23 January 2024 , 14:56
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Netflix viewers should get ready to rumble with excitement - as the streaming giant has exclusively bagged pro-wrestling's most popular weekly show WWE Raw.
From January next year, the service will be the only place you'll get to see it, after more than three decades of the grapple-fest being broadcast globally on TV. Subscribers outside the US will also get to see all live events and WWE shows, including pay-per-view specials Royal Rumble, WrestleMania and SummerSlam.
Bosses of TKO - the firm formed when WWE merged with UFC, have said the deal would initially affect fans in the UK, USA, Canada and Latin America before being rolled out to other countries. Launching in 1993, WWE Raw is is the longest-running weekly, episodic television show in history - with a staggering 1,600 episodes.
Usually broadcast live, it currently airs in the UK on TNT Sport and on USA Network in the US, where it comfortably occupies the top spot, attracting some 17.5m weekly viewers. Nick Khan, WWE President, said: "We believe Netflix, as one of the world's leading entertainment brands, is the ideal long-term home for Raw's live, loyal, and ever-growing fan base."
A statement by WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) added: “As part of the agreement, Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the US 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.”
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Hundreds of wrestling fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to express their delight at the news - and are counting down the days to stream such stars as Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins.
@TripleOSmoooth: "LETS GOOOOOOOO OH MY GOSH!!!! Triple H the goat."
@Seowaris: "WWE Raw and Netflix What an amazing combination. A huge entertainment platform covering an amazing event".
@sweeet_lovel: "Fantastic and mind-blowing".
@itsalex95: "This makes me very happy".
@curlysworldd: "2024 is getting wild"
@ericsalinas: "So… they can be themselves and swear again because it will no longer be TV?"
@olympiclash: "I'll finally be able to watch RAW!"
@MattNelson02: "Congratulations on the merger of #RAWNetflix can’t wait for next yr very huge."
@aj4rhea: "This may be the best thing that’s ever happened."
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