Wed Jan 08 00:25:35 UTC 2025: ## WWE’s Netflix Debut a Stinky “Super Bowl,” Not WrestleMania: Rock’s Appearance Overshadows Wrestling

**Los Angeles, CA** – WWE’s highly anticipated debut on Netflix, billed as a WrestleMania-level event, fell flat for many viewers, feeling more like a corporate affair than a compelling wrestling show. The biggest culprit? The Rock’s performance. Instead of his usual charismatic villain persona, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson appeared as a seemingly disengaged board member, engaging in friendly, out-of-character interactions with Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns.

This casual approach undermined the carefully crafted storylines that have defined WWE’s recent success under Triple H, erasing weeks of character development with unscripted moments more suitable for a Hall of Fame event than a flagship program. The appearance of Hulk Hogan, whose beer company sponsored the new ring mat, further added to the tone-deaf nature of the evening.

While the matches themselves were praised, the overall show lacked the edge and surprising outcomes that keep fans engaged. The inclusion of celebrities like Travis Scott and The Undertaker also felt jarring and out of place. The pacing suffered, with three hours feeling excessively long, and the show lacked a compelling cliffhanger or storyline development to hook new viewers.

The Rock’s performance drew particular criticism, leaving Cody Rhodes’ storyline in limbo and highlighting John Cena’s continued superiority on the microphone. The event felt less like a wrestling show and more like a launchpad for WrestleMania season, with key rivalries seemingly disregarded for the sake of celebrity appearances and corporate synergy.

Many fans felt the show was more geared towards executives and Netflix executives than the loyal wrestling audience. Concerns are now rising about whether this corporate-driven approach will become a weekly feature on Raw, a departure from the pro-wrestling focus seen during WWE’s transition to Fox. The fear is that this new direction, potentially influenced by external pressures, could ultimately alienate viewers and damage WWE’s brand. While the show will likely generate significant streaming numbers, the underwhelming execution leaves a sour taste, raising questions about the future of WWE’s Netflix partnership.

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