Photo: Raw (left) and SmackDown (right)
As Netflix and WWE enter a fascinating new era and partnership, one of the big differences we’ll see is that Raw will air exclusively on the streaming service for the first time in its history. In the meantime, SmackDown will remain on USA Network. So what difference do you see?
Exciting times lie ahead for WWE, with Raw premiering exclusively on Netflix in January 2025. We’re already expecting to see a lot of bold new changes, but how will Raw differentiate itself from rival SmackDown?
With fewer restrictions, will Raw be unshackled? Will we see a return to mature content like it was in the late 90s? Will this propel Raw and Smackdown to bold new heights and reignite the brand rivalry that fans loved throughout the 2000s? Let’s find out.
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On July 23, 2012, Raw switched to a permanent three-hour format on USA Network. Still, as Raw’s time on USA Network is running out before its move to Netflix, a short-term deal was struck between WWE and USA Network to continue airing the series through the remainder of 2024. – Term contract now includes Raw, reducing run time from 3 hours to 2 hours.
Meanwhile, Smackdown, which recently returned to USA Network after four years on FOX, has increased its airtime from two to three hours. However, this three-hour format is only temporary, and the program is scheduled to return to two hours from mid-May 2025.
It’s still unclear whether Raw will return to three formats, but recent reports say the show will run for at least two hours and “closer to three.” This means that without network restrictions, each show can run Raw for as long as it needs to.
Photo: Damian Priest on Raw – WWE/TKO Holdings
Pro wrestling fans will be familiar with the number of ad breaks featured heavily throughout Raw and Smackdown. Although fans are used to this, ad breaks often come in the middle of the action and occur frequently during wrestling matches. During ad breaks, the pace of the wrestling match slows down significantly, and attendees are expected to see wrestlers going back and forth in various rest holds, such as headlocks and submission maneuvers.
However, Raw is only streamed on ad-free networks for standard and premium subscribers. This means that for the first time in Raw’s history, the action will not be interrupted by ad breaks. In theory, this would mean that wrestlers would be less likely, or certainly less necessary, to use rest holds to prolong their matches. It remains to be seen how this will affect the average length of a wrestling match. Still, it will be a great opportunity for RAW’s talented wrestlers to showcase even more intense and fast-paced matches than those previously seen during the promotion on USA Network.
As for SmackDown, the promotion will continue on the USA Network, so viewers outside the United States who only stream on Netflix may see a noticeable difference in the intensity and pace of the matches between Raw and SmackDown. there is.
Photo: SmackDown Bloodline – WWE/TKO Holdings
It’s more mature when it’s raw
Raw will be distributed on the streaming service Netflix, which removes the limitations of network television and gives you even more opportunities to explore more mature content.
Photo: Shawn Michaels (bottom) and Triple H (top) of D-Generation X, one of the most popular factions in WWE history known for pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable on television – WWE
We’re not suggesting that Raw will move to an R rating or mature rating anytime soon. However, it provides the creative team and wrestlers with an opportunity to explore themes not seen since the Attitude era. Simple examples include avoiding crowds and swearing, participating in chants that include swearing, using knives, and allowing blood to be shown on the screen. We also see more mature themes in the storytelling.
Given what WWE has done in the past to distance itself from a time when female wrestlers and on-screen talent were sexually abused and exploited, don’t expect to see any risqué content any time soon. yeah.
Photo: Stone Cold Steve Austin, the face of WWE’s Attitude Era in the late ’90s – WWE
Is Raw better than Smackdown?
That remains to be seen. But considering what Raw is offering viewers (no ads, more mature content, two hours of screen time), it’s hard not to think that Raw will return to being WWE’s most popular brand .
Photo: Survivor Series, where SmackDown and Raw face off for brand supremacy. – WWE
As the saying goes, the tide lifts all boats. So, I’d like to think that the more successful Raw is on Netflix, the more Smackdown will go the extra mile to provide viewers with an equally engaging show.
Exciting times are ahead for WWE and Netflix.
How will this affect viewership?
As of Q3 2024, Netflix had approximately 282.7 million paid members worldwide. There are 66.7 million Netflix subscribers in the United States, accounting for nearly a quarter of the total subscriber base.
Both domestically and globally, Raw’s move to Netflix presents an opportunity to dramatically grow the product. The streaming service releases weekly viewership numbers for its World Top 10 list, and Raw is expected to be a near-permanent fixture on the Top 10 list starting in January 2025.
At the time of writing, smack down is currently the most popular of the two brands and continues to outperform Raw in Nielsen ratings. However, because of Netflix’s partnership with Nielsen, Raw’s move to a streaming service should not affect the company’s ability to report viewership for Raw. Smackdown isn’t available on Netflix in the US, so it’s no surprise that the show falls behind RAW on the global top 10 list.
At the very least, millions of current, new, and returning fans are expected to flock to Netflix to check out Raw’s new look. This means that Smackdown’s dominance in ratings won’t last long.
what do you think? What changes do you think we’ll see on Raw on Netflix compared to SmackDown? Let us know in the comments below.
