WWE’s flagship show Raw has officially debuted on Netflix, marking a new era for both the company and fans worldwide. For 31 years, Raw had been a staple of broadcast television, including being one of KBC’s most popular programs in the 90s and early 2000s. Now, with its transition to streaming, WWE aims to tap into a new audience, enhance its global reach, and embrace the streaming era.
The highly anticipated debut event featured WWE legends John Cena, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and The Undertaker, alongside current stars like Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. Cena kicked off his farewell tour with an announcement that 2025 would mark his final year as an active competitor, while The Rock embraced his former rival Cody Rhodes in a surprising moment. However, the event wasn’t without its criticisms, with some fans noting that certain segments, including Hulk Hogan’s appearance, didn’t resonate as well as others.
Netflix’s investment in WWE, reportedly worth over $5 billion, gives viewers across regions, including Kenya, the chance to stream Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and major pay-per-view events like WrestleMania and SummerSlam. The deal will first roll out in the US, Canada, the UK, and Latin America, with plans for expansion to other territories in the near future.
For Kenya, this deal represents an exciting opportunity for WWE enthusiasts to catch all the action on their preferred streaming platform. As Netflix continues to dominate the streaming market, WWE is poised to capitalize on its growing global audience, particularly the younger 18-49 demographic, who are increasingly shifting away from traditional TV.
With the flexibility offered by streaming, WWE will also have more creative freedom, allowing them to tailor their content and timings to suit their audience better. This move could lead to more dynamic and unpredictable shows, with less reliance on fixed time slots.
While the partnership with Netflix comes with potential risks, including subscriber churn, WWE’s move to streaming is undoubtedly a bold and exciting step forward, bringing Raw and other WWE programming directly into homes around the world including Kenya later this year.
