INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The next era in WWE has arrived.
WWE is starting 2025 with one of the biggest shifts in the company’s history, with its iconic Monday Night Raw making its Netflix debut. On air since 1993, Raw will move to the streaming giant for its first show away from cable, and it is expected to be a monumental night for WWE.
Four matches make up the card entering the night, and they’re all main event-worthy bouts. CM Punk and Seth Rollins will finally put their feud in the ring, the right to wear the ula fala will be determined in tribal combat, and the top rivalry in the women’s division enters another chapter will championship gold on the line. That doesn’t even include the many appearances that will happen, including an “electrifying” one and the start of the John Cena farewell tour.
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Tribal combat for the ula fala and title of Tribal Chief: Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa
After locking up to start, Reigns threw Sikoa out of the ring. They locked up again outside, and Sikoa then took advantage, bouncing Reigns’ head off the announcer’s table.
The momentum shifted once Sikoa brought the weapons out, throwing the steel steps at his opponent and using a chair afterward. After Reigns countered the shots, the competitors continued to go back-and-forth, taking any opportunity to land a brutal shot.
Reigns sent Sikoa through a table and went for the pin, but Tama Tonga came out to stop the referee. Jacob Fatu then emerged and went to work on Reigns, trying to help Sikoa secure the win. He landed a Samoan spike, but Reigns kicked out of the pin. Frustrated, Sikoa then hit the Samoan spike on the referee.
With Reigns outnumbered, Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso came out to neutralize the battle, and then teed off Sikoa. Reigns landed a spear, but there was no referee to count. By the time a new one came out, Sikoa kicked out to continue the mayhem.
Then another shocker: Kevin Owens emerged to take out Reigns, and Cody Rhodes came out to take care of his rival, taking the fight to the crowd.
Then it was Reigns and Sikoa left. The two tried to execute finishers on each other, and it was Reigns who landed the spear. His opponent was down, and Reigns did his war cry before landing another spear. He went for the pin, got it and Reigns is back as the Tribal Chief.
As Paul Heyman was about to put the ula fala on Reigns, The Rock entered. He took the ula fala and placed it on Reigns’ neck and they embraced.
Analysis: It was the same old chaos that happens in Tribal combat, and it ends with the “OTC” on top. It was refreshing to see both sides get right into the action rather than waiting for something to build.
It was expected Sikoa’s sidekicks would come out, but Owens was a surprise. Still, there was enough support for Reigns, and Rhodes coming out showed the two sides have mutual respect.
The battle in The Bloodline is still far from settled, and it will likely head toward WrestleMania. However, Reigns is back on top and ready to retake claim within the WWE, just like many fans have been waiting for.
The Rock appears
People didn’t have to wait long to see The Rock.
The WWE legend was first person to emerge from the entrance ramp, as the Intuit Dome crowd erupted once his music hit the speakers. He came out with the People’s Championship title he was given during WrestleMania 40 weekend, and he gave it to his daughters to hold before going in the ring.
The Rock recalled how tough it was to watch wrestling as a kid, and now it has evolved to being available worldwide. He announced Monday’s event set the record for the largest arena gate in the history of WWE.
But what happened next was a shock. The Rock thanked Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes for carrying the company “on his back” the past year. The two were rivals at WrestleMania 40, and The Rock was now gracious to Rhodes, who was in attendance. The two sides acknowledged each other with respect. Later, they shared an embrace that had to stun the WWE crowd.
He then gave credit to Roman Reigns, the “original Tribal Chief” as he is set to take on Solo Sikoa in tribal combat for the right to wear the ula fala. The Rock said he will be watching the result of the match closely.
Triple H kicks off show
The night starts off with WWE chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque revealing the new ring for Monday Night Raw. He told the crowd the entire globe will be able to watch the show now that it is available to watch on Netflix. He did his signature “are you ready” before the crowd erupted.
“Welcome to the Netflix era,” he yelled.
Watch: Monday Night Raw cold open
When is Monday Night Raw on Netflix?
The first Monday Night Raw on Netflix is Monday, Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. ET.
Where is Monday Night Raw on Netflix debut?
Monday Night Raw on Netflix will take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, home of the Los Angeles Clippers. It will be the first wrestling event to take place at the arena since it opened in August 2024.
How to watch Monday Night Raw on Netflix: TV channel, streaming
Monday Night Raw will be available only on Netflix. Viewers will need a Netflix subscription to watch the event, and it’s available at no additional cost. Fans with any Netflix subscription tier will be able to watch.
Monday Night Raw on Netflix match card
Matches not in order
- Women’s World Championship match: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
- Tribal combat for the ula fala and title of Tribal Chief: Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa
- CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins
- Jey Uso vs. Drew McIntyre
Who else will be at Monday Night Raw on Netflix debut?
There will be plenty more happening other than the scheduled matches for Monday. Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Bianca Belair have been promoted for the show, but it’s unclear how they will take part. Rapper Travis Scott will perform the new Monday Night Raw theme song.
There will be some returns as well, including the arrival of Logan Paul.
Will John Cena return?
The farewell tour stars now as John Cena will kick off the final campaign of his storied wrestling career. The 16-time WWE champion announced in 2024 he would be retiring from in-ring competition in 2025 and plans to compete in several matches this year.
What about The Rock?
Get ready for the return of the “most electrifying man in sports entertainment.” The Rock confirmed he will be part of the show.
“I’ll come back home to WWE tomorrow night as we make history on Netflix and begin a new and exciting era,” he said on social media on Sunday. “Tomorrow night is dedicated to my grandfather, the High Chief Peter Maivia, my grandmother, Lia Maivia and my dad, Rocky ‘Soulman’ Johnson and my ancestors who have ALL paved the way.”
It’s unclear how The Rock will be part of the event, but it wouldn’t be a surprise for him to play a role in the tribal combat between Reigns and Sikoa. The last time The Rock appeared in WWE was in October, when he appeared at the end of Bad Blood and stared down Reigns and Sikoa.
Monday Night Raw stage
There’s nothing new inside the Intuit Dome when it comes to the Monday Night Raw stage. It is similar to how WWE has structured its shows which allows for people to sit in the seats behind the entrance ramp.
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