In a surprising shake-up, WWE’s Monday Night Raw on Netflix officially overtook Squid Game season two as the platform’s most-watched show this week. This milestone comes just days after Raw’s highly anticipated debut on the streaming service as part of WWE’s groundbreaking $5 billion, 10-year deal with Netflix.
The January 6 episode of Monday Night Raw on Netflix attracted a staggering 4.9 million global views, with an average of 2.6 million U.S. households tuning in. This marked a 116% increase from the previous year’s U.S. average of 1.2 million households. To put it into perspective, this episode achieved the highest U.S. viewership for Raw in over five years, further solidifying WWE’s staying power as a global entertainment force.
CM Punk delivers a flying cross-body to Seth “Freakin'” Rollins on Monday Night RAW on Netflix – YouTube, WWE
The star-studded episode featured blockbuster matches and appearances by wrestling icons and celebrities, including The Rock, The Undertaker, Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Hulk Hogan, and even John Cena, who kicked off his farewell tour that will last through 2025. Held at the sold-out Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, the event also set a new record as WWE’s highest-grossing arena show, reflecting the magnetic pull of the Monday Night Raw brand in a streaming-dominated era.
This will be Netflix’s first weekly live show, so many were wondering how it would be received. Reviews of the show’s quality are mixed (as is no big shock in the wrestling world), but the numbers make Raw’s debut an objective success.
Hulk Hogan promoting Real American Beer on Monday Night RAW – YouTube, Entertainment Tonight
The dethroning of Netflix’s Squid Game comes at an interesting time for the series. While the latest season of Squid Game set initial viewership records, it has not been without its share of controversy. Fans expressed disappointment with the season’s abrupt cliffhanger ending, which many felt left too many storylines unresolved. Unlike the first season, which told a contained and compelling narrative, the follow-up appears to have sacrificed storytelling for shock value and a hook going into the third and final season.
Many also panned the series’ overt embrace of gender politics this season, with several moments feeling more like heavy-handed commentary than organic storytelling. The season currently has a 63% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, which is only three away from being certified rotten.
Lee Jung-jae in the trailer for Squid Games Season 2 – YouTube, Netflix
The decision to release a shorter season, despite the massive budget and resources afforded to the show, added further fuel to the fire. While fans were eager to return to the high-stakes world of Squid Game, the truncated season left many feeling underwhelmed and even frustrated, especially when compared to the broader appeal of WWE’s straightforward, high-energy programming.
The shift of Monday Night Raw to Netflix is part of WWE’s strategic effort to capitalize on streaming’s global reach. With Netflix boasting over 282 million subscribers in 190 countries, WWE’s partnership opens the door to entirely new audiences. It was the first time ever that Monday Night RAW was broadcast to the entire world simultaneously.
John Cena on Monday Night RAW on Netflix – YouTube, WWE
This shows the power of live pro wrestling as a dominant force in media, with WWE proving its ability to thrive amid the changing landscape of how audiences consume content.
By delivering action-packed entertainment, WWE seems to have avoided the pitfalls that plagued Squid Game this season. Wrestling fans and casual viewers alike were treated to a thrilling and cohesive product that did what entertainment is supposed to do: entertain.
Did you watch Monday Night RAW on Netflix? Are you surprised to see it knock Squid Games off Netflix’s top spot? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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