Before the show, there was a lot of buzz suggesting that the cast of Stranger Things would be appearing on WWE RAW, but that was never actually planned. According to PWInsider, actors like Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike Wheeler, and other members of the cast were not scheduled to be part of the January 5th episode. The event, called Stranger Things WWE RAW Edition, was primarily a branding effort rather than a live guest appearance showcase.
Instead, the collaboration emphasized creating an immersive Stranger Things atmosphere at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, complete with Demogorgon-themed visuals, upside-down fonts, eerie lighting, and even a limited edition Stranger Things WWE championship belt. Netflix was reportedly very pleased with how the event turned out and saw it as a strong promotional push for their upcoming behind-the-scenes documentary, The Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, releasing on January 12th.
Although the Hawkins, Indiana setting didn’t physically take over RAW, the Upside Down’s influence was strongly felt throughout the night, though some fans believe the show would have been even more exciting with actual appearances from the cast.
Did you expect to see stars like Finn Wolfhard on WWE RAW, or do you think the crossover succeeded without them? Share your thoughts below!
Fan Take: This crossover highlights WWE’s creative efforts to blend pop culture with wrestling entertainment, making for a fresh and engaging experience for fans. It also shows the potential for future collaborations that could broaden WWE’s appeal beyond its traditional audience.
