The stars were out in force as WWE Raw beamed out across the world for its massive Netflix premiere.
A total of 17,000 fans in LA’s Intuit Dome and millions around the world soaked up the greatest atmosphere in sports entertainment. And it didn’t disappoint. UK fans stayed awake into the early hours for the three-and-a-half hour show as a new era began for the wrestling giant.
Netflix agreed to pay more than £4billion for rights to show Raw, Smackdown and NXT, as well as including archive content. The company said that would include pay-per-view specials including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. It’s claimed that it brings in 17.5million viewers each week in the US, and that WWE boasts one billion followers across various social media platforms.
Now the dust has settled, Record Sport looks back on the show and outlines the five biggest talking points from the historic moment in wrestling.
1 – John Cena’s Royal Rumble announcement
The Netflix debut marked the start of John Cena’s “farewell tour” with the star set to hang up his chains at the end of 2025. The Chain Gang Soldier is one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time and has been world champion a joint record 16 times since joining in 2001.
But he’s not going out with a whimper and revealed he would not simply show up in a cameo at Royal Rumble in three week’s time. He told cheering fans he “could not think of a better place to start” his goodbye, while stating his intention to “win the Royal Rumble” event in February. The announcement was met with ear-splitting cheers as The Champ admitted it was a lottery – but that “you can’t win if you don’t play”.
2 – The Rock’s tribute to Cody Rhodes
The People’s Champ and the American Nightmare have a complicated history. But Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who is a director of TKO, surprised fans from all over as he heaped praise on Rhodes for his work at the company over the past 12 months.
“Here is a man The Rock has spilled blood with, has spilled his blood across the country, is willing to do it again, ready to do it again. But here is the truth – this man has carried this company on his back for a year. He has done an amazing job. Cody Rhodes thank you brother.”
But the Rock still couldn’t resist a jibe against his old rival, adding: “Cody Rhodes one more thing. Tell mama Rhodes The Rock said hello.” He then later appeared at the conclusion of the Tribal Combat Match between Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa, embracing Reigns following his victory.
3 – Undertaker supports new champion Rhea Ripley
Defending WWE RAW Women’s Championship Liv Morgan started the match trying to outwit the stronger Ripley, but she seldom got her rewards. Morgan had ringside back up in Raquel Rodriguez and Dominik Mysterio who tried to throw off the former champ.
But Ripley was relentless and a third Riptide was enough to make her a three-time world champion. After the match, Ripley kicked Dirty Dom in groin for betraying her to align with Morgan. If that wasn’t badass enough, The Undertaker rode down to the ring in his American Badass persona, celebrated with Ripley and headed off to rapturous cheers.
4 – Hulk Hogan booed
WWE legend Hulk Hogan made a show-stopping appearance – and perhaps not in the way he intended. The Hulkamaniacs were either absent or kept quiet as his entrance music was met with a shower of boos from fans. The veteran star, 71, real name Terry Bollea, has been a figure of controversy over the past few years including recordings of racist remarks in 2015 which many in the WWE believe an apology is still owed for.
Hogan was also a huge advocate for President-elect Donald Trump, although the profile does not exactly align as wrestling is not generally known for attracting a liberal audience. Despite the detractors he decided to turn the other cheek.
“You, the fans, have been my greatest tag team partner because you guys have stuck with me through thick and thin dudes,” he told the hecklers. Commentator Michael Cole made sure to outline Hogan’s positive influence on the wrestling industry and the company would not be where it is today without him.
5 – Seth Rollins vs CM Punk
A match decades in the making and it deserved its main event status. Even the calm and collected commentator Michael Cole could feel the heat in anticipation as both wrestlers served up a combat masterclass. It is hard to believe these two superstars had not come to blows before.
The younger Rollins dominated much of the contest, nailing Punk with his own GTS and following up a buckle bomb with his curb stomp for a few near falls. He even pedigreed Punk on the announce table and again in the ring. For most wrestlers that would be more than enough to clinch victory.
But Punk is someone who can take a lot of damage and got his own back with two back-to-back GTS finishers. He got the pin and the gritty victory will no doubt cause a crisis of confidence for Rollins, given that he was the better grappler for most of the fight and yet came out empty handed.