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WWE Week in Review: March 25-31, 2019

Next week is WrestleMania 35! Did the WWE shows help to excite, or further the IWC narrative of being disconnected? Let’s see what Tiffany says about it.

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Chairshot WWE Week In Review

Next week is WrestleMania 35! Did the WWE shows help to excite, or further the IWC narrative of being disconnected? Let’s see what Tiffany says about it.

RAW

Women’s Beat the Clock Match: Uh…Okay, that happened. Seriously, what was the point of doing a ‘Beat the Clock’ match with nothing at stake? And why was the Riott Squad sacrificed for that nonsense? These women are going to be MAIN EVENTING WrestleMania, and they do this two weeks out? Seriously?

Finn Balor vs Bobby Lashley and Jinder Mahal: I’m over this feud, seriously over it. It’s just become bunch of petty nonsense and I hope Balor wins at WrestleMania and WWE separates him and Lashley in the Shake-up. The inclusion of Mahal was just silly, especially since Balor ran circles around Lashley and Mahal.

Elias: I don’t like Elias, but him going around New York and playing guitar was funny.

Aleister Black and Ricochet vs Revival: Black and Ricochet have been making quite a splash as a team on the main roster and they’ve done a great job of helping revitalize the RAW Tag Team Division. I have a feeling that Black and Ricochet will be having a VERY busy WrestleMania weekend after that great match with the Revival.

Drew McIntyre vs Reigns and Ambrose: I’m going to be blunt: I think McIntyre is massively overrated. He has no personality and is an average worker and promo at best. The only difference between the McIntyre ten years ago and McIntyre now is that he put on muscle because he’s every bit as boring now as he was as Mr. McMahon’s hand-picked ‘Chosen One’. So I find him being put with Roman Reigns for WrestleMania a little baffling, however since this match will be Reigns’ first singles match since October, it should be a good one.

On the other hand, the treatment of Dean Ambrose is frustrating. We keep being told that Ambrose is leaving, yet WWE keeps bringing him out and putting him in this feud, fighting McIntyre for Roman and getting beat every time. Why are we building a story for Ambrose if he’s leaving in a couple of weeks?  Make up your minds, WWE.

Women’s Tag Team Division: I think we all knew that the re-emergence of the Divas of Doom and the small number of actual women’s division tag teams meant we were headed for a Fatal Four Way match at WrestleMania, but I’m still concerned about how Beth Phoenix is going to do since it’s been seven years since she’s had an actual match. Hopefully, the other three teams will help cover any issues she might have.

Kurt Angle: The Angle retirement tour keeps on truckin’, but I’m still hoping that Baron Corbin will not be Angle’s final match. Kurt can’t go the way he used to, but I don’t think putting him with Corbin, who isn’t exactly a ring general, is the best way to send Angle into the sunset.

As someone who watched Angle and Samoa Joe in TNA, I had high expectations for this match, and it wasn’t the worst match I ever saw, but it was NOT like what they had in TNA, which was sad, though Joe’s face when Angle beat him on a roll up was very hilarious.

Moment of Bliss: Here we go again. As if Moment of Bliss isn’t cringey enough, we had to add Braun Strowman to the mix, just for added face-palming. I get that WWE is wanting to pull in mainstream people, but putting two SNL guys in the Andre is a dumb move. At least put in athletes that aren’t going to stink up the place.

Baron Corbin vs Apollo Crews: I really wasn’t into this match. The point was to build up Corbin to face Angle, but it just made it look like Crews should be facing Angle, not Corbin. Corbin just looked like a petty wannabe.

Seth Rollins: This was the highlight of the night, as far as I’m concerned. Seth more than held his own against Paul Heyman and watching him stalk down Heyman and vow to go to war for the WWE Universe was just fun. I’m not totally sold that Seth will beat Lesnar at WrestleMania, but he made a damn good argument for it on Monday.

Triple H: A lot has been said about Triple H’s influence on the business, not all of it good, but he was definitely a proud man on Monday when he talked about the RAW Women’s Championship main eventing WrestleMania. Turning his attention to his own WrestleMania match, Triple H did a great job of making Batista look like an entitled chump who didn’t have the guts to face him like a man, but sent a letter with more demands, like Triple H put his own career on the line. I’m not sure what the point was since the whole DX vs Brothers of Destruction storyline showed that career-ending matches aren’t binding in WWE, but it does make it feel like there’s more at stake for Triple H than just kicking Batista’s ass.

SmackDown

Kofi Kingston vs Daniel Bryan: Well, it seems as if this convoluted storyline finally seemed to be getting somewhere. Kofi Kingston seems to finally be getting his title shot, thanks to the New Day’s determination…or is he?

Yes, Vince said that Kofi was going to WrestleMania, but nothing was said about the title shot and Vince is not someone to capitulate as easily as he seemed to have at the end of SmackDown.

The Gauntlet Match Woods and E went through was amazing. The best part was the Usos forfeiting rather than try to cost Kofi his chance at the title shot he’d earned. It was a sign of respect between two teams that have had a lot of wars.

I loved that the babyface locker room came out to celebrate with Kofi, which shows how much genuine respect he has from the locker room.

Charlotte vs Asuka: If there was one major flaw WWE has, it’s the inability to leave things alone and the Charlotte/Asuka SmackDown Women’s Championship Match was one of those instances. I get that they wanted to build Charlotte up since she’s become a third wheel in a feud that doesn’t need her, but screwing over the SmackDown Women’s Division to do it was a stupid move. The match was big enough without throwing the SmackDown Women’s Championship into the mix.

Kurt Angle vs AJ Styles: This was the match I was really looking forward to. Angle and Styles had a great rivalry in TNA and if anyone could coax a good match out of Angle at this stage, it would’ve been Styles, so I was furious that Orton ruined it by interfering, but at least Angle got him back, but it still sucks.

Rey Mysterio: I’m still trying to figure out why Dominic is involved in this feud or how Mysterio got a US Title shot in the first place, but the match should be a good one.

Miz vs Shane McMahon: I honestly wasn’t onboard with Miz vs Shane McMahon at WrestleMania. I just didn’t think it was a big enough match to warrant going to WrestleMania, but they’ve definitely done a good job of building this feud quickly, even if some of the promo was a little ‘uh’. I’m not sure how to feel about Shane in a Falls Count Anywhere match, but he and Miz should have a great match.

205 Live

Lucha House Party vs Party of Gulak and Humberto Carrillo: This was SUCH a great match and continued the storyline of Carrillo not wanting to give up his high-flying style just because Gulak and Gallagher don’t like it. Making the loss Gulak’s fault is interesting.

I’ve said before that a lot about this storyline makes me very uncomfortable, but I can see where this is heading: Gulak and Gallagher keep pushing Carrillo to do things the ‘correct’ way until Carrillo snaps and becomes a huge babyface.

Drake Maverick and the Kanellises: I’m a little disappointed that Mike Kanellis is going to stay a heel since his ‘Better than the Best’ thing seems tailor made for a babyface/tweener run, but we’ll see. I am excited to see what will happen next week when Tozawa has Kendrick in his corner.

Buddy Murphy: I’ve said before that few things will wreck a friendship in professional wrestling than going for the gold and that’s proving true with Buddy Murphy and Tony Nese. I loved Murphy playing the arrogant heel that’s forgotten what his former friend did for him. I also loved Nese beating the tar out of Murphy and saying that he’s the reason Murphy was on 205 and not still in NXT.

Cedric Alexander vs Ariya Daivari: This was a really great match, but I’m a little confused as to why Oney Lorcan attacked Alexander. Lorcan is a great addition to 205, but I’m a little confused as to why he attacked Alexander when the only time they’ve been the ring together was in the Cruiserweight Tournament. It just seems nonsensical to me, but it’s another ‘wait and see’ thing, but I’m already skeptical of this storyline.

NXT UK

Jordan Devlin vs Dan Moloney: I don’t have much to say about this match. Jordan Devlin was involved, so it was a show stealer and it was only the opening match. I feel for Moloney, but it’s clear that Devlin’s being groomed for big things down the line, and I hope it’ll include a title run.

Kassius Ohno: Since the debut of the Shield, there’s been a rumor that Kassius Ohno had been slated to be a Hound of Justice, but that was change, though whether he was supposed to be in Dean’s spot or Roman Reigns’ is up for dispute. His promo on Wednesday proved why he would’ve been a disaster in whatever role he was supposed to play. It was just flat and made no sense.

Jinny vs Toni Storm: For whatever reason, and not doing anything to earn it, Jinny is the new #1 Contender for the NXT UK Women’s Championship. Her promo over this was just plain dumb, especially since she hasn’t proven to be anything but an average wrestler.

Xia Brookside vs Rhea Ripley: I think we all knew what was going to happen when Xia Brookside challenged Rhea Ripley to a match, and we weren’t disappointed. It was a great match, but Xia had really no chance against Ripley. The really interesting thing was the debut of Piper Niven, who is EXTREMELY talented. The fact that she’s bad enough to scare off Ripley says something and I’m interested to see where this goes.

Isla Dawn vs Kay Lee Ray: Okay, this isn’t an official thing, but I was very intrigued by this exchange. Even though Ray claims to not be interested in being friends, the fact that there are three Scottish women on the roster is just BEGGING to become a stable like Gallus or be part of Gallus.

Trent Seven Interview: I don’t have much to say about this other than it looks like they’re going to break up Moustache Mountain, which is a dumb thing to do, in my opinion.

European Alliance vs Williams and Jordan: I’m actually kind of excited about this match. Both teams are great mid-card teams and could have a great feud before it’s all said and done.

Mark Andrews vs Noam Dar: This was another fantastic match for NXT UK this week. I love both guys involved in this match and they didn’t disappoint. The only disappointment was the No Contest ending. It’s hard to see who this was covering for, but they full deserved the standing ovation they got when they were carried out on stretchers.

Pete Dunne vs WALTER: Thank god we’re finally getting this match because the build was boring me stupid. I hope Dunne retains but I have a feeling WALTER is going to win it at TakeOver. At least this contract signing didn’t end in a fight.

NXT

Johnny Gargano vs Adam Cole: I’m really excited about this match. Yes, I would have rather seen Gargano finally get one over on Ciampa, but Adam Cole will work. Triple H making it 2-out-of-3 Falls guarantees a barnburner, but Gargano should insist that Undisputed Era be banned from ringside so there’s no question about who the real winner is.

Kacy Catanzaro and Lacey Lane vs Aliyah and Vanessa Borne: This was another good match that got ruined by Shayna Baszler and her goons. I’m not sure what the point of making Shayna look like a punk who has to pick fights with people who aren’t a threat to her is, but I hope it costs her the title because the women of NXT should be doing more than just being her punching bag. Also, where are Belair, Shirai, and Sane, the women who are ACTUALLY feuding with Baszler?

Matt Riddle vs Kona Reeves: This was a giant snoozer, as far as I was concerned. I don’t care about Reeves and Riddle sets my teeth on edge. Velveteen Dream being involved didn’t make me anymore interested in this match or the feud. Dream vs Riddle is already looking like a skipper.

Forgotten Sons vs Aleister Black and Ricochet: It’s the final of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and the most unlikely tag team in the bracket has been on a major role on three of the five WWE brands. This match was fantastic, as expected from both teams. The biggest surprise of this whole thing was that Black and Ricochet won. I honestly thought, given that they’re likely going to be on the WrestleMania card against the Revival, that they’d have the Forgotten Sons win it, but it looks like the Unlikely Duo is going to have a very full weekend and I’m excited for both of them.

Overall Thoughts: How was the penultimate week before WrestleMania? Not great. At least on the Big Two. RAW and SmackDown were full of misses, in my opinion because WWE/Vince can’t leave well enough alone, especially where it concerns the RAW Women’s Championship Match. I get that this is a historic moment, but I can’t think of a match that’s gotten more overdone and tinkered with than this and I’m almost afraid that WWE’s going to fix it until they break it, and this turns into a flop.

I’m glad that Kofi vs Bryan is finally finalized, but I keep feeling like Vince is going to pull some trick to drag this out to WrestleMania.

The network shows weren’t nearly as convoluted in their builds, thank God, and it made them much easier to watch, even if I didn’t enjoy very much of NXT.

We’re heading into the go-home week for WrestleMania and I’m PRAYING that Vince stops tinkering with things because it’s making too many messes that I don’t think are going to be fixed at WrestleMania.


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Opinion

Greg DeMarco’s 2024 WWE Royal Rumble Reaction

It’s the Royal Rumble! A favorite of many fans, the Rumble kicks off the Road To WrestleMania. Greg DeMarco is here with his live reactions to the event!

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WWE Royal Rumble 2024 Results

It’s the Royal Rumble! A favorite of many fans, the Rumble kicks off the Road To WrestleMania. Greg DeMarco is here with his live reactions to the event!

The WWE Royal Rumble is upon us, and while the Men’s Royal Rumble Match isn’t for the World Heavyweight Championship like I suggested, it’s still the most anticipated event of the year.

Why? The Unknown.

That’s right–in this age of the internet (usually incorrectly) telling us everything it possibly can about what is going to happen in the world of wrestling, the Royal Rumble stands out because despite what we’re told (or, more importantly, what we choose to listen to), the event is always full of fun and surprises.


Check out Steven Mitchell’s 2024 WWE Royal Rumble Results & Review!


Women’s Royal Rumble Match

  • They really are driving home the “main event WrestleMania” point this year–strengthens my thought that women will main event Night 1. Triple H would catch a ton of heat if he keeps women out for the third straight year.
  • NAOMI! Good to see her back, and the emotional response she had.
  • Love Michael Cole calling out Naomi’s time in TNA, and recognizing her as a former Knockouts Champion.
  • Entering #3 doesn’t bode well for Bayley. I honestly don’t think she is gonna win.
  • JORDYNNE GRACE! I saw the reports earlier today. This is a much bigger deal than Mickie James, because Mickie was a returning legend.
  • “TNA HAS A WEAPON!” So glad to have Pat McAfee on the call.
  • Honestly, Jordynne Grace belongs in WWE.

  • Asuka comes in, and they sell the surprise of Bayley. STORYTELLING, people!
  • Something tells me when we get Kairi Sane in there, The Kabuki Warriors will eliminate Bayley.
  • Ivy Nile enters, and I immediately want to see her go toe-to-toe with Jordynne Grace.
  • What if they pulled some crazy sh*t and had Jordynne Grace win???
  • Just step through the ropes next time, Bianca.
  • When I first saw the C4 clock, I thought I would get tired of it But I am already used to it.
  • Here’s Kairi Sane, time to set the plan into motion!
  • This crowd does not appear to like Tegan Nox.
  • Welp, there goes my idea o Asuka and Kairi eliminating Bayley.
  • That was a hell of a way for Jordynne Grace to go out.

  • I think Michael Cole secretly loves to call a Meteora.
  • There’s a reason Maxxine Dupri doesn’t wrestle much.
  • That tandem Code Red was very Young Buckish. And that’s not a compliment.
  • Hair,…gear…this might be the messiest Royal Rumble yet.
  • Ah, here comes the winner, Becky Lynch (I am calling Becky eliminates Bayley to win her second Royal Rumble).
  • LOVE the scoreboard of time in the Rumble for selected wrestlers.

  • R-TRUTH?!?! (Funny story, it was Truth’s spot that Nia Jax took in 2019.)
  • If you push Mia Yim, she’ll take it further than you could imagine.
  • “How is everybody the most athletic person on Earth?” – Pat McAfee
  • Surprising that Roxanne Perez, at #27, is the first NXT entrant. I don’t think we’ll be seeing Tiffany Stratton of Blair Davenport since we only have 3 more to come.
  • Amazing reaction for Jade Cargill. Give her time, she’s definitely going to be a huge star.
  • JUST GIVE HER TIME.
  • Seriously, Nia Jax had to help Jade eliminate her–A LOT.

  • Greg Was Wrong: It is indeed Tiffy Time in the Royal Rumble.
  • Back to Jade–she is insanely over.
  • I know it won’t be, but this should be Tiffany Stratton’s official main roster call-up.
  • Liv Morgan returns at #30, and good for Liv. She nearly went wire-to-wire last year.
  • Liv Morgan: “Thank you!” Pat McAfee: “No problem.”
  • Tiffany Stratton eliminating Roxanne Perez is, to me, an invitation for a match with them on Raw this Monday.
  • Still love the scoreboard as Naomi passes an hour.
  • The camera is catching a lot of in-ring communications right now.
  • And Jade Cargill eliminates my pick to win. Bye Becky.
  • Jade Cargill in the final three of the Royal Rumble (with Liv Morgan and Bayley) is huge for her.
  • Hell of a debut for Jade Cargill.
  • And a huge win for Bayley.

Winner of the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble Match: Bayley (eliminating Liv Morgan to win)

Fatal 4-Way Match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Randy Orton vs AJ Styles vs. LA Knight vs. Roman Reigns (champion, with Paul Heyman)

  • Glad to see AJ Styles got his tights back. Pants AJ Styles (but still with the football gloves) was not working. Not just bring the beard back to your face Allen–the think beard also ain’t working.

  • Pat McAfee campaigning for Roman Reigns to be given at least a 26% chance is amazing.
  • Say what you want about LA Knight, he’s a damn star and totally belongs in this match.
  • Roman completely sandbagged Randy on the table drop. I don’t think it was on purpose, but he definitely didn’t jump.
  • Roman Reigns is very much like Gunther in that he does the simple things SO WELL, like a jumping clothesline. That’s how you do it.
  • Yes, I compared Roman Reigns to Gunther. Don’t @ me, I’m right.

  • RKO City, Bitch.
  • Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand here’s Solo! (At some point, Solo will get tired of saving Roman’s ass.)
  • Solo ’bout to go through that barricade.
  • Solo indeed went through that barricade.

  • Yes, we had the Solo interference mid-match, but honestly in the end Roman won that clean.

Winner, #ANDSTILL your Undisputed WWE Universal Champion: Roman Reigns

WWE United States Championship: Kevin Owens vs. Logan Paul (champion)

  • Kevin Owens wearing Zubaz shorts in the Performance Center fight makes me very happy.
  • Logan Paul talking about a full time run, and now he’s putting on size.
  • Logan’s headband didn’t list very long.
  • I honestly hate it when modern-day wrestlers bust out a crotch chop.
  • If you were watching the Royal Rumble and didn’t know who Logan Paul was, you’d just assume he was a pro wrestler. That says everything you need to know about how good he is at this.
  • ANOTHER crotch chop. Now we’re at 2 too many.

  • Cue the “Better Buckshot Than Hangman” tweets. But they might be right.
  • I love the idea of a Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and Grayson Waller stable.
  • C’mon, there’s NO WAY Ryan Tran could see the knucks on Kevin Owens’ hand given his placement. It’s the little things.
  • Finish here tells me we’ll see KO vs. Logan Paul again. I’d guess on TV, if not in Australia.

Winner by disqualification, #ANDSTILL WWE United States Champion: Logan Paul

Men’s Royal Rumble Match

  • Jey Uso coming at #1 was expected thanks to the internet reports. But I still think Jimmy should be #1 and Jey #2, for the reaction shots on Jimmy.
  • Grayson Waller talking himself to the ring is perfect.
  • “No Yeet!” Grayson is a brilliant performer. I’d make a Roddy Piper comparison here, but y’all would get at mad at me.
  • Good to have Andrade back in WWE. Great reaction for him when the mask came off.

  • SmackDown superstar Carmelo Hayes! I really really really hope Trick is also in this match, just for the chants.
  • Melo pointed to the sign, C’mon, man.
  • Do you send Andrade to Smackdown, or do you send him to Raw and let him do his own thing?
  • Oh goody, Karrion Kross is here. Yay.
  • (Yes, that’s sarcasm you read.)
  • Dominik Mysterio is so good. Give him time, he’s going to be a huge star.

  • The Royal Rumble was a great place for the Apple Spot.
  • Here comes Bob Lashley–please just eliminate Karrion Kross.
  • Lashley wearing the WrestleMania white gear more than 2 months early.
  • Austin Theory still gets his concussion effect entrance, despite it being the Rumble.
  • What if–hear me out now–Finn Balor wins the Royal Rumble to get the shot at Seth Rollins, and Priest uses his briefcase to make that match a triple threat at ‘Mania?
  • I know he didn’t, but it sure looked like Jimmy was swerving while he drives in that interaction with Gunther.
  • Kofi did tell us the Rumble Magic wasn’t happening anymore.
  • Give me Ivar vs Gunther!
  • Bron Breakker is a star. It’s inevitable.
  • Of course Omos would be in the Rumble. Good to see MVP on my TV as well.
  • “I didn’t know humans came that big!” – Pat McAfee
  • I half think Pat McAfee didn’t know he was entering the Rumble.
  • Nice moment for Bron Breakker eliminating Omos. WrestleMania match?
  • R-Truth trying to get Dominik (Tom or Nick?) Mysterio to tag him in is brilliant.
  • DOM MADE THE TAG!!!
  • “And now R-Truth is the legal man.” – thank you Michael Cole.
  • Michael Cole delivers multiple TNA references tonight, along with a Dolph Ziggler reference. God Bless Michael Cole.
  • Imagine for a second that this was CM Punk’s actual WWE return.
  • The reaction to Drew McIntyre’s entrance is a reminder that they don’t actually need him.
  • Sami Zayn enters at #30, also known as “Not The Rock.”

  • In the ring, Drew McIntyre is amazing. Just keep the microphone away from him. (And stop the damn counting!)
  • And there goes my choice for the Men’s Rumble!
  • Love having both Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins in the press boxes watching to see who wins.
  • Punk kinda looks like Chris Jericho in there. Seriously.
  • Between Punk and Cody, Cody is the right choice. I really don’t want to watch Punk right now–he needs to hit the cardio, and hard. Given Seth Rollins’ injury and Punk’s conditioning, WWE would be smart to make the World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 40 a multi-man match.

Winner of the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble: Cody Rhodes


Overall thoughts on the 2024 WWE Royal Rumble

For at least the second straight year, the Men’s Royal Rumble Match was kinda disappointing. Not the result–that’s fine. But the match itself. It just wasn’t nearly as exciting as the Women’s. Of the four matches, I would place it 4th in terms of enjoyment.

Great moments for both Bayley and Cody Rhodes. Logan Paul continually shows that he deserves to be considered a pro wrestler, not a celebrity who is wrestling. Pat McAfee is a joy on commentary. Jordynne Grace is a WWE Superstar, regardless of what company she is signed to. Bron Breakker is a star.CM Punk is very out of shape. Cody Rhodes is about to become THE guy, and he deserves it.

Overall I give the event a thumbs up, but they have to do something about the Men’s Royal Rumble Match moving forward.


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WWE Raw Heads To Netflix: What Does It Mean?

Monumental news drops as WWE RAW is moving to Netflix. Is it truly a game changing move? Greg DeMarco analyzes this shift for the TV wrestling business.

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WWE Logo Metalic

Monumental news drops as WWE RAW is moving to Netflix. Is it truly a game changing move? Greg DeMarco analyzes this shift for the TV wrestling business.

Being a wee little kid in the 80s, I am “lucky enough” to remember having 3 TV channels, and my dad explaining what an 8-track is, how shocked I was when I say a laser disc for the first time, when I bought a 6 CD changer, installed my own car stereo, and all the way up to the fact that I have now been watching WWE pay-per-view/premium live events on the WWE Network and Peacock for 10 years. Hell, in the same month (February 2014) I signed up for the WWE Network, cut the cord to drop cable and got Sling TV. I have since moved onto YouTube TV which is highly recommended.

Over the last two years the NFL has put Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime, simulcast to various streaming services, and less than 2 weeks ago put a playoff game exclusively on streaming when a Wildcard Weekend showdown between the Chiefs and Dolphins was only shown on Peacock.

And now it’s fully permeated into pro wrestling.

WWE and AEW are both in the midst of a very important time on the business side, with all of their TV rights up for grabs. The first domino fell when SmackDown On FOX became SmackDown on USA Network, and soon after we learned that WWE NXT was moving to broadcast television and joining The CW (which is also rebranding, but just to CW).

The AEW suite of programming that includes Collision, Rampage, and their most successful show Dynamite is up for renewal with Warner Bros/Discovery, and Tony Khan has been optimistic about the relationship and potentially an increase in rights fees.

That brings us to Tuesday morning, and the likely groundbreaking WWE announcement that Raw is moving to Netflix, starting in January 2025. Triple H tweeted that they’re changing the game, and TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro (who knows a thing or two about shifts in media consumption) used the word “transformative” in his statement, and I really think he couldn’t be more right.

But what does it all mean?

Wrestling Remains A Strong Media Product

I have been claiming this for over a year now. As many online will cite a decline in TV viewership for both WWE and AEW, the TV product has been a strong value to networks. Even in dropping SmackDown, FOX themselves said they didn’t pump enough resources into the show, and that the advertising return wasn’t what they wanted. That doesn’t mean the product (TV value, we’re not talking about creative here) isn’t strong. It’s so strong that USA Network picked up SmackDown for $280 million per year, giving WWE an increase over the FOX deal. CW is paying $20-$25 million annually for NXT, and now Netflix is paying $500 million for RAW.

Why? Because wrestling isn’t just a strong media product, it’s consistent. And that is key.

Look at this quote from Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria:

“Raw is the best of sports entertainment, blending great characters and storytelling with live action 52 weeks a year and we’re thrilled to be in this long-term partnership with WWE.”

Now cross reference that with a comment from CW President Dennis Miller from back when the CW/NXT deal was announced:

“We are thrilled to welcome the WWE brand into the CW Sports portfolio as they play an integral role in our mission to bring live sporting events to the network year-round.”

What do those statements have in common? The year-round, 52-week nature of wrestling programming. It’s an unbeatable value for networks. It’s cheaper than a deal with a major sports league, and it’s not finite. Wrestling joins news, talk, and sports talk as the only year-round programming available to networks. And WWE and AEW have shows that essentially always land in the Top 5 after you factor out live sports. You can’t beat it.

What Does This Mean for Netflix?

Don’t get it twisted, this is also a huge leap for Netflix. Prior to the WWE Raw deal, Netflix has only experimented with live events, streaming the live Chris Rock “Selective Outrage” special, and showing The Netflix Cup live (a golf event featuring athletes from their F1 series “Drive To Survive” and their golf series “Full Swing).

WWE is the perfect partner for Netflix as it gets into live programming. It’s sports entertainment: sports like programming (which Netflix has done) that focuses on storytelling (which Netflix has obviously done). And no one does it better than WWE. It’s essentially plug-and-play for Netflix, the perfect solution for their live programming aspirations.

The perfect solution that they were willing to pay $5 billion for.

What Does This Mean for AEW?

The biggest risk to an AEW renewal with Warner Bros Discovery was WBD picking up WWE Raw–and that risk has been eliminated by Netflix. Don’t discount that fact–Netflix did Tony Khan a huge favor by throwing $500 million per at WWE. The path is clear for AEW to remain on the Turner networks.

But at what price?

I know I usually write as if I have all the answers, but I have zero idea either way on this one. WBD no longer has any other options if it wants to keep wrestling (except for TNA, who recently expressed a desire to be on a bigger network), and AEW (at least, Dynamite) is a weekly Top 5 program for them on Wednesdays, on cable.

On the other hand, AEW doesn’t exactly have another network begging for their services. The reason WWE could get a yearly increase for Raw, SmackDown, and NXT is because it was truly a bidding war. Unless Tony Khan gets another network involved, any threat of walking away from a deal doesn’t really hold water.

So if I were a betting man (and who would ever bet on this) I would expect an announcement of a renewal for AEW and WBD relatively soon. We may not know the terms of the deal, I will take a shot in the dark and say that AEW gets a small increase (not the “nearly double” that had been reported last year).

Regardless of the increase (or not), given AEW’s recent attendance challenges, this likely renewal would have to be viewed as a win for the company.


Personally, this is simply an amazing time to be a fan. We’ve seen WWE go from one live TV show per week with Monday Night Raw, through the Monday Night Wars, the addition of SmackDown and later NXT, to being this global juggernaut that is commanding half-a-billion dollars per year for Raw. I also think this makes Raw the flagship once again. All of this comes after Vince McMahon is largely out of power, Triple H has taken over creative (and holds a pretty good success rate so far), and the company was sold to Endeavor, and merged with the UFC as a business entity under the TKO banner.

If you know me, you know I am a huge follower of the business side of the wrestling business. I often care less about WHAT wrestling companies do, but HOW they do it. I have always gravitated towards that, since middle school. And for the past near 24 months, I have been like a kid in a candy store.

The Peacock deal for the WWE Network runs out in 2026, right? The fun never stops!


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