WWE Raw is without a doubt the biggest wrestling show in the world, and tonight it is only going to become bigger than ever. WWE Raw debut on Netflix began backstage with WWE Superstars and celebrities attending the the red carpet. The aired live on Netflix from the brand-new Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. WWE Raw on Netflix then went inside the arena featuring the arrival of various WWE superstars such as CM Punk, Seth “Freakin” Rollins, and Liv Morgan along with the Judgement Day and Rhea Ripley.
WWE Raw then went to the ringside area with over 17,000 fans in attendance where Michael Cole on commentary welcomed the WWE fans for the first time ever on Monday Night Raw Live on Netflix. WWE Raw then featured a video package showcasing the history of wrestling and WWE. The video package was aired inside the arena on big white curtains with a voice-over by Triple H.
The curtains surrounded the ring from all four sides, and when the video package ended they dropped from all four sides of the ring simultaneously with Triple H standing in the middle of the ring. A pure goosebumps moment for me, I loved it.
Triple H then welcomed the fans to this new Netflix era with massive pyro inside the ring unveiling the stage and the new branding of the show.
The Final Boss is Back at WWE Raw debut on Netflix
Lights then went off inside the arena for a moment, and then The Rocks music hit as he returned to the WWE for the first time since Bad Blood PLE in 2024. The Rock walked into the arena with the People’s Championship that was given to him by the widow of Muhammad Ali. The Rock walked to the ringside greeting fans and Ari Emanuel who was sitting in the front row. The Rock then presented the People’s Championship to her daughters who were sitting on the ringside along with her mother.
Michael Cole and Pat McAfee then unveiled the status of The Rock in the Anoaʻi family as The High Chief of Samoa. I think it was a clear hint at what could happen in a few moments here on WWE Raw. The Rock then unveiled this show as the largest arena gate in the history of WWE.
The Rock then shifted his focus towards Cody Rhodes sitting at ringside, saying thank you for caring the business for over a year. He then acknowledged Roman Reigns saying he is the original Tribal Chief. The Rock then said that he would be watching the Tribal Combat tonight.
The Rock also greeted Rhodes before leaving, I don’t what is going on here.
Roman Reigns battles Solo Sikoa in a Tribal Combat for the Ula Fala and recognition as Tribal Chief of the Anoaʻi family:
WWE Raw debut on Netflix then officially began as both Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa walked down to the ring for their match. You could feel the electricity inside the arena when Reigns arrived along with Paul Heyman.
Both Reigns and Sikoa stood in the middle of the as the WWE Universe chanted “F*** you Solo, F*** you Solo, F*** you Solo,” and the match began. Reigns and Sikoa took the fight to each other with none of the two men clearly getting the upper hand. Sikoa then slammed Reigns into the announce table with the Spinning Solo. Sikoa then hit Reigns with the steel steps right to the face outside the ring. The tension could be clearly seen on the face of Paul Heyman.
Reigns got the control for a moment before Sikoa got the things back in control for him. Reigns once got the match under his control when he knocked off Sikoa on the mat and went on to hit him with a conchairto but Sikoa hit him with a low blow and Spinning Solo but Reigns kicked out. He then hit Sikoa with a last ride through the table for a cover but Tama Tonga knocked off the official. Meanwhile, inside the ring Jacob Fatu also attacked Reigns.
Sikoa then fit Reigns with a Samoan Spike but he kicked out. Sikoa then fit the referee with a Samoan Spike as well. They then continued the assault on Reigns before Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso arrived to help their Tribal Chief. They then took out both Fatu and Tonga outside the ring, allowing Reigns to hit Sikoa with the spear for a cover but he kicked out at two.
Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso then took the fight to Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu outside the ring leaving Sikoa and Reigns along inside the ring. Reigns then went for a spear on Reigns but Kevin Owens arrived and hit him with a Stunner. Owens then tried to hit Reigns with a Piledriver but got interrupted by Rhodes, who arrived to save the day for Reigns. Rhodes then took out Owens with Cody Cutter and brawled into the fans.
Meanwhile, inside the ring Reigns hit Sikoa with a spear to win the match to become the only Tribal Chief of the Anoaʻi family.
The Rock arrived at the ring after the match ended and put the Ula Fala around Reigns’s neck. The Rock hugged Reigns acknowledging him as the Tribal Chief.
Result: Roman Reigns def Solo Sikoa to become the Only Tribal Chief
Ratings: 10 /10
Did you know:
- There was no one on the ringside besides Paul Heyman who was caring the Ula Fala when the match started.
Interview segment featuring The New Day
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods appeared on the show and the fans booed the hell out of them. The show also featured a lot of other WWE Superstars and celebrities present in the arena.
John Cena kicks off his farewell tour at WWE Raw debut on Netflix:
WWE Legend John Cena then arrived on the show to start his farewell tour. Cena then reflected on the history he has with the WWE and Hollywood. Cena then talked about the possible opponents he could face during the farewell tour and talked about winning his 17th World Heavyweight Championship.
Cena then said that it might not happen as he has not won a singles match in the last 2446 days. Cena then said he would never be able to win his record-breaking 17th World Heavyweight Championship, when the fans were not having any that, he settled things saying it would take a miracle for that to happen. Cena then said that to win a World Heavyweight Championship with a record like he would have to win the Money In The Back, survive Elimination Chamber, or win the Royal Rumble.
Cena then officially declared his entrance into the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble.
Did you know:
- John Cena has a completely new theme and ring gear according to the farewell tour
Ratings: 9 /10
Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley – Women’s World Championship at WWE Raw debut on Netflix:
WWE Raw then featured a highly anticipated Last Woman Standing match as Liv Morgan defended her Women’s World Championship against Rhea Ripley. I also noticed a new thing where WWE now playing the hype package of the match after one of the superstars has entered the ring. The match was advertised as a Last Woman Standing match on the Dec 27th episode of WWE Main Event but was held under normal championship match rules.
Ripley started the match on fire as she took the fight to Morgan along with Raquel Rodriguez on the outside. The numbers game from the Judgement Day was clearly a factor for Morgan heading into this match. Morgan delivered a series of good offensive maneuvers but nothing was good enough to keep Ripley down, who delivered a Riptide to Morgan for a really close count.
Dominik Mysterio on the ringside, threw the Women’s World Championship inside the ring during the match which allowed Rodriguez to slide a steel chair inside the ring behind the referee’s back. Morgan took the opportunity to hit Ripley with her signature Oblivion onto the steel chair, who kicked out at one. Cole on the commentary mentioned a count of two but I think it was just one.
Morgan then hit Ripley with the three amigos in the middle of the ring, followed by a frog splash — made famous by Eddie Guerrero. Morgan then went for another Oblivion, but Ripley blocked it and delivered a couple of Riptides to win the match and become the new Women’s World Champion.
Dominik Mysterio slid into the ring to hug Ripley after the match but got laid down by the new champ with a low blow and a riptide. This match had nothing to do with any love angles or anything else. It was a straight-up one-on-one match between two former friends now turned enemies.
After the match ended and Ripley was walking backstage, “The American Badass” The Undertaker arrived on the show a left alongside Rhea Ripley — giving her the biggest moment of her career.
Result: Rhea Ripley def Liv Morgan to become the New Women’s World Champion
Ratings: 9 /10
Did you know:
- When Rhea Ripley was entering the ring, Michael Cole on the commentary desk said “If you look up the word superstar in a dictionary, That Womens face will be on that page” admiring the character of Rhea Ripley.
A backstage segment featuring Raw GM Adam Pearce
WWE Raw then went backstage where Chad Gable asked Adam Pearce to schedule a match for him against the best Luchador. Pearce left the scene saying he had to make a phone call. It was a clear hint towards Pénta El Zero M.
Interview segment featuring The Miz
WWE Raw featured an interview segment where The Miz mocked Cena for entering the Royal Rumble, saying he had already won two of them in the past. Karrion Kross then arrived on the scene along with Scarlett. Kross then asked Miz about teaming with them to face the Wyatt Sicks. The Miz denied saying No but got trapped into the mind games of Kross and yes for teaming with him.
Drew McIntyre vs. Jey Uso – Singles match
Meanwhile, it was time now for Yeet as Jey Uso arrived at the ring for his match against Drew McIntyre along with Travis Scott who joined Cole and McAfee on the commentary desk. Jey Uso attacked McIntyre with a suicide dive before the match even began. The match finally started when both superstars entered the ring.
McIntyre was in all sorts of confidence as he hammered Jey from the second turnbuckle. Jey took the opportunity to hit a powerbomb on McIntyre. McIntyre finally got the match under a little control as he went to hit Jey with a Claymore kick who stopped him in his tracks with a superkick of his own. Jey then went for the Uso splash which McIntyre countered by getting his knees up and hit Jey with a spinebuster and a powerbomb.
Both McIntyre and Jey exchanged blows for a while before Jey went for a spear on McIntyre, who countered and hit Jey with the Claymore moments later for a close count. McIntyre went for another Claymore before Jey collapsed in the middle of the ring. McIntyre went for one more Claymore, but Jey ducked underneath. Jey rolled up McIntyre for a count of three to win the match.
Result: Jey Uso def Drew McIntyre
Ratings: 8 /10
Did you know:
- Michael Cole along with Pat McAfee on commentary were dancing on top of the announce desk as Jey Uso made his way to the ring. It was awesome.
- Heading into this match, Jey Uso had never won a singles match against Drew McIntyre.
- WWE used a drone camera during the entrance of Jey Uso, it was mind-blowing.
- WWE also used the referee cam during this match.
Cinematic promo segment featuring Gunther on WWE Raw debut on Netflix
WWE Raw then featured a cinematic promo segment the World Heavyweight Champion Gunther who laid out his plan for the future.
Backstage segment featuring Gabriel Iglesias
WWE Raw then went backstage where Cathy Kelley was joined by a big-time WWE fan Gabriel Iglesias. The New Day crashed the interview before Alpha Academy also arrived on the scene.
Gabriel left the scene along with Alpha Academy and Cathy Kelley while chanting “New Day Sucks! New Day Sucks! New Day Sucks!”
Is Roman Reigns on the cover of WWE 2K25?
WWE Raw then featured a segment involving Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman. Heyman asked Reigns about booking a platform from where the whole world could acknowledge him. Reigns said Jan 27th, when Heyman asked about when he could do that.
When both Reigns and Heyman entered the locker room and shut the door, there was a “WWE 2K25” logo on the door.
Interview segment featuring the The Terror Twins
WWE then featured an interview where Rhea Ripley talked about his victory from earlier tonight. Damian Priest also talked about his match next week against Finn Bálor in a Street Fight.
The Legends have arrived on WWE Raw on Netflix
Hulk Hogan then arrived on WWE Raw along with Jimmy Hart. Hogan took the time to promote his “Real American Beer” on WWE Raw on Netflix. Stephanie McMahon was also present in the arena for the show.
CM Punk vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins – Singles match
It was now time for the biggest fight night of the night between Seth “Freakin” Rollins and CM Punk. Punk and Rollins took the fight to each other outside the ring to the fans in attendance. Rollins continued to punish Punk inside the ring as he stomped Punk’s face in the corner. Punk took the advantage when Rollins was arguing with the referee.
Both Rollins and Punk continued to fight all over ringside delivering big blows right to face of each other. Rollins hit Punk with his finisher GTS in the middle of the ring as he fell off from the ring. Rollins took the fight to Punk outside the ring sending him back inside. Punk hit Rollins with the Stomp when he was entering the ring.
Punk then went for a GTS on Rollins in the ring, who countered and hit Punk with another GTS for a close count. Rollins then took Punk to the announce table and went to deliver a powerbomb before Punk countered and went for GTS, but Rollins countered and hit Punk with a Pedigree on the table. Rollins hit Punk with another Pedigree inside the ring for a close count.
Both Rollins and Punk continued to fight within the ring, both men exhausted as they delivered straight punches on each other faces. Rollins hit Punk a buckle bomb and the stomp for the count but Punk stayed in the match as put his feet on the rope.
The match continued as the crowd chanted: “This is awesome, This is awesome, This is awesome”.
Rollins then went for a superplex on Punk from the top rope, who immediately delivered a GTS to Punk in the middle of the ring. Punk delivered another GTS to Punk in the middle of the ring to win the match.
The match was great and exciting but is that really it? I mean this rivalry between Rollins and Punk is so deep and it was just the first match between the two. Do you think this rivalry should be continued till WrestleMania 41?
Result: CM Punk def Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Ratings: 8 /10
Did you know:
- This was CM Punk’s first match on WWE Raw since 2011.
WWE Raw Debut on Netflix: Results Highlights
Tribal Combat for the Ula Fala and recognition as Tribal Chief of the Anoaʻi family:
Roman Reigns def Solo Sikoa to become the Only Tribal Chief
Women’s World Championship:
Rhea Ripley def Liv Morgan
Singles Match:
Jey Uso def Drew McIntyre
Singles Match:
CM Punk def Seth “Freakin” Rollins
WWE Raw Debut on Netflix – Facts & Figures:
Commentators: Michael Cole and Pat McAfee
Venue & Location: Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California
Attendance: 17,000+
My thoughts on WWE Raw Debut on Netflix
This week’s edition of WWE Raw felt like a PLE or some would say a glimpse of WrestleMania 41. Well, whatever that was one thing is for sure WWE has laid down the foundation for not just the road to WrestleMania but what this Netflix might be. The show featured epic matches and conclusions to some of the biggest storylines in WWE along with the beginning of many more for the near future.
The stars were out in beautiful Intuit Dome as the show featured surprise appearances from Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Hart, and The Undertaker. The American Badass arrived on the show after Rhea Ripley defeated Liv Morgan to become the New Women’s World Champion. That was certainly a big moment for the Eradicator. Jey Uso battled and defeated Drew McIntyre who had claimed to be on a hunt for the Bloodline. The ending of the match was really surprising for me, as i honestly had thought that McIntyre would have won the match but Jey’s performance was incredible and was certainly ready for the Scottish Warrior.
After months and months of battle, Roman Reigns has finally got his rightful place back at the Head of the Table after defeating his cousin Solo Sikoa in a Tribal Combat to kick off this historic episode of WWE Raw. Reigns finally overcame the Bloodline of Solo Sikoa with the help of Jimmy Uso and his long-time rival Cody Rhodes — who came out to take care of Kevin Owens during the match.
To complete this history-making episode of WWE Raw Debut on Netflix, Punk and Rollins left it all in the ring as they collided in a one-on-one match. The match and the storyline were brilliantly executed. There were no such moments when I felt bored about anything on the show. The was truly one of the biggest Monday Night Raw in the history of WWE.
Welcome to the Netflix Era.
My Prediction Score: 1 /4
Ratings for the show: 10 /10
