On January 6, WWE Raw made its debut on Netflix, marking the launch of a landmark agreement between WWE and the streaming giant. This partnership, valued at $500 million annually for a decade with a potential extension, aims to bring WWE content to a broader global audience, with the WWE Raw Netflix viewing success already exceeding early expectations.
While WWE’s premium live events remain available on Peacock in the United States, alongside SmackDown airing on USA Network and NXT on CW Network, all WWE programming has transitioned to Netflix outside the U.S., including in the United Kingdom.
Viewership Numbers Highlight Enthusiastic Response to WWE on Netflix
According to Variety, WWE Raw is averaging approximately 6.3 million hours streamed per week on Netflix, which corresponds to around three million individual views. This performance has been a cause for celebration among both WWE and Netflix executives, highlighting strong consumer interest in this new distribution model.
Triple H, WWE Executive Vice President, expressed deep appreciation for the collaboration, emphasizing the dedication of WWE fans and the strength of the Netflix partnership.
“Netflix has been amazing, in every sense of the word. They are phenomenal partners, and we can’t say enough about WWE fans. They’ve shown up in full force, as passionate and engaged as ever.” —Triple H, WWE Executive Vice President
Gabe Spitzer, Netflix’s Vice President of Sports, described the initial stages of the WWE-Netflix alliance as exceeding all expectations while maintaining the essence of WWE’s distinctive style.
“It’s everything we could have hoped for and more. We knew going in that we’re not going to change WWE. It was more, how can we add to it in small ways, and that’s what we’ve seen so far.[WWE’s] distribution has been pretty fragmented up to this point, and the hope was ‘Let’s combine the power of what you guys do with the power of what we do with our global distribution, and get our marketing teams together … and try to lift this.” —Gabe Spitzer, Vice President of Sports, Netflix
The success of WWE Raw on Netflix has fueled speculation regarding the future availability of WWE Premium Live Events. Currently held on Peacock in the U.S. until March 2026, there is growing anticipation that these marquee events could also move to Netflix once that deal expires.
Spitzer remains open to expanding the partnership and expressed optimism about WWE’s global conversation-driving potential.
“For us, it’s still early stages. We want things that are going to create global conversation. And I think with WWE, we already know they have that. … So we’ll continue to have conversations with the leagues that have rights coming up.” —Gabe Spitzer, Vice President of Sports, Netflix
Viewership data underscores WWE’s widespread appeal, with over 280 million hours of WWE content streamed by Netflix audiences in the first half of 2025 alone.
Ongoing WWE Storylines and Upcoming High-Profile Matches
Amid the broadcasting achievements, WWE storylines continue to captivate fans worldwide. Roman Reigns has issued a significant challenge ahead of WWE SummerSlam, expressing a desire to reunite with a key member of his Bloodline faction for one last time in the ring.
Meanwhile, a leading WWE star has openly criticized Travis Scott, claiming that the rapper negatively impacted the WrestleMania main event, though the specifics of their remarks remain undisclosed.
Additional developments include Roman Reigns hinting at a major character transformation following his recent appearance on WWE Raw, and warning signs being raised about Bron Breakker’s upcoming trajectory within the company, potentially influencing main event plans.
Santino Marella, better known for his role as Director of Authority in TNA, is poised to make a notable return by challenging for a WWE title for the first time in over a decade. Also, a highly anticipated title match has been confirmed for the upcoming SummerSlam event on WWE Raw.
WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker recently reappeared on NXT and made an impactful statement by defeating a current champion, reinforcing his enduring influence on WWE wrestling. Outside the ring, a former WWE star has surged in earnings, now reportedly making more money than any other female wrestler globally while taking a break from active competition.
Implications for WWE and Netflix Moving Forward
The partnership between WWE and Netflix demonstrates an evolving approach to sports entertainment distribution, with Netflix leveraging WWE’s global fanbase to enhance its live and on-demand content offerings. With the initial success of WWE Raw on Netflix solidifying the foundation, negotiations around extending coverage to premium live events may further transform the landscape, especially in the United States.
The expanding viewership suggests that WWE’s rich library and live programming fit well within Netflix’s strategy to boost sports-related content, potentially increasing subscriber engagement through high-profile wrestling events. As the partnership matures, both WWE and Netflix appear poised to explore new avenues for growth, marketing synergy, and fan engagement worldwide.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is WWE Raw kid friendly?
A. Many fans wished the new streaming service would allow edgier storylines and language. However, WWE president Nick Khan and content chief Paul “Triple H” Levesque stated WWE Raw will keep its “TV-PG” rating.
