Well folks, you thought the only thing interrupting a good WWE Raw match on Netflix would be a surprise finisher? Think again! It looks like Raw is heading to Netflix in January 2025, and—wait for it—there will still be commercials! Yes, even though Netflix is the land of binge-watching and ad-free living (well, mostly), they’ve decided Raw fans are so used to getting interrupted by ads, why stop now?
The Two-Hour Experiment… And More Commercials!
For the rest of 2024, Raw will remain on USA Network, but things will look a bit different. Starting October 7, Raw will shrink down to a two-hour format for the first time in 12 years. It’s like the show’s going on a wrestling diet, trimming down before bulking back up to three hours once it hits Netflix. But the big question on everyone’s mind is: “Will there be commercials?”
You bet there will, folks. According to the Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer, Netflix is all in on adding commercials to Raw. Why? Because Netflix wants to sprinkle more ads into both its live and pre-recorded shows, and what better place to test this than with wrestling fans? After all, we’re used to mid-match interruptions that leave us hanging just as things are about to get good. Why not throw a few more in for good measure?
Netflix’s Commercial Playbook
But wait, there’s a twist! These aren’t just your run-of-the-mill, “go grab a snack while we sell you car insurance” ads. Meltzer noted that Netflix will play around with ad lengths, throwing in some super short ones to get you back to the action faster, while others will be more like the traditional breaks we know and love from regular TV. So while you’re enjoying Raw on Netflix, be prepared for the occasional “blink-and-you-missed-it” ad—because unpredictability is the name of the game.
Speaking of unpredictability, Netflix will reportedly allow Raw to flex its runtime. You know what that means: main events could feel as uncertain as a steel cage match. You’ll never know if it’s going to be a 15-minute epic or a quick finish before you’ve even finished your popcorn. But hey, that’s part of the fun, right?
Final Thoughts?
Look, wrestling fans are nothing if not resilient. We’ve survived countless “This is Awesome!” chants, surprise heel turns, and yes, commercials. If Netflix wants to experiment with ads on Raw, bring it on. As long as the action stays top-notch and the storylines are fire, we’ll put up with the occasional commercial break—just don’t make us miss the finisher!