The arrival of WWE RAW on Netflix in 2025 was anticipated to be a revolutionary step for professional wrestling, yet the first year of this partnership saw several prominent WWE RAW Netflix mistakes that upset fans and critics alike. Despite the historic move to the streaming platform, WWE struggled to maintain excitement and failed to meet expectations for its flagship show as it aimed to broaden its audience.
Initial Hype Fizzles After Grand Launch
WWE’s transition of Monday Night Raw to Netflix was marked by extravagant promotion and the promise of a new era under Triple H’s creative lead. The opener echoed the energy and spectacle of WrestleMania, but this momentum quickly dissipated. The first year revealed a series of strategic and creative missteps, including lost opportunities and the questionable use of key talent, casting a shadow over what could have been a defining transformation for the brand.
Four Major Mistakes During the Debut Netflix Year
As WWE wrestled with its new platform throughout the first twelve months, four distinct errors stood out, each impacting the reputation and progression of the red brand under Triple H’s direction.
Jey Uso’s Main Event Run Fell Short
One of the most contentious WWE RAW Netflix mistakes involved the aggressive promotion of Jey Uso as a solo main event star. Triple H focused heavily on making Jey Uso the central babyface on RAW, culminating in his victories at the Men’s Royal Rumble and the World Heavyweight Championship during WrestleMania 41. However, fans quickly rejected this push, seeing it as premature and forced, and criticized his unsatisfying performances. The discontent was further justified by the lack of compelling promos and match quality from Jey in 2025, intensifying backlash and stalling the momentum the show desperately needed.
Roman Reigns’ Appearances Mishandled
WWE’s next misjudgment was in their approach to utilizing Roman Reigns, one of the most influential figures in wrestling. Hoping to capitalize on his global appeal, the company brought Reigns to Monday nights but neglected to craft meaningful storylines for him. Instead of driving engaging narratives, Reigns made only sporadic appearances with little to no storyline progression. His limited involvement was seen more as a way to support rising stars like Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Jey Uso, rather than establishing his own dominance or developing the brand’s overarching storylines. This repetitive cycle of returns and disappearances left fans frustrated by WWE’s inability to fully utilize their top megastar.
The Absence of Cody Rhodes on RAW
Another glaring issue was the minimal involvement of Cody Rhodes, a key star known as the American Nightmare and a major force on SmackDown. Despite the dissolution of the brand split, Rhodes made almost no appearances on Monday nights, a move that confused and frustrated the WWE universe. With Rhodes positioned as the face of the company, his lack of presence on RAW was seen as a missed opportunity to connect with Netflix’s vast global audience. This absence undermined potential storylines and deprived viewers of high-profile matches and moments during the show’s critical first Netflix year.
Revealing the Masked Man Too Early
The climax of 2025’s Survivor Series, featuring an attack on CM Punk by a mysterious masked man, presented WWE with a prime opportunity to keep fans guessing through a compelling, long-term mystery. Rather than using this storyline to generate buzz for RAW’s Netflix tenure and perhaps reveal the identity on an anniversary episode, WWE prematurely disclosed that Austin Theory was behind the mask. This hasty revelation squandered the potential for intrigue and excitement, undercutting what could have become a major talking point entering the following year.
What These Mistakes Mean for WWE’s Future on Netflix
As WWE prepares for RAW’s second year on Netflix, the company’s choices during the debut season serve as clear lessons in the dangers of creative mismanagement and misreading fan reactions. The missteps involving Jey Uso, Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and the masked man storyline left fans feeling overlooked and disappointed. Going forward, WWE faces the challenge of balancing the ambition of this streaming partnership with more effective talent usage and storytelling, ensuring it learns from a turbulent first year of WWE RAW Netflix mistakes. The path ahead offers a chance to reinvigorate the brand for both longstanding fans and new international audiences.
