Tag: WWE On Netflix

WWE Raw on Netflix viewership for September 8 revealed

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: WWE

After a record low the week before, the Monday, September 8 episode of WWE Raw on Netflix brought in 2.6 million global views to go with 5.1 million global hours viewed through its first seven days, according to the Netflix weekly Tudum report.

The global views are up slightly from the previous week’s 2.4 million while the global hours viewed were virtually identical to the previous week (5.2 million).

The show came days after the buzzworthy AJ Lee return on the previous Friday’s WWE SmackDown which also saw the John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar match for Wrestlepalooza confirmed. Lee, CM Punk, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch were all on the show. It was Lee’s first Raw appearance in a decade.

The show was also up against the NFL season debut of Monday Night Football.

Raw Viewership Details:

  • Raw was again eighth globally overall for the week and sixth overall in the United States, down from last week’s fifth.
  • The show had a much shorter listed runtime (1:48) than the previous week (2:06), hurting the global hours viewed number.
  • It was in the top ten for 14 countries including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico, and India.
  • For the last ten weeks, Raw has averaged 2.69 million global views and 5.38 million global hours viewed.

Raw Show Notes:

Other than the aforementioned Lee segment, Raw featured Bronson Reed vs. LA Knight, the Usos kicking off the show, Asuka vs. Nikki Bella, and more.

Last 10 weeks of WWE Raw on Netflix ratings/viewership:

Episode dateGlobal ViewsGlobal Hours
September 8, 20252.6 million5.1 million
September 1, 20252.4 million5.2 million
August 25, 20252.6 million5.0 million
August 18, 20252.8 million5.4 million
August 11, 20252.8 million5.3 million
August 4, 20253.0 million6.1 million
July 28, 20252.7 million5.5 million
July 21, 20252.7 million5.7 million
July 14, 20252.7 million5.4 million
July 7, 20252.6 million5.1 million
Average for last 10 weeks:2.69 million5.38 million

Netflix first half viewership report reveals interesting WWE statistics

Posted on by Josh Nason

Netflix released viewing statistics for the first half of 2025 on Friday, showing what viewers watched worldwide for over 7500 shows and specials.

That, of course, includes WWE programming for the first time ever. With WWE’s deal with the streaming giant kicking off in January, the report displayed information for 161 different entries ranging from weekly episodes of Raw (worldwide), SmackDown (not in the U.S.) and NXT (also not in the U.S.) in addition to several PLEs (not in the U.S.) and archived shows (worldwide).

Netflix specifically mentioned WWE in the initial release, noting WWE content has more than 280 million viewing hours in the first half of the year. They also noted that two-thirds of their members are outside the U.S.

Global Views

Raw dominated the top 23 WWE entries with all episodes in their top 32, highlighted by the show’s January kickoff with 6.9 million views.

Somewhat surprisingly, the first non-Raw show listed was January’s Royal Rumble with three million views, beating out both the second night of WrestleMania 41 (2.8 million) and night one (2.4 million views). One reason that could be: the Rumble was the first-ever PLE to be made available on Netflix.

Elimination Chamber (1.9 million), Money in the Bank (1.6 million) and Night of Champions (1 million) followed closely behind while SmackDown dominated spots 33 through 57 followed by several NXT PLEs, NXT TV, and WWE archive content.

The critically acclaimed limited series Adolescence nabbed the top spot with 144.8 million views with the Raw debut ranking at 261st on the overall list.

Global Hours Watched

The aforementioned Raw debut topped their rankings with a whopping 20 million hours viewed followed by the Royal Rumble (13.3 million), the second night of WrestleMania 41 (10.2 million), two episodes of Raw (9.6 million), and the first night of WrestleMania 41 (9.6 million).

Raw episodes dominated the rest of their own top 30 with the exceptions of Elimination Chamber (6.7 million) and Money in the Bank (5.2 million). There was a big drop from that PLE to Night of Champions (2.8 million).

By comparison, the second season of Squid Game was no. 1 with 840,300,000 viewing hours while the first Netflix edition of Raw ranked 868th overall.

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Domestically, SmackDown remains on USA Network for the next few years while WWE’s contract with Peacock for both PLEs and archive content expires in March 2026.

WWE Raw on Netflix June 23 viewership data revealed

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: WWE

The Monday, June 23rd episode of WWE Raw on Netflix brought in 2.6 million global views and 5.2 million global hours viewed through its first seven days, according to their weekly Tudum report.

When compared to the first seven days for the June 16th Raw, the global views number is slightly down (2.7 million global views) while the global hours viewed is slightly up (5.0 million).

The global views are its lowest since the May 26th episode while the global hours views are the second-highest since May 12th.

The listed runtime of 1:52 minutes was slightly up from the previous week’s 1:47.

It was fourth for the week in the U.S. and hit the Top Ten in six countries (United States, Canada, Mexico, Bolivia, Bahrain and Sri Lanka).

Dave Meltzer’s analysis of these numbers are now available for subscribers.

Competition & Show Notes:

  • In the U.S., the show was not up against any major sports competition with the NBA Finals concluding the night before.
  • Raw featured the semifinals of the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments which saw Cody Rhodes vs. Jey Uso and Jade Cargill vs. Roxanne Perez.

Last 10 weeks of WWE Raw on Netflix ratings/viewership:

Episode dateGlobal ViewsGlobal Hours
June 23, 20252.6 million5.2 million
June 16, 20252.7 million5.0 million
June 9, 20252.9 million6.1 million
June 2, 20252.7 million5.0 million
May 26, 20252.6 million4.8 million
May 19, 20252.7 million5.0 million
May 12, 20252.7 million5.1 million
May 5, 20252.8 million5.7 million
April 28, 20253.0 million5.8 million
April 21, 20253.6 million8.7 million
Last 10-week average:2.83 million5.64 million

WWE SmackDown Netflix live broadcast delayed due to power outage

Posted on by Josh Nason

This story has been updated.

Friday’s live WWE SmackDown on Netflix was delayed for nearly 40 minutes due to a power issue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Cody Rhodes kicked off the show which started at 1 PM Eastern on the streaming giant. Before he could begin, Randy Orton interrupted and started talking about the Rhodes vs. Jey Uso King of the Ring semifinal when the feed went out.

The show was then paused in the Kingdom Arena, resuming around 2 PM Eastern. PWInsider reported a power loss in Riyadh “affected WWE’s entire production including the control room and the gorilla position.” The issue had nothing to do with Netflix.

WWE is in Saudi Arabia for Saturday’s Night of Champions in addition to Friday’s SmackDown.

WWE initially posted the following on X at 1:33 PM Eastern:

“To our international audiences watching #SmackDown on Netflix: We apologize for any technical difficulties and should be back up and running shortly.”

And then the following at 2:01 PM Eastern:

“#SmackDown on Netflix is back up and running, and you’ll see it in its entirety!”

The show will air in its normal time slot at 8 PM on USA Network for U.S. viewers.

WWE WrestleMania 41 misses Netflix global top ten, Raw April 14 global views up slightly

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Image: WWE

Neither night of WWE WrestleMania 41 finished in the top ten on Netflix for the week, which would mean each show did less than 2,700,000 views and likely less than 3,700,000 total viewers outside the United States.

However, while this would figure most viewers for the Saturday show, it may not include Sunday show viewers completely and the Sunday show may make next week’s chart.

The Royal Rumble did crack the top ten, but it did 2,100,000 views as it was an easier week. The Elimination Chamber did not.  For PLE events, the total views do not include the U.S., since the show is on Peacock. For viewership that is listed through Monday, the Saturday Mania was No. 4 for the week in the United Kingdom among English language television shows.

WWE Raw on Netflix viewership for April 14

The 4/14 Raw show, the show before WrestleMania, is listed at 5,600,000 viewer hours and 2,900,000 total views, but once again, to do that would mean almost nobody watched live. The show was shorter than the previous week, but based on people watching both live and not live, that would work out to 2,547,000 viewers and 3,489,000 total viewers with the idea of 1.37 viewers per viewing, which may be a high estimate for streaming.

Click here to read the numbers for the April 14th Raw and insight into the WrestleMania data.

‘WWE Unreal’ Netflix docuseries debuting this summer

Posted on by Josh Nason

The WWE’s answer to Netflix’s Drive to Survive is now a reality in more ways than one.

Announced during Sunday’s WrestleMania 41, a docuseries called WWE Unreal will debut this summer and will focus on all things backstage including a look inside the writer’s room, according to Michael Cole.

Ever since last year’s announcement of the multi-year deal between WWE and Netflix, the creation of a docuseries akin to Drive to Survive that launched the Formula 1 racing series to new heights was publicly discussed. The series just finished its seventh season.

Netflix also has a golf-focused docuseries called Full Swing entering its fourth season, and The Clubhouse, a new Major League Baseball docuseries focused on the 2024 Boston Red Sox season.

No details about the series were revealed. By comparison, The Clubhouse was eight episodes, Full Swing was either seven or eight per season, and Drive to Survive has ten episodes per season.

Ari Emanuel says WWE ‘numbers are up’ on Netflix, ‘thrilled’ with relationship

Posted on by Josh Nason

The early stages of the WWE and Netflix relationship have both sides very happy according to TKO head Ari Emanuel.

Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday, Emanuel was asked about how things have gone in the first month of WWE Raw debuting on Netflix domestically and the entire WWE televised & archive universe internationally.

Emanuel said the Netflix team are “incredible partners” and that “the show is performing.”

“We’re thrilled. I think they’re happy. Numbers are up, really good,” he said, assumed to be referring to Raw’s numbers.

WWE and Netflix embarked on their five-year deal in January that could turn into a much, much longer relationship. Emanuel again told the story of how he and Netflix content head Bela Bajaria had breakfast and initially talked about WWE NXT which then immediately moved to Raw instead.

He said the final deal was done over the Christmas holiday in 2023, finalized during a Zoom call with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos while he was in London. After the deal was done, Emanuel joked he and Mark Shapiro did a jig.

WOL: WWE and AEW new audience, HOBBS, Smackdown

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live is back with a three-man booth edition of the show! Bryan Alvarez, Mike Sempervive and Filthy Tom Lawlor talk WWE and AEW gaining a bunch of new fans this week with their new streaming alternatives, HOBBS NEEDS TO WIN THE AEW TITLE, Smackdown from Friday and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Wrestling Observer Radio: WWE & AEW streaming numbers, The Rock, Kenny Omega

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back with our Friday episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about all the big news from today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Here were some of the things we covered:

  • The passing of Black Bart
  • The SEC and Vince McMahon coming to agreement
  • Streaming numbers for AEW & WWE
  • AEW Dynamite rating
  • The Rock
  • Kenny Omega back on AEW
  • UFC’s new TV deal

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

We’re Live, Pal: WWE Raw is Netflix, Kenny Omega is back

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

It’s another episode of We’re Live, Pal as Andrew Zarian and I talk about what’s going on in wrestling today, available in audio form or free on YouTube (below).

We kicked off the show talking about our break and the new year before discussing the following:

  • WWE Raw debuts on Netflix and if the game has changed yet again
  • What AEW’s competitive advantages are
  • Wrestle Kingdom and Wrestle Dynasty
  • Kenny Omega as the babyface that AEW needs

You can also follow the show account on X.

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

WWE Raw on Netflix debut notes: Celebrities, live gate record, mat sponsors, new ref outfits

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: WWE

With the debut of WWE Raw on Netflix happening in Los Angeles, the turnout of celebrities didn’t disappoint, many of which entered on the red carpet like an awards show.

Various non-wrestling celebrities shown on camera or were in attendance included Travis Scott, Ashton Kutcher, Michael Che, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Wale, Vanessa Hudgens, Bill Simmons, Seth Green, Macaulay Culkin, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Richard Gadd, Tiffany Haddish, Stephen Amell, and Danielle Fishel (Topanga from Boy Meets World) in addition to higher-ups in TKO, WWE and Netflix.

Past wrestlers who were either shown on screen or had parts on the show included Hulk Hogan, Stephanie McMahon, Undertaker, Jimmy Hart, X-Pac, Michelle McCool, and Nikki Bella. Undertaker came out riding a motorcycle as his “American Bad Ass” character following Rhea Ripley’s Women’s World title win over Liv Morgan while Hogan was roundly booed during a live promo he cut in front of the entrance.

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During his promo that opened the show, The Rock said the show set the record for the highest grossing arena event in WWE history, later re-iterated by Michael Cole on commentary. On X, Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston said that gate would have to be over $3 million if the number included international shows.

Monday’s sold-out show emanated from the brand-new Inuit Dome in Los Angeles. Both Cole and Triple H said there were over 17,000 in attendance with WrestleTix’s estimate as the same.

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For the first time in WWE history, the mat (seen above) was full of logos — not quite to the level of their TKO brother UFC but very hard to miss.

As had been previously reported, the video game Fortnite took the center spot along with Riyadh Season (Saudi Arabia), Netflix, longtime sponsors Cricket Wireless and Snickers, and Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer of which WWE is now a minority investor in.

Unlike the new blue SmackDown mat, the Raw mat was black, also a first.

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Even the referees had new outfits which were dark gray with a black collar, two parallel black strips on the left hand side, and the WWE logo on the left chest.

January 6, 2025 Observer Newsletter: WWE Raw wraps up on USA, AEW debuts Max simulcast

Posted on by F4W Staff

Subscribers can now read this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter from Dave Meltzer.

WWE Raw wrapped up its long run on cable TV this past Monday on USA as the company’s flagship show heads to Netflix starting this Monday.

AEW also made their official debut on a streaming service with their simulcast kickoff on Max this past Wednesday.

Dave also recaps last weekend’s AEW Worlds End and previews this weekend’s double dip at the Tokyo Dome, along with the other news of the week.

Get analysis and insight about all that in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Click here to read.

JNPO wrestling year in review series: The grand finale

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: WWE

The final installment of the fourth-ever Josh Nason’s Punch-Out pro wrestling year in review series has arrived with a stop in December.

Joining me is Paul Fontaine, my co-host of the now-departed annual MMA year in review series.

Among the many topics we delve into:

  • The return of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event and prospects for the near future
  • The beginning of the promotional push of WWE to Netflix
  • AEW holds their final pay-per-view of the year with Worlds End
  • Tessa Blanchard makes her return to TNA
  • NJPW builds to a big two-show weekend
  • The rest of the big news in WWE, NXT, AEW, ROH, the indies, and more

Click here to listen

Here’s the rest of the series thus far:

Wrestling Observer Radio: WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event preview, more AEW analysis

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back with our Friday episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about all the big news from today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Here were some of the things we covered:

  • Jesse “The Body” Ventura’s appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast
  • The history of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event notes, memorable moments, and a preview for Saturday’s return show
  • AEW analysis from Dave’s lead WON story
  • First WWE Raw on Netflix news
  • CM Punk’s possible WrestleMania match
  • Charlotte Flair
  • Tessa Blanchard back in TNA

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

WWE Network sets shutdown date as Netflix launch nears

Posted on by Josh Nason

For the majority of international viewers, WWE Network will officially be closed for business on January 1st, 2025, as WWE kicks off their multi-year deal with Netflix.

In an email sent to affected Network subscribers Friday, WWE confirmed the date along with a phrase that has some fans concerned when it comes to archive content.

As previously reported, weekly episodes of Raw, SmackDown & NXT will be available for international Netflix subscribers as well as premium live events. When it comes to the archives, the notice stated “Many of WWE’s top moments, along with historic PLEs and select programming, will be available on Netflix beginning January 1.”

With WWE owning the complete libraries of WCW and ECW in addition to Mid-South Wrestling, AWA, Smoky Mountain Wrestling, WCCW, and plenty of other defunct organizations, the exact availability of that content, in addition to older WWE content, is unknown.

When any remaining international WWE Network deals expire, those regions will also need to view WWE content on Netflix.

For the U.S. audience, Netflix will offer Raw and anticipated shoulder programming starting in January with any PLEs and archive content remaining on Peacock as their contract lasts until 2026.

WWE Network was first launched in February 2014.

Here’s the notice that was sent out:

“On January 1, 2025, WWE Network will no longer be available in your area. After January 1, Netflix will be the new exclusive home of WWE.

Netflix will bring WWE’s electrifying content all to one place, including weekly shows, Monday Night RAW, SmackDown and NXT, PLUS Premium Live Events (PLEs) such as WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam.

Many of WWE’s top moments, along with historic PLEs and select programming, will be available on Netflix beginning January 1.

The premiere live episode of Monday Night RAW on Netflix airing on January 6 will feature some of the biggest names in WWE such as John Cena, Undisputed WWE Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Bianca Belair, in addition to many other Superstars and guests including Travis Scott.

If you are already a Netflix subscriber, you’re all set. If you are not a Netflix subscriber, you will need to subscribe so you don’t miss a moment. We can’t wait for you to experience WWE on Netflix this January.

Sincerely,
WWE Network Support“