#117 – Raw is Netflix

Much Ado About Wrestling

Welcome to the streaming age of wrestling! The Scholars preview Raw’s Netflix debut by revisiting other Raw “network debut” episodes.

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The Scholars start things off with some quick discussion of the new streaming era of wrestling with AEW’s launch on MAX and the contraction of WWE content from Peacock, and highlight the recent AEW and New Japan barrage of shows including World’s End, WrestleKingdom, and Wrestle Dynasty.(03:15)
Then, it’s time to look at the three “debut” episodes of RAW in its history of changing networks. They look at the very first episode of RAW on USA in 1993 – running down what WWE programming was like before Raw, who and why was Rob Bartlett there, and what glimpses of success were in that pilot. Then they move on to the cash grab move to TNN in 2000, and how that revolved around Steve Austin playing detective to try to find out who ran him over with a car 10 months prior. And finally, they look at Raw Homecoming from 2005, with the move back to USA, a reliance on legends segment, and the Raw vs. Smackdown of it all. (19:30)

Finally, the scholars talk about the history of RAW’s theme music and build expectations for the first Netflix Raw. They talk about which matches on the card should open or close, how and why the aesthetics might change, and whether John Cena will be appearing and who he should first feud with on his retirement tour. (57:24)
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