CM Punk and Seth Rollins delivered an electrifying performance during WWE Raw’s first episode on Netflix on January 6th, which sparked some criticism about the match’s duration. During a discussion in her mother’s basement, host Robbie Fox highlighted the match on the new WWE Netflix series, WWE: Unreal. Fox noted there was significant tension around the match length, and fellow wrestler Abyss recalled yelling at the monitor and apologizing to WWE executive Bruce Pritchard due to concerns over timing.
CM Punk addressed whether there was frustration directed at him, explaining that since it was WWE Raw’s Netflix debut, everyone seemed a bit too relaxed about timing. However, he emphasized that the company had to remind performers to stick to their allotted time. Punk expressed that maintaining the show’s proper length is vital to him, stating he doesn’t want shows dragging on for three hours—he personally prefers a runtime around two to two and a half hours.
Punk shared, "Are you mad at me? For the Netflix debut main event? I think everyone thought because it was on Netflix, we could extend the show to three or four hours, but that’s not realistic. We have to stick to the time limits." He also mentioned cutting a lot of material from the match to make sure they stayed on schedule and recalled Bruce Pritchard urging him to manage time carefully.
The match is still widely discussed for both its in-ring quality and how it will be depicted in the upcoming WWE: Unreal series, which promises to delve into the behind-the-scenes chaos. Regardless of the timing issues, the match was ultimately a success, which is what truly matters.
Fan Take: This story highlights how even top WWE talent like Punk and Rollins face real logistical challenges, reminding fans that wrestling shows are carefully timed productions, not just spontaneous clashes. It matters because it shows WWE’s commitment to evolving their presentation for streaming platforms while maintaining quality, hinting at how the sport may adapt to new viewing habits in the future.
