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WWE likes to tout its famous Monday Night Raw as the “longest-running weekly episodic television show of all-time.”
But that label is set to change slightly starting in 2025.
The company announced a massive 10-year, $5 billion deal to move to Netflix beginning in 2023.
“Beginning in January 2025, Netflix will be the exclusive new home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America, among other territories, with additional countries and regions to be added over time,” WWE said in a press release. “Likewise, as part of the agreement, Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. as available, inclusive of Raw and WWE’s other weekly shows – SmackDown and NXT – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. WWE’s award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025. ”
The move is a massive investment for Netflix, which has tried repeatedly to enter the world of live “sports.”
Though its last foray into the sports world didn’t exactly go so well.
It’s also a massive move for WWE. Monday Night Raw has been on cable television since January 11, 1993.
The Rock Joins TKO Holdings Board Ahead Of WWE Raw Move To Streaming
The shakeup comes at an interesting time as well.
Legendary owner Vince McMahon sold the company to the the Endeavor Group in 2023. The group then formed TKO Holdings, a subsidiary which oversees both the WWE and the UFC.
Former WWE superstar turned megastar actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently joined a board member of TKO
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has been appointed as a board member for TKO — the parent company of WWE and UFC.
As part of the deal, he will receive $30 million in stock AND full ownership of his trademarked name "The Rock."
Hell of a deal and a big morning for WWE fans. pic.twitter.com/wddhnZueGR
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) January 23, 2024
Johnson likely had little say in WWE moving Raw to Netflix. But he clearly has a knack for business and is a pivotal figure in the pro wrestling world.
As part of the deal, The Rock landed stock options and the trademark rights to the name. (WWE typically retains all rights to their on screen names unless a wrestlers enters the company with the name)
Whether the move to streaming works out is yet to be seen. But $5 billion over 10 years is a quite the chunk of change.