In a significant shift in the world of professional wrestling, WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) has announced a new partnership with Netflix, set to take effect in 2025. This move has sparked a mix of excitement and curiosity among fans, with many wondering what changes they can expect from the new collaboration. In this article, we’ll delve into the details of the partnership, explore the potential implications for WWE content, and examine what fans can look forward to in the Netflix era.
Less Censorship, More Uncut Action
One of the most significant changes fans can expect from the Netflix partnership is a reduction in censorship. Currently, WWE’s TV-PG rating means that content is heavily edited to conform to broadcast standards. This often results in awkward black screens, muted audio, and cut-away shots during matches. With Netflix, fans can expect a more uncut product, free from the constraints of traditional television.
Many fans have grown tired of matches getting cut down to meet network TV time limits. But there have also been cuts owning to people giving the middle finger or cursing.
This shift towards less censorship is likely to be a welcome change for fans who have grown tired of the heavily edited content on traditional TV. However, it’s worth noting that WWE is unlikely to return to the explicit content of the Attitude Era, which was marked by its edgy and often provocative storylines. Also, I’ve had a quick look at some of the back catalogue that’s now available, and some cursing has been censored in it – but maybe that was the original broadcast too?
No Return to the Attitude Era
While some fans may be hoping for a return to the Attitude Era, it’s unlikely that WWE will revert to its former self. The company has evolved significantly since then, and its focus on family-friendly content has proven to be a lucrative strategy. Toys make more money that eyeballs tuning in for blood.
The audience is loaded with kids and there’s simply no way the WWE can cut that younger demographic out of it’s wider audience.
A return to the Attitude Era would also bring a wealth of problems, given quite a bit of content back in the day simply wouldn’t be allowed today, and rightly so.
Instead, fans can expect a more nuanced approach to content, with a focus on storytelling and character development which has fast become a trademark under Triple H’s tenure. While there may be some relaxation of the rules around language and violence with a little less censorship and over-editing, it’s unlikely that WWE will push the boundaries too far.
Increased Accessibility and Revenue
The new Netflix partnership is also expected to increase accessibility to WWE content, particularly for fans outside the United States and here in Ireland. Currently, fans often have to choose between expensive subscriptions or poor quality pirated streams.
With Netflix, fans will be able to access high-quality streams of WWE content, including Raw, SmackDown and NXT, live and on-demand as soon as they’re released. Today, you can watch over 40 years of WWE (and of course, formerly WWF) PPV events. I’ve kicked off with watching Survivor Series from 1998. This really was the peak era of professional wrestling for me.
Netflix has organised these by PPV making them easy to browse. So you pick the PPV you want to watch, and then the year you want to watch. It’s a massive collection of content, now available to Netflix subscribers.
There’s also a back catalogue of Raw episodes too, however there are quite a few missing. More are potentially coming, so let’s wait and see.
This article was created with the support of Goosed.ie’s in-house AI-assisted writing tool, designed to aid our writers, not replace them. While the tool offers outlines and context, all content is crafted and edited by the Goosed team.
