WWE RAW is slated to be launched on the streaming service Netflix come January 2025, a historic move considering how the show has been cable television exclusive since its debut broadcast in 1993.
On a more recent episode of the “SI Media Podcast,” the conversation delved into RAW’s move to Netflix and the opportunities it presents for WWE Superstars. Pro-wrestler CM Punk shared his perspective on the matter.
Punk didn’t mince his words when he said, “I’m of the opinion that we are pushing boundaries at this moment, and it’s not helpful to use Netflix as an excuse to use explicit language. When everyone starts cursing or displaying hostility, it starts losing meaning. Similarly, if each episode features someone being injured or falling off a building, it’s charm wears off. The excitement surrounding Netflix, in my opinion, should stem from the massive audience we now have access to. It’s difficult for many to comprehend what this deal with Netflix implies for a WWE wrestler. WWE wrestling has been broadcast by USA Network for years, with Raw being a constant presence. The shift to a streaming platform is significant. I have the Netflix app on my phone, not the USA Network’s one, which I believe might be the case worldwide. With the global reach of Netflix, we’re about to capture diverse markets across the globe, and that’s what truly excites me. Nonetheless, clear guidelines and some amount of restraint are still necessary. Several fans seem to assume that shifting to Netflix would mean a higher level of explicit content. Perhaps our content could be slightly edgier, but some of the things that struck people as odd, like referring to a hospital as a medical facility, are all history now. For me, it’s Netflix’s potential outreach that seems most promising.”
In related news, USA Network is set to be the new home for Friday Night SmackDown starting October, while NXT’s weekly TV show is poised for a transition to The CW Network later within the calendar year.