasn’t just the ads – or a lack of them – that had fans in a frenzy. Within minutes of Monday’s Raw opening, a lack of censors seemed apparent after The Rock wasted no time turning the air blue.
The People’s Champ exclaimed: “Let’s f****** go,” at one stage, before using the word ‘b*******’ during his address that also went unchecked.
During the opening match between Reigns and Sikoa, chants of ‘F*** you, Solo’, which would normally be censored, were left untouched, with one X post celebrating: “…Chants without any audio cuts…WWE finally got uncensored.”
A follow-up read: “ No censors on Raw, I am officially living my best life. What is happening??’
Finer touches also caught the eye of viewers at home, with new referee outfits picked up on as officials donned all new grey numbers to blend in with the stylish new grey ring mat used throughout the night, adorned with various sponsor logos.
The overall presentation of Raw was razor sharp, too, WWE’s usually high production values boosted further by arena LEDs and drone cameras that whizzed above the ring as matches took place.
Raw will continue to air on Netflix going forward, while Royal Rumble on February 1st is the first WWE Premium Live Event to feature on the platform.
