Tag: netflix

Possible location for first WWE Raw on Netflix

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Los Angeles may be hosting WWE Raw’s first episode on Netflix in January 2025.

WrestleVotes Radio reported this week that Los Angeles appears set to host Raw’s Netflix debut with the Intuit Dome mentioned as the possible venue. Located in Inglewood, the Intuit Dome opened its doors this August and will be home to the NBA’s LA Clippers.

Monday, January 6, 2025 is the date for the first Raw on Netflix. In the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer confirmed that there’s been “pretty strong talk” of the show being held in Los Angeles:

  • While not confirmed, there was a lot of talk this week coming off Raw that the first Raw on Netflix on 1/6 would be in Southern California. There were Netflix employees in the first few rows at Raw this week. Netflix is based in both Los Angeles and Los Gatos, CA, which would be the San Jose market. As part of that talk was the idea of doing NXT in the same building the next night. Again, this is just talk although the Raw episode in Los Angeles is pretty strong talk.

Raw will air on USA Network for the remainder of 2024 until its new deal with Netflix begins at the start of 2025. From October 7 through December 30, Raw will move back to being a two-hour show on USA Network. The runtime for Raw on Netflix has not been confirmed, though it’s possible that the show length will be more flexible without the constraints of regular television.

John Cena will be appearing on Raw’s Netflix premiere. He’s set for a retirement tour that will last from January through December 2025.

Wrestling Observer Radio: Mr. McMahon docuseries review (episodes 5 & 6)

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

(Photo via Netflix)

Dave Meltzer and I are back with a special edition of Wrestling Observer Radio. We reviewed the last two episodes of the Netflix docuseries, Mr. McMahon.

Here were some of the things we covered:

  • Bill Simmons and David Shoemaker talking about the making of the documentary
  • Dave’s experience with the filmmaker Chris Smith
  • The last 30 minutes of episode six and why it wasn’t its own episode
  • How the doc dealt with harassment and abuse
  • Vince McMahon’s psyche
  • His relationship with Shane and Stephanie
  • Him being a father figure to so many male wrestlers
  • His thoughts on dealing with trauma and failure, which is the same
  • Portrayals of the people interviewed

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

Wrestling Observer Live: McMahon Netflix bio, Grand Slam preview, NXT thoughts

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including the Vince McMahon Netflix series, tons of news notes surrounding it, AEW Grand Slam line-ups for the next week, NXT thoughts from Tuesday, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Right Click Save As

Wrestling Observer Radio: Mr. McMahon docuseries review (episodes 1-4)

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

(Photo via Netflix)

Dave Meltzer and I are back with a special edition of Wrestling Observer Radio. We reviewed the first four episodes of the Netflix docuseries, Mr. McMahon.

Here were some of the things we covered:

  • Separating Vince McMahon from the Mr. McMahon character
  • Hulkamania and WrestleMania
  • Unionization
  • No Holds Barred and why it happened
  • Vince’s one WrestleMania regret
  • Dr. Zahorian and the steroid trial, and one major thing the doc missed
  • Phil Mushnick and his reporting on the scandals
  • Vince vs. Hulk and who made who
  • Eric Bischoff’s 180 degree performance from Who Killed WCW?
  • The Attitude Era

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

Janel Grant’s attorney responds to Vince McMahon’s statement on ‘Mr. McMahon’ docuseries

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Janel Grant’s representation has released a statement regarding Vince McMahon’s message on social media.

Grant’s attorney Ann Callis responded to McMahon’s post on social media Monday where he dismissed the series, which premieres Tuesday night. He briefly mentioned the lawsuit, labeling it as “an affair I ended”.

“Vince McMahon physically and emotionally abused, sexually assaulted and human trafficked Janel Grant for more than two years. Calling his horrific and criminal behavior “an affair” is delusional and nothing more than a sad attempt to save his shredded reputation,” Callis’ statement reads. “Although Ms. Grant has not seen the “Mr. McMahon” docuseries, we hope it shines a bright light on his abhorrent and criminal actions by accurately portraying the realities of his abusive and exploitative behavior. “Ms. Grant will no longer be silenced by McMahon.”

“Her story, though deeply troubling and exceptionally painful, is one that can help other abuse survivors find their voices. We seek to hold McMahon, John Laurinaitis and WWE accountable and to give Ms. Grant her day in court.”

In his statement, McMahon said that the docuseries aimed to confuse viewers between his on-air character, Mr. McMahon, and himself.

In January, Grant launched her lawsuit against McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE. In June, the judge officially paused the lawsuit at the request of the Justice Department, which is conducting its own investigation against McMahon. The lawsuit is set to resume in December.

Attorney: Janel Grant deserves to tell her own story, not be part of someone else’s

Posted on by Joseph Currier

With the release of Netflix’s “Mr. McMahon” docuseries approaching, representatives for Janel Grant held a virtual press briefing on Thursday.

Grant’s attorney Ann Callis and Kendra Barkoff Lamy of public relations firm SKDK conducted the briefing. On the subject of whether Grant was asked to appear in Netflix’s series, Callis said Grant deserves the opportunity to tell her own story — not be part of someone else’s.

“We have not seen the documentary. Janel deserves the opportunity to tell her full story, not be a part of someone else’s. She will get her day in court, and [Vince] McMahon will be held accountable,” Callis said. “And Janel has the right to tell her story in her own way at the right time.”

Callis said she hopes the series does Grant’s story justice.

“Janel’s story is an important one, and we hope Neftlix’s docuseries does it justice,” Callis said. “Her experience is integral to an accurate and whole retelling of the story of the WWE and Mr. McMahon.”

Grant, an ex-WWE employee, filed a lawsuit this January accusing McMahon of physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault, and sex trafficking. The lawsuit also lists John Laurinaitis and WWE as defendants. Callis said, because of the cruelty that was inflicted on her, Grant suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal ideation, and cannot leave her house for weeks at a time.

Callis was asked whether they have heard from WWE since the lawsuit was filed.

“There was some initial outreach right after the lawsuit was filed,” she responded during the briefing. “Very brief, and we have really not heard anything since then.”

Grant’s lawsuit is paused until December while the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York conducts a criminal investigation into McMahon. Callis said — if there are any charges against McMahon — Grant’s team would like those to be brought “expeditiously” so her lawsuit can resume as soon as possible. But Callis said they are not frustrated with the time the SDNY investigation is taking.

“We want it to be right, not fast,” she said.

McMahon resigned from WWE in January after Grant’s lawsuit was filed. He maintains his innocence and has called Grant’s allegations “baseless.”

Netflix’s “Mr. McMahon” docuseries premieres next Wednesday (September 25) with all six one-hour episodes available to stream.

Alexa Bliss ‘honored’ to be part of voice cast for Netflix’s ‘The Queen of Villains’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE star Alexa Bliss played a role in Netflix’s new pro wrestling-inspired series “The Queen of Villains.”

Based on Japanese pro wrestling legend Dump Matsumoto, all five episodes of the scripted drama are available to stream on Netflix starting today. Bliss revealed in an Instagram post that she was part of the English voice cast for the show, voicing wrestler Maki Ueda.

Bliss said she was honored to be part of the series and had a lot of fun with her first voiceover role.

“I am BEYOND thankful and honored for this amazing experience. I had THE BEST time working with [director Timmy Red] on my first voiceover project! You were so helpful & patient with me (especially with the singing) – I’m just so honored to have voiced for Maki Ueda on this incredible series,” Bliss wrote.

“Thank you so much @netflix – this was truly so fun. I LOVED every second of ‘The Queen of [Villains]’ And I know you will too.”

Bliss has been away from the WWE ring since January 2023. She gave birth to her daughter Hendrix last November. In July of this year, Bliss shared a photo of her working out in the ring and performing her first back handspring since giving birth.

Here’s the synopsis for the “Queen of Villains” series:

Dump Matsumoto overcomes conflicts to become one of the most famous heels in Japanese history as she tries to prove her own worth as a wrestler in a world filled with gender inequality.

Netflix’s next pro wrestling-related project is its “Mr. McMahon” docuseries that premieres next Wednesday (September 25). Starting in January 2025, Netflix will be the new home of WWE Raw.

The Latest: Roman Reigns & Cody Rhodes teaming at WWE Bad Blood, Raw on Netflix update

Posted on by Denise Salcedo

Welcome to another episode of The Latest with Denise Salcedo breaking down the biggest wrestling news headlines of the week so far.

Topics:

— Roman Reigns & Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu set for WWE Bad Blood

— Bad Blood 2024 Match Card So Far

— WWE Raw on Netflix format update

— Motor City Machine Guns expected to debut in WWE NXT ‘imminently’

CONNECT WITH DENISE SALCEDO ON SOCIAL MEDIA! 

WWE Raw on Netflix format update

Posted on by Joseph Currier

In the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer gave an update on the expected format for WWE Raw on Netflix.

From October 7 through the end of 2024, Raw is going back to a two-hour show for the first time in more than a decade. Raw will then move to Netflix in January 2025. After initially noting that Raw was expected to move back to three hours on Netflix, Meltzer clarified that the plan is still to be determined. Without the constraints of regular television, there’s potential for Raw’s format to be more flexible:

The plan for Netflix is to be determined. It was noted that a normal Raw at three hours is 132 minutes so you can have the same content in a two-and-a-half hour show with less commercial time. There will be commercials on Netflix as one of the reasons Netflix picked up Raw is because they are trying to add commercials to programming and the Raw and pro wrestling audience is used to commercials on the shows, but they can adjust a lot differently than on regular television such as when and how long the breaks are and not have the show to the second when it comes to that. The time can also adjust such as if they need longer to tell the story or want to go shorter, it’s not like they have to be off the air because another show is starting. The idea is the length can change so the time frame of the main event finishes can be less predictable.

Raw’s deal with USA Network had been set to expire at the end of this month, but the two sides reached an agreement to keep the show on USA until its Netflix move. The date for the first Raw on Netflix is Monday, January 6, 2025.

It’s a 10-year deal between WWE and Netflix for Raw. Per the contract, Netflix has the option of extending the agreement for another 10 years after that. Netflix also could opt out at the five-year mark in 2030.

WWE Raw to be three-hour show on Netflix

Posted on by Joseph Currier

After a brief return to two hours, WWE Raw will be a three-hour show again when it comes to Netflix.

It was announced on Monday night that — from October 7 through the end of 2024 — Raw will be a two-hour show on USA Network. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed the news and confirmed that Raw will still be three hours on Netflix when it moves to the platform in January 2025.

“It’s a three-hour show when they move back to Netflix,” Meltzer said. “Yeah, I got it confirmed a few minutes ago. The basic situation is — it was a USA Network call, not a WWE call.”

Raw’s current TV deal expires at the end of September, but WWE and USA Network reached a deal to keep the show on USA for three months until the Netflix move. This period will be the first time Raw has not been three hours since 2012.

The date for Raw’s Netflix premiere episode is Monday, January 6.

WWE SmackDown aired its final Fox episode last week and will be back on USA Network this Friday, returning to the channel for the first time since 2019. A new TV deal for WWE NXT also goes into effect soon. Including tonight, NXT has three more episodes on USA Network before moving to The CW at the start of October.

Wrestling Observer Live: AEW Dynamite recap, ‘Mr. McMahon’ trailer

Posted on by Mike Sempervive

Image: Netflix

With Bryan out watching 1970s wrestling for research, Mike Sempervive talks about the trailer release for the upcoming Netflix docuseries on Vince McMahon, Scott D’Amore’s new company, an update on the CM Punk cardboard box, last night’s AEW Dynamite, and more!

It’s a fun show as always, so check it out~!

Click Here for the Commercial-free Download (subscription required)

Netflix releases official trailer for ‘Mr. McMahon’ docuseries

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Ahead of its September 25 premiere, Netflix has released the official trailer for its “Mr. McMahon” docuseries.

Interviews with Vince McMahon himself, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, John Cena, Bruce Prichard, Eric Bischoff, Jimmy Hart, Bret Hart, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, and The Ringer’s David Shoemaker are included in the trailer.

“People have wondered who I really am. You know, the portrayal of me is I’m a bad guy, but no one really knows me,” McMahon says as the trailer opens.

WWE’s rise, the 1994 steroid trial, Chris Benoit’s double murder-suicide, and Janel Grant’s sexual abuse allegations against McMahon are among the topics that will be covered. Grant was not interviewed for the series, though producers did reach out to her.

The docuseries is produced by sports media personality Bill Simmons and “Tiger King” executive producer Chris Smith. It features six one-hour episodes that will all be available to watch on September 25 when the series debuts.

Netflix has been developing this docuseries since 2020, with the project evolving along the way given the allegations made against McMahon. He resigned from WWE this January after Grant’s lawsuit was filed. The interviews with McMahon were conducted prior to his resignation.

The premiere of the documentary comes just a few months before WWE Raw moves to Netflix in January 2025. WWE does not have a production credit on the “Mr. McMahon” series.

Wrestling Observer Live: Lawsuits, NXT refusing to identify anyone, Vince on Netflix

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with YOUR HOSTS BRYAN ALVAREZ AND MIKE SEMPERVIVE is back today with tons to talk about including NXT’s complete inability to identify anyone and why it’s so infuriating, the Dynamite line-up which is also somewhat non-existent, ratings, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Right Click Save As

We’re Live, Pal: ‘Mr. McMahon’ Netflix docuseries, AEW All Out preview

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

It’s another episode of We’re Live, Pal, which is also available for free on YouTube below as Andrew Zarian talk about what’s going on in wrestling today.

We kicked off the show hemming and hawing about the latest information on the potential new AEW TV rights deal with WBD.

We then talked about the “Mr. McMahon” documentary Netflix series which is being released in a few weeks, and how WWE should prepare to treat this as a crisis management situation.

We quickly recapped last Sunday’s WWE Bash in Berlin before looking at the AEW All Out matches announced for this Saturday so far.

You can also follow the show account on X.

For website subscribers, you can click here to listen (sub needed).

Premiere date confirmed for WWE Raw on Netflix

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Raw’s next move has a date.

During Saturday’s Bash in Berlin press conference in Germany, Cody Rhodes officially announced that the premiere date for Raw on Netflix would be on January 6. WWE will continue to air on USA through the rest of 2024 after a deal was reached earlier this year.

Raw’s move comes as all three of WWE’s brands are set to air on different networks. SmackDown will air for the final time on Fox next Friday, as they will return to USA starting on September 13. NXT will leave USA for the CW starting on October 1.

WWE has also been shuffling their announce teams ahead of the moves. Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett will begin calling Raw this Monday, while Michael Cole and Corey Graves will be the SmackDown announce team. Pat McAfee, who left the Raw commentary team earlier this month to cover college football on ESPN, will return to Raw for their debut on Netflix.