The primary episode of WWE’s Monday night time flagship program “Uncooked” on Netflix largely appeared and seemed like one other chapter within the longest-running episodic present on tv.
However it definitely didn’t really feel like a run-of-the-mill Monday night time providing, and that’s clearly by design.
Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, will go down as one of many largest nights within the historical past {of professional} wrestling. It’d go down as one of many largest nights in leisure and media historical past, too. The groundbreaking partnership might set the mould for future enterprise offers whereas reworking how each corporations are seen world wide.
Fairly heady stuff.
Listed below are some winners and losers from the first night time of WWE’s new period:
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WINNER: Netflix and the WWE
Duh, proper? If the primary night time is any indication, the choice to pay $5 billion for the rights to “Uncooked” goes to age fairly properly for Netflix. The ranking absolutely shall be by the roof, and the power to place this content material in entrance of billions the world over has limitless worth. It’s additionally a significant step ahead in Netflix’s quest to additional conquer the media world with essentially the most useful asset in media: dwell occasions. After the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson buffering snafu, Netflix has some momentum with the Christmas Day NFL doubleheader and a clean debut for Uncooked.
As for the WWE, did we point out the $5 billion? On high of that, we’re dwelling in a world the place distribution is a significant hurdle for content material creators, particularly because the linear TV mannequin faces main uncertainty. The WWE might be about to succeed in world heights it has by no means seen.
LOSER: Professional wrestling’s old style
Kayfabe is deader than lifeless, and there are in all probability some old-school followers on the market who have been turned off by a few of Monday night time’s developments. The opening video bundle was spectacular however went out of its solution to inform you you’re watching one thing scripted. We form of all know that, however it’s simply one other signal this can be a actually completely different period.
WINNER: Drones
There was a lot dronage! Drones have been all over the place. From the intricate drone gentle reveals splashed throughout the Los Angeles sky to the progressive photographs inside Intuit Dome, it’s clear WWE (and Netflix?) have been able to check out some new toys. WWE continues to be largely accountable for TV manufacturing of Uncooked, however will probably be value watching to see if there are extra improvements with the way it seems on TV now that Netflix is concerned, too.
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LOSER: Cody Rhodes
The undisputed WWE champion had a wierd night time. You can definitely argue he, because the face of the corporate, ought to have opened the present. That honor went to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, which is comprehensible, particularly given the latter’s standing on the corporate’s board. Nonetheless, it was bizarre that WWE used Rhodes as a supporting character for Johnson, placing him ringside for the opening promo after which once more in a backstage phase. He did do a run-in through the Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa match, however it’s shocking he didn’t have extra of a presence. Talking of …
LOSER: WrestleMania ticket holders
The WWE actually needed to make Monday night time an enormous deal, and it might need come on the expense of WrestleMania. Based on a report, two Mania matches have been moved to Uncooked: CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins and Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley. Not solely that, it’s laborious to look at The Rock’s involvement in something and imagine he’ll have in-ring involvement in Las Vegas, too. As a substitute of Rock-Rhodes, it positive feels (and perhaps appears like?) John Cena will get that title match at Mania which leaves one thing to be desired, fairly frankly.
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LOSER: Gunther
The world heavyweight champion’s largest second of the night time might need been when CM Punk known as him out after the primary occasion. Apart from that, not a lot occurring for the opposite champion, both.
WINNER: Rhea Ripley
She’s the largest ladies’s star within the sport, and it’s not significantly shut. She will get the title again, and the Mania shake-up may gain advantage her, particularly if somebody like Charlotte Aptitude makes a return on the Royal Rumble.
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WINNER: Seth Rollins
How is the loser of the primary occasion a winner? Rollins continues to placed on unbelievable matches with nearly everybody, and what’s particularly spectacular is that he hasn’t received an enormous match in what seems like years. He’s on a generational run of placing over main stars and making them look higher within the course of. Although he isn’t profitable, he nonetheless will get booked for essential occasions usually and stays as over as he has ever been. Spectacular stuff — simply ask CM Punk.
LOSER: Hulk Hogan
A willingness to place others over and make them look good has by no means been a trademark for Hogan. Maybe that’s all catching up with him? It will be straightforward, lazy even, to say Hogan’s political foray is the rationale he acquired booed out of the constructing in blue California. It goes past that, although. There was loads of proof earlier than Hogan acquired anyplace near the Republican Nationwide Conference stage that he was a nasty dude, and folks don’t overlook — particularly wrestling followers. And at this level, apathy performs an enormous function, too. Like, we get it, we get all of it — from the flag-waving Jimmy Hart to the Andre the Big mentions to the brothers and Hulkamania and on and on. That Monday’s calamity was largely placed on the books for Hogan to hawk his new beer solely made it worse. Perhaps that on-screen look was a part of the deal (the beer was marketed on the brand new canvas, too), however it felt like an personal aim on an in any other case celebratory night time.
At this level, the Hulkster ought to flip his focus to a senate run or no matter else he’s acquired cooked up for his later years and cease pretending it’s 1989.
WINNER: Macaulay Culkin
Conversely, Culkin acquired one of many largest pops of the night time. The “Dwelling Alone” star’s reception was much more notable subsequent to the loud boos for Hogan. Big night time for millennials.
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WINNER: Jey Uso
Has Jey Uso ever had a very memorable singles match? Not likely! However individuals positive love waving their arms round when he comes out, and the Travis Scott rub solely amplified Jey’s star energy in right now’s WWE.
LOSER: Will Friedle
If you happen to’re asking your self “Who’s Will Friedle?” proper now, you’re a part of the issue. The actor greatest recognized for his function as Eric Matthews on “Boy Meets World” was proven twice on digicam through the celeb function calls all through the night time. It was particularly painful for followers of a sure age to see Danielle Fishel, aka Topanga Lawrence, get her (deserved) props with none acknowledgment for Friedle sitting proper subsequent to her. The person was pressed by WWE legend Vader in an episode again within the 90s, for crying out loud. Make it proper, WWE!
