WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW - NETFLIX PREMIERE 2025 (INTUIT DOME)
The premiere of WWE television and Monday Night Raw on Netflix. A game changing deal in the Sports Entertainment and Wrestling industry as two of the biggest companies in the World combine forces. A partnership worth more than $5bn over a 10 year period, which shows Netflix’s intentions with live sports. Netflix also already has selected NFL games as well as The Netflix Cup with golf and the exclusive home of Jake Paul vs “Iron” Mike Tyson. This proves to the World that they are here to stay in the live sports market.
Intro
The broadcast begins with the “The. Now. Forever. Together” almost Marvel Studios like intro with superstars from the entire history of WWE. Following this, a view of the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, opened in August 2024 with state of the art technology and a capacity of 18,000. A fitting location for the WWE-Netflix premiere.
The 27+ year veteran Michael Cole takes everyone through the opening stages of the broadcast saying “you are looking live inside the sold-out Intuit Dome, over 17,000 WWE fans” then “I am proud to say, for the first, welcome to Monday Night Raw LIVE ON NETFLIX”. There is no better person to introduce the Netflix Era on commentary than Michael Cole. A man who seems to be enjoying some of the best years of his career at the moment.
A video package plays through projected screens that surround the ring in the middle of the arena. The video package, narrated by Triple H, takes you through the history of the wrestling industry as well as WWE. “The truth is, a great swath of American culture is born of that eternal battle between the (baby)face and the heel”. Triple H says to explain the impact on American culture Wrestling has had.
Plus great quotes from the history of WWE including “the irresistible force meets the immovable object” from Hulk Hogan vs Andre The Giant. As well as “Austin 3:16 says I just whooped your a**” from the infamous King of The Ring tournament in 1996 from Stone Cold. Triple H blurs the lines of kayfabe by mentioning lines like “face and heel” and “shoot from the work” but clears up the post event press conference that WWE is not trying to hide what they do. A strong message from the Chief Content Officer.
The greats of WWE included in the video package such as Hulk Hogan, NWO, John Cena, The Rock, Ric Flair, Eddie Guerrero, Andre The Giant and many more. One of the final shots of the video package includes the words “never-to-end story of WWE” and a shot of a wrestling ring canvas with hand painted portraits of WWE’s greats and legends throughout their history.
The pyro sounds as the screens come down around the ring to reveal Triple H standing in the centre of the ring, to a huge roar from the crowd. Deafening chants of “TRIPLE H! TRIPLE H!” Triple H emphasises how important this moment and episode of Raw this could be as he asks the crowd to be loud and make themselves known to the Globe.
Triple H then asks his question of “ARE YOU READY?” to the crowd, in which they respond emphatically. He then says “Welcome to Monday Night Raw.” “Welcome to the Netflix Era” as pyro starts again around the ring and the arena. The crowd cheers loudly again as the Netflix Era begins.
Surprise appearance from The Rock
The arena falls to darkness again. With anticipation filling the air. The crowd is silent. “IF YA SMELL, WHAT THE ROCK…IS COOKING” the words that mean only one man, The Rock is here, as the crowd erupts for the unexpected arrival of The People’s Champ.
He walks out onto the stage to an enormous reception. Holding the People’s Championship given to him by Muhammed Ali’s widow from the Hall Of Fame ceremony in 2024. Then looking around and he can't help but smile at the reaction he has got. A reaction so good that he shows the camera the goosebumps that are clearly visible on his arm. Showing that he doesn't take the reaction for granted since coming back to WWE.
Michael Cole comments on The Rock’s way to the ring saying “The Rock kicks off the Netflic Era”. Followed with comments of The Rock now being a High Chief in Samoan culture, known as High Chief Seiuli one of the greatest honours to be bestowed upon a person in Samoan culture, which he carries with great pride.
The Rock enters the ring with his trademark eyebrow raise as he speaks to the people in attendance and around the Globe on Netflix. Following on he then speaks about travelling the roads across America with his Father, WWE Hall Of Famer Rocky Johnson, watching wrestling but WWE only available to see by buying tickets or on Saturday morning TV. He then explains how times have changed and you can now watch WWE around the Globe simultaneously live.
A new arena gate record for a WWE arena event has been broken as it has countless times in the past few years. Which The Rock congratulates the LA crowd for at the Intuit Dome.
“Finally the WWE has come back to Netflix” said by the People’s Champ which seems to either confuse or amused the crowd as Netflix has never been on Netflix before. Before saying what everyone has been waiting for at the Intuit Dome, “finally The Rock has come back to Los Angeles”.
The Rock now acknowledges multiple people including people from Netflix, WWE Champion Cody Rhodes saying he has carried the company on his back for a year but also a mention to Mama Rhodes and to say hi on behalf of The Rock to everyone’s amusement.
Then choosing to acknowledge The Tribal Chief Roman Reigns. Which prompts “OTC! OTC! OTC!” chants throughout the arena which louds cheers. He then mentions that he and the World will be watching the Tribal Combat match between Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa. Speaking in the third person as he usually does he says “The Rock is proudly a High Chief of Samoa, High Chief Seiuli, that is a title I carry with pride, with respect”.
Finally The Rock says “let's get this show on the road” then the trademark “IF YA SMEELLLLLL…WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKING!” with loud chants of “ROCKY! ROCKY! ROCKY!” A great way to get the crowd going and to start the Netflix Era from a member of the Board of Directors of TKO (WWE’s parent company) in Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Roman Reigns vs Solo Sikoa (Tribal Combat Match)
Solo Sikoa is first to make his way to the ring. With boos from the crowd as Michael Cole points out the Ula Fala around Sikoa’s neck, which was never given to him by his family and taken from Roman Reigns which he wants back tonight.
Michael Cole then speaks to the audience and says that this is “the most historic night that I have ever been a part of”. Pat Mcafee then introduced by Cole who says that “it is an hour to be here and it’s an honour to be alongside you, the GOAT”.
Solo Sikoa stares down the ramp to the stage as Roman Reigns makes his entrance to thunderous cheers and deafening pyro to match. An aura that is unmatched for many in wrestling today. Michael Cole calls him “one of the all-time greats in Sports Entertainment history”. He looks back at The Wiseman Paul Heyman and says “let’s go get back the Ula Fala”
A traditional collar and elbow tie up to start the match on the new look black canvas with sponsors all around. Almost a boxing or MMA look to the canvas for the Netflix premiere. With Roman Reigns wearing Nike Kobe 9 customs for this special event, a respectful move with a nod from one of the WWE all-time greats to one of the NBA all-time greats in the late great Kobe Bryant.
The fight spills to the outside as each man is bounced off a ring post then Solo gets the upper hand putting Reigns head first into the announce table. Back in the ring as Roman counters Solo to take control. Going around the ring before putting Solo into the corner with swinging arm shots to match as the crowd counts the shots from 1-10.
Once again the match goes to the outside as Roman remains on top, however he takes too long as Solo greets him with a Uranage onto the announce table. A monitor to the head of the OTC as Michael Cole says Reigns “collapsing at my feet”. Sikoa then hurtles the steel steps towards Reigns taking him out. The leader of the new Bloodline taking full advantage of the no rules of Tribal Combat.
The OTC tries to take advantage of Sikoa gloating and talking to The Wiseman before Solo quickly regains control with a big elbow to Roman. He then goes under the ring for chairs before using them with force on Roman to keep him down. Solo throws up “The Ones” synonyms with The Bloodline which has also been stolen from The OTC. The crowd makes it abundantly clear they will not acknowledge Sikoa as their Tribal Chief.
Placing a chair on The Tribal Chief’s head as he is in the corner, Solo Sikoa looks for a Hip Attack, a move along with the Samoan Spike in honour of his Uncle, WWE Hall Of Famer Umaga. However, Roman scouts the move and takes advantage with a chair, being relentless and “making Solo pay for his sins” as Michael Cole explains.
A motivating factor for Roman is the Ula Fala which he continues to look back at in the hands of Paul Heyman. Perhaps on the mind of Reigns as he tries a conchairto, however also unsuccessful in his attempts. Tribal Combat rules come into play again as Solo delivers a low blow then a spinning Solo on a chair to Reigns but still not enough to retain the Ula Fala.
A theme of the match being wasting too much time for the next move, shown again when Reigns does a Driveby on Solo as he looks to involve a table. Then again shown as Roman takes a Kendo Stick to the head after setting the table up in the ring.
Solo is then too busy trying to taunt and explain his actions to The OTC that he ends up through the table due to a Last Ride by Roman. As Chad Patton looks to make the three count he is pulled from the ring by Tama Tonga.
As Roman looks for answers as to why he has lost the match, he is blindsided by Jacob Fatu, the Samoan Werewolf also part of the New Bloodline. Fatu hits the moonsault perfectly as he looks to give Sikoa the victory. The Samoan Spike hits the mark by Sikoa but Roman kicks out at 2.
Official Chad Patton is then taken out by Solo with a Spike. Although Solo looks to inflict more pain on The OTC, reinforcements arrive for the Original Tribal Chief. Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso take out all New Bloodline members including Solo along with a Spear. Still the match goes on with a kick out from Solo at the last moment.
As it seems that Roman is about to finish the match, Kevin Owens emerges with a Stunner sending Reigns crashing into the corner. Reigns is still able to make the kick out. The American Nightmare emerges to deal with KO, an unlikely hero who ended Reigns historic title reign just 9 months ago.
The crowd on their feet as they sense the end being near. Solo tries to reverse with a Samoan Spike which Reigns counters with a thunderous Spear off the rope.
1…2…3! Roman Reigns wins Tribal Combat for the second time and regains the Ula Fala!
Roman stares at the Ula Fala in Paul Heyman’s hands as The Rock can be seen in the distance walking towards the ring. He takes the Ula Fala from The Wiseman and bestows it upon The OTC.
A lengthy stare down follows before a show of respect and embrace between both men. The Rock watches on as Roman Reigns throws up The Ones, with the crowd universally showing they acknowledge their Tribal Chief.
The story may not be over for both of these men. There seems to be unfinished business between the pair. The main event for Wrestlemania 40 originally meant to be between the pair (information disclosed by The Rock himself). Only time will tell if we ever get this dream match.
John Cena Segment
A great reception for 16x World Champion John Cena from the Los Angeles crowd. A shot of drones in the night sky in LA with the John Cena Farewell logo, a fitting start to the last year of the in-ring career of one of the best of all time in John Cena.
Cena in the blue and white Los Angeles The Last Time Is Now special edition merchandise, perhaps with the LA Dodgers in mind with the colours. He looks around the Intuit Dome and takes it in before joking that there are people everywhere.
The crowd serenades Cena by chanting “THANK YOU CENA!” throughout the arena of over 17,000 people. He then explains how important of a place LA has been for him. From sleeping in his car when working at a gym in Venice to winning his first World Championship in the same City.
The crowd lends their hand with their thoughts on possible opponents for Cena in this Farewell Tour. Drew McIntyre to Cody Rhodes or even CM Punk, renewing a rivalry that featured the infamous 2011 Money In The Bank match where CM Punk left through his home Chicago crowd.
By far the loudest cheer appeared when Cena asked about his possible record breaking 17x World Champion reign. Welcomed with chants of “YOU DESERVE IT!”. However, Cena at first casts doubt on this himself saying that he has not won a match in over 2,440 days, not the form of a World Champion in WWE currently.
He then initially says it would never happen but quickly changes that to “it would take a miracle for that to happen”. Even saying that he has more chances at winning an Oscar which amuses the crowd.
However, he then plants the seed of winning the Money In The Bank briefcase, surviving Elimination Chamber or winning the Royal Rumble. He then looks around the arena and says that the only never he says is “Never Give Up”.
Looking at the hard camera dead in the eye he says not only is he going to be in the Royal Rumble but he is going to “WIN the Royal Rumble” then his trademark “IF YOU WANT SOME…COME GET SOME”.
Liv Morgan © vs Rhea Ripley (Women’s World Championship Match)
Hard hitting start to the match with both women throwing right hands. The challenger quickly shows her power and strength flinging Morgan around the ring. Then taking out the bodyguard of the Champion, Raquel Rodriguez.
Domink Mysterio keeps up his “dirty” reputation by grabbing Rhea’s leg as she tries to re-enter the ring. A running knee off the ropes from Morgan makes me think she has control before Rhea reverses a move off of the apron and power bombs her into the announce table.
Liv Morgan takes control and starts to dominate the match before Rhea regains her momentum again putting Liv face first off the mat. Followed by a running knee of the ropes.
The challenger continues with great offence of a suplex and release German suplex. Not enough as Morgan then reverses moments later with a backstabber and a tornado DDT off the ropes. This match going back and forth for the competitors as they battle for the Women’s World Championship.
Once again the match turns as Rhea reverses a move from Liv into the Riptide, the Champ kicks out at 2 to the disbelief of Ripley. Dominik now tries to help his partner by sliding the Championship belt to Liv which the referee sees.
Raquel Rodriguez then appears with a cheer as the official is distracted with Dominik. Rhea has this scouted as she takes care of Liv’s bodyguard, but Morgan capitalises with an Oblivion to Ripley on a chair. A kick out at two keeps the match alive as Morgan looks at Dom as if to say “what do I do?”
There is disrespect not just in Dominik but in Liv Morgan too as he uses the Three Amigos and Frog Splash, moves made famous by Eddie Guerrero. The moves used by Dominik to mock the man that once had a match over the custody of Dominik in 2005.
The Champion looks to end the match with an Oblivion before being intercepted by Rhea. Ripley slams Morgan into the mat followed by not just one by 2 Riptides.
1…2…3! Rhea Ripley regains the Women’s World Title!
As Rhea tries to celebrate, Dominik enters the ring to try and rekindle his relationship with the new Champion. She makes her feelings known with a low blow kick followed by a Riptide to match for Dominik.
The new Champion hoists her title above her head on the ramp saying “LET’S GO!” before the familiar sound of eerie bell chimes. The Los Angeles crowd loses it as only one man, The Undertaker in his American Badass persona.
Drew McIntyre vs “Main Event” Jey Uso
The arena goes into darkness as the LED lights within the seats light up the arena. The intro to Travis Scott’s smash hit “FE!N” starts as the LA crowd roars their approval. A song streamed over a billion times on Spotify plays around the Intuit Dome, as the camera pans to Scott in the crowd. Travis Scott looks around the arena whilst holding a custom WWE title, a beer and smoking.
Then the theme song for “Main Event” Jey Uso plays, he goes through the crowd hugging Travis Scott as he does the YEET moves with his arms. Both men make their way through the crowd, with every fan in sight doing the YEET moves with their hands. Even Michael Cole joins Pat McAfee on the commentary table dancing as Jey and Travis go over to greet them before heading to the ring.
The Scottish Warrior gets a mixed reaction from the LA crowd, with fire to accompany the entrance. He walks towards the ring with dead focus as Michael Cole calls back to 2022 at the Clash At The Castle PLE in Cardiff where the Bloodline interference stopped McIntyre becoming WWE Champion. Explaining his issues with the Bloodline and where they have stemmed from.
Drew is still on his way to the ring when Jey Uso comes from out of nowhere between the ropes to take McIntyre out. Uso goes back into the ring, he YEETs to the crowd before running between the ropes again. This time he is caught and driven kidney first into the ring apron between a suplex on the outside leaves Uso on the ground in pain.
The bell finally rings with the early stages going back and forth before McIntyre takes control. He goes to the corner as he delivers vicious chops that McAfee says “echo off the walls of the Intuit Dome”. He starts to get a little cocky and Uso takes advantage as he delivers a perfect powerbomb in the centre of the ring.
Into the corner goes Jey as he does the trademark “U” for the crowd to finish with “SO” for the Uso’s, before a backside to the face of McIntyre. An “homage to, his Dad, Rikishi, and the late, Great Umaga” as Michael Cole points out in commentary. Before a crossbody to Drew for the first near fall of the match.
A neckbreaker from McIntyre breaks up the momentum of Jey before a Kip Up from the Scottsman as he goes into the corner. He puts his fingers in the air, with the crowd counting down from 3 with him as he goes for a Claymore. Countered by Jey with a super kick for another near fall.
An Uso Splash is blocked as McIntrye gets his knees up, into a Spinebuster for a near fall. Drew then picks him up straight into a Power Bomb but another near fall follows again. The 2 continue to go back and forth before counters from both men before a Future Shock DDT but not enough to put Uso away.
Out of nowhere a Spear from Uso, Jey looks puzzled as it’s not enough for the win. Jey with another kick to the face of McIntyre before Drew bounces off the opposite ropes with a Claymore. “Uso stays in it” from Michael Cole. McIntyre delivers chest slaps and a Glasgow Kiss before looking for another Claymore. Jey collapses to the mat before Drew can deliver the kick.
An amused and smug look on the face of the Scottish Warrior as he looks around the Intuit Dome to the boos of the fans. He says “one more kill shot and it’s all over” to Jey Uso. Jey steadily gets to his feet as Drew goes for a final Claymore but misses as Jey rolls him up for the pin.
1…2…3! JEY USO GETS THE WIN! A first career win one on one for “Main Event” Jey Uso over Drew McIntyre.
Hulk Hogan Segment
Another surprise appearance for the WWE Universe with Hall Of Famer Hulk Hogan coming out, accompanied by Jimmy Hart waving the USA Flag. As the music stops there are mainly boo’s coming from the LA crowd. Hogan seems surprised as he looks around the arena.
Even when saying his catchphrase “well let me tell you something, brother” the boo’s just seem to get louder. He even tries to say that the WWE Universe has been his best partner over his career but more boo’s ring out as he is speaking.
Hulk Hogan then gives a speech about his new partnership with Real American Beer and the partnership of WWE and Netflix. With boo’s continuing to ring out as Hogan speaks and becoming worse after. Not the reaction it appears WWE or Hulk Hogan was expecting.
CM Punk vs Seth “Freakin” Rollins
A grudge match 10 years in the making. It all comes to a head on the premier of WWE on Netflix in the main event of Monday Night Raw. The Visionary vs The Best In The World. The first match on Monday Night Raw for CM Punk in over 10 years. A Wrestlemania Main Event caliber match. A dream match many thought would never have been possible just 5 years ago.
Both men get great receptions from the WWE Universe in Los Angeles. Rollins with the entire crowd singing along with his theme song. CM Punk with the intro of his song being sung as well as a loud “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME” with the crowd as he points to them from the stage. Punk also appears to be wearing the same jacket he had for his last AEW match. That match was at Wembley Stadium in front of over 80,000 at AEW All In London.
Each man stands in the corner, not taking their eyes off each other. The chants of “HOLY SH*T” flow around the arena as the match gets under way. A hard hitting start from both men shows their dislike for one another. Punk tries to jump over the ropes to the outside where Rollins is but it is scouted before Rollins comes through the ropes himself and takes Punk into the barricades.
The fight spills into the WWE Universe with CM Punk on top before more back and forth as Rollins comes back into the match. Punk throws the RAW commentary table cover straight onto the head of the Visionary. Contrasting chants of “Let’s go Rollins” and “CM Punk!”
Both men look for their finishers as they make their way back into the ring but both countered as Rollins looks to beat down Punk. Seth lets emotions get the best of him as he argues with the referee but it costs him, with Punk taking control again. A spinning neck breaker from the top rope seems to do damage to both men as they lay on the mat.
A good sequence as Punk again targets the neck of Rollins with another neck breaker. All part of the injuries that Punk has mentioned since coming back that have happened and hampered Rollins over the years. Another neck breaker on the ropes adds to the damage done in this match.
As Seth rolls back into the ring, Punk looks for a cross body but is caught by Rollins. He puts him on his shoulders before delivering the GTS, Punk’s finishing move to himself. Punk smartly rolls out of the ring to avoid a pin and the embarrassment of being pinned from your own finishing move.
Pat McAfee says “Los Angeles serenades Rollins” as he goes to Punk and tells him “I hit your move, they sing my song” tormenting him before saying “I built all of this!” However, with more of his emotions coming into play Rollins rolls back into the ring and is greeted with a Stomp from CM Punk. The roles reverse as both men have now used each other’s finishing move. Punk then goes for his own GTS, before he is caught and Rollins delivers a second GTS. This time he is able to pin Punk. However, neither finisher is good enough for the win for either man.
Rollins looks to finish the match with a Stomp but Punk avoids and rolls out of the ring again. Seth goes outside to meet him saying “run away like you did 10 years ago” before throwing him on the commentary table. Both men once again countering each other before Rollins hits the Pedigree on the commentary table.
Another Pedigree from Rollins inside the ring, although “Punk somehow survives again!” as he kicks out at 2. Once again both men, this time on their knees, stare each other down. Chants of “Let’s go, Rollins” and “CM Punk” once again fill the arena for both men.
CM Punk counters Rollins with a big kick to the side of the head, then looks for a running knee but Rollins catches him to deliver a Buckle Bomb to the opposite turnbuckle. Seth comes off the ropes and delivers a Stomp to Punk. However, Punk manages to get his foot on the rope to force a break in the count, much to the displeasure of the architect.
The crowd shows the appreciation and approval for this match with the chant of “THIS IS AWESOME!” and “FIGHT FOREVER”.
Michael Cole says “two men, both five time World Champions, physically exhausted” as Rollins jumps to the top rope and collects Punk for a superplex off the top rope. As Rollins goes for the Falcon Arrow, Punk reverses into a GTS. CM Punk falls to his knees with Rollins bouncing off the ropes landing straight back onto the shoulders of Punk.
He collapses into the cover 1…2…3! The Best In The World is victorious over the Revolutionary!
Both men leave everything in the ring as they have gone to war against each other. A fantastic first Main Event of the Netflix Era. An eventful and memorable episode of Monday Night Raw to start the partnership between Netflix & WWE.
