Following the conclusion of WWE Bad Blood 2024, a media gathering took place where Paul “Triple H” Levesque, holding the position of WWE Chief Creative Officer, made some enlightening remarks. Topics included the future course of WWE RAW on Netflix, the transition of the show to a two-hour slot on USA Network starting October 7, among others.
Find below excerpts from the post-event press discussion:
On the course of WWE RAW production after joining Netflix: “Unlike many sports, where Netflix gets the broadcast rights but relies on others for content production, we manage both aspects ourselves. We generate the content, and deliver it to the audiences, thereby enabling Netflix simply to transmit it. This complete control sets WWE apart.”
On the complete essence of WWE on the Netflix platform: “Netflix offers us an incredible platform to showcase our performance. Our endeavour is to create an unparalleled spectacle, which would reflect the quintessential WWE at its loudest. We plan to maximize this unique opportunity with Netflix. The aim is to reach across the US with Raw. Further, with SmackDown, NXT, and PLEs, starting January 6, we hope to extend our footprint to 80% of the world.”
On the strenuous efforts behind the Netflix shift: “We are leaving no stone unturned towards making this transition seamless and, at the same time, remarkable. We have high expectations from this move.”
On the runtime of Monday Night RAW on Netflix: “The specifics are still being figured out. However, I can confirm that Raw would reduce to two hours on the USA Network from Oct. 7]. Strangely, this one-hour reduction feels like day and night. While the three-hour show was a wild card, we anticipate a smoother operation with the two-hour format.”
On the new approach towards the two-hour RAW: “The reduced airtime calls for a novel perspective. It might be less, but sometimes less indeed is more. I believe this will be a positive change.”
On the ongoing preparations for RAW’s airing on Netflix: “As we prepare for Netflix, we are still ironing out the logistics. The objective, regardless of the duration, is to provide the best content and tell the most compelling stories. Sometimes we get hung up on the runtime, but the crux of the matter is the quality of the story. Regardless of whether it’s too long or too short, every week we aim to create an engaging narrative within the given timeframe.”