Monday nights are now a lot edgier. The iconic Raw, WWE’s flagship weekly show, has jumped from cable to streaming, kicking off its Netflix era in early 2025. The move is paying off—Raw is currently the second most-watched show on Netflix US, drawing thousands of fans each week. With star-studded appearances, surprise returns, and nonstop action, the show isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a bold new chapter in sports entertainment. Here’s everything you need to know about Raw, from format to key stars and behind-the -scenes details. The trailer is at the bottom of the article.
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Raw – all the key details
- Title: Raw
- Format: Series (weekly live television show)
- Length / Runtime: Approximately 3 hours per episode in its traditional format; runtime may vary in streaming.
- Genre: Sports entertainment / Professional wrestling
- Country of production: United States
- Original language: English
- Release date: First aired January 11, 1993; streaming debut on Netflix January 6, 2025.
- Creator / Producer: WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment)
- Lead cast: wrestlers/superstars including Cody Rhodes, Bianca Belair, CM Punk among many
- Produced by: WWE Studios / WWE Network / now in partnership with Netflix for streaming rights
What Raw is about
Since its debut in 1993, Raw has been WWE’s flagship weekly show, packed with live matches, dramatic storylines, backstage moments, surprise returns, and high-stakes title chases. It combines athleticism, soap-opera drama, and spectacle, appealing to fans across generations. Now on Netflix, the show keeps all the action and drama fans love, but with a bigger focus on long-term story arcs and global accessibility. WWE is turning Raw into more than a weekly program—it’s becoming a year-round live event for the streaming era.
The main characters
Among the most prominent figures in recent episodes on Netflix are some of WWE’s biggest stars. Cody Rhodes continues to anchor top-tier storylines on Raw, while Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley deliver standout matches and feuds that deepen the show’s appeal and highlight its top female talent. CM Punk adds buzz and unpredictability with surprise returns and major story arcs. The roster changes week to week, often featuring surprise appearances and cross-brand guests, keeping each episode dynamic. Because these are real athletes performing as characters, major title wins, career milestones, and live audience reactions drive much of the show’s momentum.
Is Raw based on a true story?
Raw is a live performance-based sports entertainment product. While the events and feuds are scripted for entertainment, the wrestlers are real, the athleticism is real, and the weekly broadcast draws from decades of WWE history. The show uses its own continuing mythology and live-event format.
Where is Raw filmed?
Raw is filmed in various live arenas across the United States. For the Netflix debut era, the first episode under the Netflix banner aired live from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. The touring nature of the show means that filming locations change weekly depending on the schedule of stops and venues.
Behind the scenes
WWE’s move to Netflix is a game-changer. Starting January 2025, the company’s flagship weekly show will stream exclusively in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Latin America under a reported 10-year deal worth over $5 billion. Early episodes broke viewership records, proving fans are just as excited for streaming as they were for cable. The shift also gives producers more freedom: runtime, pacing, and commercial breaks can now be tailored for a global streaming audience. Fans and forums are buzzing about the changes, from fewer interruptions to a faster, more dynamic format. This isn’t just a move—it’s one of the biggest live entertainment transitions to streaming ever.
Release date on streaming
Raw is available on Netflix starting Juanuary 6, 2025.
