January 1 is Going to Be the End of an Era for WWE

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January 1 is Going to Be the End of an Era for WWE

Key Takeaways

  • WWE Network will be shut down on January 1, 2025, as Netflix becomes the new home for WWE content.
  • Fans in the US will continue watching most WWE content on Peacock.
  • The exception will be Monday Night Raw, which will start airing on Netflix in the US beginning January 6.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of wrestling fandom under my belt, I must say that the announcement of WWE coming to Netflix is both bittersweet and exciting. On one hand, it’s sad to see the WWE Network, which was a staple for many years, come to an end. It was more than just a streaming service; it was a community, a place where wrestling fans from all over the world could gather and celebrate their shared love for sports entertainment.

As of January 1st, the WWE Network will no longer be operational, marking the end of an era for this streaming service that debuted in 2014. Priced at $9.99 per month, it provided a rich archive of classic WWE content to its subscribers and broadcast live events such as WrestleMania and original programming.

For several years, WWE streaming content found its home on the WWE Network. However, this shifted for U.S. viewers in 2021 when WWE signed a new agreement with Peacock. This deal led to the closure of the WWE Network within the U.S., and many of its shows moved over to Peacock. Globally, access to the WWE Network has remained, but this will change on January 1, 2025.

Starting from January 1, 2025, WWE’s new partnership with streaming giant Netflix kicks in. From this date, viewers outside the U.S. will need a Netflix account to watch their favorite WWE content, as Netflix becomes the go-to platform for Monday Night Raw, SmackDown, and NXT episodes in their respective regions. Additionally, it will showcase “top moments” from the WWE brand, along with “historic PLEs” (Pay-Per-View events) and selected programming. On the same day, many users will see the WWE Network disappear, although some countries might retain access beyond January 1. However, it won’t be long before the WWE Network fades away entirely, and fans will need to subscribe to Netflix instead.

WWE is Coming to Netflix

  • Monday Night Raw (including new episodes)
  • SmackDown (outside the US)
  • NXT (outside the US)
  • All PLEs (outside the US)
  • Other select programming

American WWE fans can expect some changes in their viewing experience. For now, most WWE content will continue on Peacock, while Monday Night Raw will move to Netflix starting from January 6. The premiere episode promises an exciting lineup with John Cena, Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Bianca Belair, and a guest appearance by Travis Scott. As the current contract between WWE and Peacock concludes, it’s likely that all WWE content on Peckock will eventually be transferred to Netflix as well.

Some fans may be pleased that WWE content is headed to Netflix, as this could mean fewer subscription services needed. However, others might feel sad about the demise of the WWE Network, which revolutionized WWE when it first launched and significantly altered its landscape for years. Undeniably, this marks the end of an era; yet, there’s a lot of anticipation to see what WWE will achieve during its Netflix period starting next year.

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2024-11-25 22:33