Washington— The historic Netflix premiere of WWE Raw on January 7 opened a groundbreaking new chapter in the world of professional wrestling. Held at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California, this broadcast brought a thrilling mix of star-studded moments, historic matches, and unforgettable appearances that have sent shockwaves through the WWE universe.
The evening kicked off with an explosive Tribal Combat match between Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa. Reigns, the Undisputed Tribal Chief, triumphed by pinning Sikoa with a powerful spear, solidifying his dominance over The Bloodline. This highly anticipated bout set the tone for the rest of the action-packed night.
In the WWE Women’s World Championship match, Rhea Ripley took on Liv Morgan in a fierce battle. Ripley’s strength and skill were on full display as she struck Morgan with her signature move, the Riptide, to become the new WWE Women’s World Champion. The crowd erupted in celebration as Ripley claimed her victory, ushering in a new era for the women’s division.
The star power on display didn’t stop there. Legendary figures such as The Rock and John Cena made their returns, adding an extra layer of excitement to the already high-energy event.
The Rock made a surprise appearance, carrying the People’s Championship and receiving a thunderous standing ovation from the audience. He paid homage to his late father, Rocky Johnson, and promised to keep a close eye on the Tribal Combat match. In an emotional moment, The Rock embraced Cody Rhodes before leaving the ring.
John Cena, beginning his retirement tour, also made a memorable return. The audience erupted as Cena entered the ring with his trademark run-up. The veteran wrestler, visibly emotional, thanked both RAW and Netflix for providing him with the platform to make his final appearance in Los Angeles. Cena confirmed that he would compete in his last men’s Royal Rumble match later this month, closing a legendary chapter in his career.
In a heartwarming moment, WWE icon The Undertaker paid tribute to Rhea Ripley’s victory. Riding his motorbike to the ring, The Undertaker shared the spotlight with Ripley, lifting their arms in celebration. The moment was a nostalgic callback to the early days of Raw when The Undertaker made his legendary appearances.
The night’s full match results included:
- Solo Sikoa vs. Roman Reigns (Tribal Combat match)
Roman Reigns defeated Solo Sikoa with a spear, cementing his place as the Undisputed Tribal Chief. - Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan (WWE Women’s World Championship match)
Rhea Ripley defeated Liv Morgan via pinfall after hitting her with the Riptide, becoming the new WWE Women’s World Champion. - Drew McIntyre vs. Jey Uso
Jey Uso won with an Inside Cradle on Drew McIntyre in an intense bout. - Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk
CM Punk defeated Seth Rollins with his signature GTS (Go To Sleep) maneuver, adding another victory to his iconic career.
The Raw Netflix premiere not only marked a milestone for WWE’s global reach but also highlighted its star-studded roster and ability to produce compelling, larger-than-life moments that continue to captivate fans worldwide.
