Starting next year, “WWE Raw,” the celebrated weekly pro-wrestling show, will transition to Netflix, making it exclusively available on the streaming platform. This marks a significant shift from its 31-year history of broadcast television presence globally. This change comes in the wake of the merger that led to the creation of TKO, combining WWE with UFC. Consequently, from January onwards, Raw will be streamed only.

International viewers will have the added benefit of accessing all WWE weekly shows and live events through Netflix. This includes major pay-per-view events like WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble. Initially, this shift will impact audiences in the USA, Canada, UK, and Latin America, with plans to extend to additional countries subsequently.

Renowned for its live broadcasts and over 1,600 episodes since its inception, WWE Raw is a key fixture for fans eager to follow the latest in wrestling narratives. The show boasts a substantial viewership, attracting approximately 17.5 million weekly viewers in the US alone, and the WWE’s social media following tops 1 billion globally.

WWE President Nick Khan expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Netflix, citing the platform’s status as a premier entertainment brand and its suitability for Raw’s dedicated and expanding fanbase.

In a related development, Dwayne Johnson, the wrestler-turned-actor, has been appointed to the board of directors of TKO and has acquired ownership rights to his wrestling moniker, “The Rock.” This name, which has been synonymous with him throughout his film career, was previously under WWE’s ownership. Johnson described this new phase in his career as both unprecedented and inspiring, reflecting on his journey’s full circle.

This news has further fueled speculation about Johnson’s potential return to wrestling, especially following his unexpected appearance on Raw earlier this month.