After months of anticipation, “WWE Unreal” debuted on Netflix this week, giving fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse into WWE’s creative process. While it’s too soon to gauge viewership numbers, critical reactions have been mixed—some praise the unprecedented access, while others feel the show sanitizes WWE’s backstage reality. There’s also curiosity about how fans, wrestlers, and WWE staff perceive the series and its intentions.
According to Fightful Select, many WWE insiders have strong feelings about the show. One wrestler featured in the documentary admitted surprise at how often WWE was filming behind the scenes. Others expressed disinterest in censoring their language or revealing private conversations, with one even humorously commenting on the frequency of certain swear words backstage.
As for the show’s authenticity, it’s been confirmed that some scenes were staged. For example, the “Royal Rumble, Asked to Empty” celebration for Charlotte Flair’s win was arranged in advance. It was also planned that Triple H would inform Ishausspeed about his Royal Rumble status, making that moment not a genuine surprise. There was speculation about whether the controversial Charlotte/Tiffany Stratton storyline for the March “SmackDown” episode was scripted for the show, but this remains unconfirmed.
Despite initial concerns over authenticity, a WWE producer expressed satisfaction with the final product. While some talent was curious about how the footage was edited, most were pleased. Wrestlers who usually don’t get screen time were expected to watch the show, and WWE seems content with the attention the series has generated.
Fan Take: This documentary offers WWE enthusiasts a rare, albeit partially scripted, look behind the curtain, providing new insights into the wrestling world’s inner workings. For fans, it’s a chance to deepen their understanding and connection to the sport, potentially boosting interest and engagement going forward.
