SUMMARY
- WWE signed a historic $5 billion deal with Netflix in January 2024.
- According to the deal, the OTT giant is set to become the home of WWE RAW from 2025.
WWE has been considered the supreme leader among pro wrestling promotions for a long time, and it seems like it’s going to remain that way in the future too. As the Triple H-led promotion is now in one of its hottest states, many believe that the recent product is one of the best ever in the history of the organization.
Ever since Triple H took over the creative leadership of the company, the Stamford-based promotion has been doing some spectacular work. Despite the recent Vince McMahon lawsuit, The Game was able to handle things really well, and it played a major role in helping WWE finalize a $5 billion deal with Netflix.
Even though the entertainment industry company is set to take over streaming in 2025, it seems that this step is going to give the Chief Content Officer a freedom that he didn’t have for most of the current deal. If that’s really what the creative plans are after Netflix officially starts their tenure of streaming the Stamford-based promotion’s product, fans are surely in for a delight from the next year.
For those wondering what we are referring to, the contract signing with the OTT giant may finally allow Hunter to take the promotion in an edgier direction for the first time since the “Attitude Era.” So, let’s take a deep dive into this deal between these two sides and also get detailed information about what it means for professional wrestling enthusiasts.
What exactly was the deal between WWE and Netflix?
The entire pro wrestling community is aware that WWE and Netflix signed a $5 billion deal in January 2024. But now many are aware of what exactly the conditions are in their deal or what it means for the future of programming in the Stamford-based promotion.
To answer all such questions, it must be noted that through this collaboration, Netflix has secured the rights to become the exclusive home of Monday Night RAW from January 2025. The agreement has been signed for a big 10-year partnership, as this association with the OTT giant is set to put the red brand on this streaming platform in multiple territories, like in the US, Canada, Britain, and Latin America.
WWE Raw is getting in the ring with Netflix!
Starting in January 2025, Netflix will exclusively stream WWE Raw in the US, Canada, UK, & Latin America. Every single week, all year long. https://t.co/4hiJ2bBpQG pic.twitter.com/i7lz1k80YL
— Netflix (@netflix) January 23, 2024
In fact, the firm will also exclusively telecast all WWE shows and specials outside the US, with additional countries and regions to be added over time. The Triple H-led promotion’s flagship weekly show has been on linear television ever since its debut in 1993, and this change is a massive step for the 3-hour show.
According to the deal, Netflix will get to host all WWE shows and specials outside the US, including RAW, SmackDown, NXT, and events like WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam. In addition to this, the company’s original series, award-winning documentaries, and all upcoming projects will also be available internationally on the streaming platform.
WWE’s $5 billion Netflix deal has already started showing its effects
It’s been just over two months since the $5 billion agreement between WWE and Netflix was announced, but the deal has already started showing its effects. In a major change that the fans have witnessed since the announcement, the usage of curse words has increased significantly.
Dwayne Johnson has particularly been the one name that has made the most usage of these words after his recent heel turn. In fact, ever since he reverted back to his Hollywood Rock persona, he has been unstoppable as a vicious heel. The People’s Champion has used such words mostly for Cody Rhodes.
As Dwayne and Roman Reigns are set to take on Cody and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40, their feud has arguably been the highlight of the last few months. Even though the main rivalry is between The Tribal Chief and The American Nightmare, Johnson’s character has made him the centre of attention among the audience, especially due to the way he has targeted people by cursing him badly on live television.
A message from The People’s Champ @wwe @tkogrp pic.twitter.com/s2yy6gYTTz
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) March 1, 2024
While it’s true that The Rock has been doing so, Cody Rhodes has also made use of them in response to The Brahma Bull’s comments. In addition to these two, CM Punk also did a similar thing during his return to WWE RAW on the March 25 edition of Monday Night RAW. All these developments show that the Netflix deal has already initiated changes in the way the promotion delivers its product.
Except for the use of bad words, a major aspect that made it clear that the company is probably in an edgier direction For the first time since the Attitude Era, there was blood. As Dwayne Johnson took out Cody in one of the best backstage altercations in history, it made fans certain that the company is surely going to make these kinds of changes in the product’s direction.
Is this change a good direction for the future of WWE?
It’s true that WWE’s deal with Netflix has already started showing its effects, and a lot of fans are probably enjoying it. But a part of the audience is also wondering if this change is really a good direction for the future of the Triple H-led promotion.
In this regard, it’s important to point out that the $5 billion deal with the entertainment industry giant is going to help WWE reach a lot more people. As it may also give the Stamford-based promotion an opportunity to add a large chunk of people to their fanbase, this edgier product might be really beneficial.
People who aren’t really into professional wrestling but end up going through one of the shows or segments of this kind may end up becoming regular audience members of the community. Even though Netflix in itself is a huge platform, it is possible that such a direction may also help the company get pretty frequent attention from the mainstream media.
All in all, it can be said that if WWE continues to make the kind of efforts it is currently making under the creative leadership of Hunter, there won’t be any pro wrestling promotion on their level. But it’s important for them to not go too far away from their main objective, as it may lead to backlash from fans. Thus, it’ll be really interesting to see what the Triple H-led promotion has in store, as a brand new phase is about to start soon.