Monday marked the one-year anniversary of “WWE Raw” streaming on Netflix, and the show proved to be a significant hit, exceeding expectations, according to Dave Meltzer. Early data from the January 5 episode reveals that it garnered 1.78 million global views on its first day, reflecting a 27.9% increase from the December 29 installment. The episode is projected to reach around 3 million total views, surpassing the previous 2.57 million, as audiences both in the U.S. and internationally continue to tune in. Despite this growth, the numbers still represent a 58% decrease from “Raw’s” viewership in January 2025, though replicating the initial Netflix debut’s success is a tough benchmark.
“Raw” achieved impressive stats that overshadowed other Netflix programs, ranking as the top English-language show across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico during its premiere day. This contrasts with the December 29 episode, which only ranked 8th and 9th in the U.S. and Canada, respectively, and didn’t make the top 10 in several other countries. The January 5 ratings boost came amid no competing Monday Night Football broadcast, a strong match lineup featuring CM Punk vs. Bron Breakker and Kabuki Warriors vs. Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY, plus the buzz around Chris Jericho’s rumored return and a tie-in with Netflix’s “Stranger Things.”
Fan Take: This surge in viewership highlights WWE Raw’s growing global appeal and the power of smart programming combined with strategic collaborations like the one with “Stranger Things.” For WWE fans, it signals a promising future for the sport as it embraces streaming platforms to reach new audiences and generate more excitement around its weekly events.
