Netflix and WWE have announced that the debut episode of "Raw" on Netflix got off to a remarkable start. The Monday night program garnered 4.9 million Live+1 views globally. This strong performance highlights the program's widespread appeal and sets a high benchmark for future episodes.
In the United States, the inaugural event on Netflix averaged 2.6 million households (Live+SD), as reported by VideoAmp. This figure represents a 116% increase compared to RAW’s average U.S. audience of 1.2 million households in 2024 and surpasses any other Monday Night RAW broadcast from the past five years. Additionally, the debut episode more than doubled the A18-49 audience compared to last year, showcasing its growing appeal among key demographics.
WWE’s presence on social media reached new heights during the Netflix premiere of RAW. The company generated an astounding 223 million social views across platforms on the day of the event, making it the most-watched RAW episode of 2024 in terms of social engagement. This level of digital buzz underscores the significant impact of RAW’s transition to Netflix.
The debut episode, held at the sold-out Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, set multiple records for WWE. It became the highest-grossing WWE arena event of all time and achieved record-breaking merchandise sales, making it the highest-grossing non-Premium Live Event in the company’s history. These milestones reflect both the enthusiasm of the live audience and the broader reach achieved through Netflix.
The event itself featured several high-profile matches and appearances. Rhea Ripley reclaimed the Women’s World Championship by defeating Liv Morgan, while Roman Reigns emerged victorious over Solo Sikoa in a tribal combat match. CM Punk triumphed over Seth “Freakin” Rollins in a highly anticipated grudge match, and Jey Uso secured a win against Drew McIntyre. The night also included appearances by prominent figures such as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, The Undertaker, Logan Paul, Travis Scott, and John Cena. Cena, notably, used the occasion to kick off his year-long farewell tour, which will be prominently featured on Netflix.
This historic debut follows the landmark deal struck in January 2024 between WWE and Netflix. Beginning in 2025, Netflix became the exclusive home of WWE’s flagship weekly program, RAW, across territories including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Latin America. In addition to RAW, Netflix holds exclusive rights to SmackDown, NXT, archive content, and all WWE Premium Live Events — such as WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam — in most international markets. This partnership marks a transformative moment for WWE, expanding its reach and setting the stage for continued success on a global scale.
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