WWE might be streaming on Netflix now, but dont get it twistedwhen it comes to the action, storylines, and who gets pushed, its still WWEs house.
As the company wrapped a huge episode of Monday Night RAW from Londons O2 Arena, WWEs Chief Content Officer Paul Triple H Levesque made one thing crystal clear: Netflix might hold the streaming rights, but theyre not pulling any creative strings.
We create the superstars, we create the storylines. We do all of that and the world watches, Triple H told BBC Newsbeat. He compared the situation to sports, saying, Someone doesnt tell the NFL how footballs played. They distribute our product.
The deal, which kicked off in January and is reportedly worth over $5 billion, has sent WWE ratings soaringRAW has landed in Netflixs UK Top 10 for nine out of the last ten weeks. But according to Triple H, the only input Netflix has is how long the show is, when we go off air, or what time were on air.
The streaming giant is now the home for all of WWEs weekly programming outside the U.S., including RAW, SmackDown, NXT, and pay-per-view events like Royal Rumble and SummerSlam. But when it comes to the stories fans care aboutlike John Cenas shocking heel turn or Cody Rhodes rise to the topits still all WWE.
Cenas farewell tour is already a major draw as WrestleMania 41 approaches. Physically, I cant do this anymore, he reportedly told Triple H, who revealed Cena wanted to spend his final year thanking everyone and exploring new creative groundincluding turning heel after two decades as WWEs ultimate good guy.
And while Cena is back in full villain mode, Cody Rhodes isnt backing down. Im not wrestling John Cena. John Cenas wrestling me, he said, leaning into his role as the face of WWEs next generation.
Meanwhile, WWEs global reach continues to grow. London also hosted WWEs latest tryouts, with young talent like 23-year-old Hannah Foster hoping to be part of the next wave. I want to show girls that they can be strong and powerful, she said. Before I thought this was more of a mens sport.
So no, Netflix doesnt script the storylinesbut its clear WWE is writing its next chapter for the world to watch.
Do you think WWEs creative should always stay in-house, or would input from streamers like Netflix change the game for better or worse? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
