Erik BeastonJanuary 7, 2025
- WWE/Getty Images
- WWE made its long-awaited debut on Netflix Monday night with a star-studded lineup befitting its biggest premium live event offerings, headlined by CM Punk vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins and Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa.
- What went down in the company’s maiden voyage with the streaming giant and what does it mean as it embarks on the road to the Royal Rumble?
- Find out with this recap, including grades and analysis for every segment.
- Announced in advance for the monumental show are:
- Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. CM Punk
- Jey Uso vs. Drew McIntyre
- Women’s World Championship Match: Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan (c)
- Tribal Combat: Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa
- Appearances from: John Cena, The Rock, Logan Paul, and Hulk Hogan
- WWE/Getty Images
- The Netflix Era of WWE kicked off Monday night with an incredible cold open video package telling the story of professional wrestling before Triple H took center stage. He welcomed fans to the show before pyro erupted around him.
- From there, The Rock entered the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles to a thunderous ovation.
- The Great One took to the squared circle for a promo in which he thanked Netflix executives, Cody Rhodes, and Roman Reigns in a promo that was interesting only because it never felt like a guy continuing the Final Boss character we last saw on the Raw After WrestleMania 40.
WWE @WWE
IF YA SMELL… 😤🤨<br><br>The Final Boss is BACK on <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/RawOnNetflix?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#RawOnNetflix</a>! <a href=”https://t.co/sbzmCdle2C”>pic.twitter.com/sbzmCdle2C</a>
- Whether the crowd-pandering and catchphrases were meant to be a diversion to distract from the creative plans remains to be seen but this felt out of character considering what we saw from Rock less than a year ago.
- An interesting start to the show that capitalized on the Hollywood megastar’s name value but did not necessarily do so in a way that was true to the overarching narrative that began on the road to WrestleMania last year.
- The overall grade here, though, is a positive one for the extraordinary presentation and production at the top of this show.
- Top Moments and Takeaways
- Rock announced that tonight’s show is the largest arena gate in WWE history.
- The Great One thanked Rhodes, with no tension or dismay between them. Interesting given the last time we witnessed them on television together.
- Rock acknowledged Roman Reigns as the only Tribal Chief. Also interesting.
- Credit: WWE.com
- With the ula fala and status as the undisputed Tribal Chief on the line, Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa settled their differences Monday night in Tribal Combat.
- A match dominated by Sikoa for its majority descended into chaos late with interference from Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu, then countered by Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso. From there, Kevin Owens attempted to avenge years of frustration by dropping the babyface with a stunner, only for Cody Rhodes to make the save.
WWE @WWE
WE’VE GOT COMPANY!!!<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/RawOnNetflix?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#RawOnNetflix</a> <a href=”https://t.co/YNnPhGYSD3″>pic.twitter.com/YNnPhGYSD3</a>
- From there, Reigns dodged a Samoan Spike and delivered one last spear for the win.
- This had a slow start but once we came back from the second break, this was a ton of fun. It was an Attitude Era-esque brawl with logical run-ins, story advancement, and a crowd-pleasing finish. A great way to kick off this Netflix run that highlighted the biggest star and two of the biggest stories in the company.
WWE @WWE
We ACKNOWLEDGE this! 👆👆👆<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/RawOnNetflix?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#RawOnNetflix</a> <a href=”https://t.co/en5VtHQwGB”>pic.twitter.com/en5VtHQwGB</a>
- After the match, The Rock emerged from the locker room and placed the ula fala around the neck of the undisputed Tribal Chief. Anyone expecting a beatdown or a betrayal by Heyman was proven wrong as Rock stood back and watched the victor celebrate.
- Top Moments and Takeaways
- The fans in LA chanted profanities at Sikoa and you could hear every word. Netflix is a different beast for WWE.
- Sikoa delivered a wicked spinning uranage to Reigns, onto the announce table, and seized control of the match. He followed up by tossing the ring stairs directly in Reigns’ face.
- “Live on 80 percent of the earth,” Pat McAfee said on commentary, an absolutely enormous number when you think about it.
- Great near-fall off a superkick, Helluva Kick, and spear from Reigns after a referee was late arriving. Sikoa kicked out at two to the disbelief of the crowd.
- Credit: WWE.com
- John Cena will kick off his farewell tour by entering the Royal Rumble on February 2, with the intent to win it and pursue his historic 17th world title, he revealed Monday night in his return to WWE.
- The Greatest of All Time hit the ring to a deafening pop and hinted that he did not believe a championship was possible, citing his long winless streak of the last several years.
- It was all a setup to announce his entry in to the annual 30-man spectacle, with a WrestleMania main event awaiting the man who emerges victoriously.
- And with that, the Rumble means that much more. Not only is it Cena’s last Rumble, it is his first chance to earn a championship opportunity and etch his name in the history books as the most prolific champion in pro wrestling history.
- That is a story that tells itself, in a landscape full of other ongoing programs, rivalries, and feuds.
- Cena is about to take the WWE Universe on a ride full of highs, lows, emotions, and hopefully, one last championship reign.
- Top Moments and Takeaways
- The latest teaser video confirmed that Penta is on his way.
- “Damn, there’s people everywhere!” Cena exclaimed.
- “Guys, LA is where The Prototype was born. LA is where I won my first WWE Championship.”
- “You deserve it” chants from the crowd to Cena as he discusses becoming a record-breaking 17-time champion. It is a testament to his tireless efforts that he turned that crowd, once hostile toward him, to one supporting one last title run from the future Hall of Famer.
- “As far as a 17th championship is concerned, it’s never gonna happen.”
- “I should play, right? I should be in the Rumble!”
- “The only time we say ‘never’ around here is when we say ‘never give up.'”
