A new partnership. A new stadium. A new WWE Women's World Champion.
The start of the WWE's “Netflix Era,” as Paul “Triple H” Levesque dubbed it, had an appetizer sampler of everything fans could want: pro wrestling legends The Rock and John Cena, a championship belt up for grabs between Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley, and a clash of bitter rivals Seth Rollins and CM Punk. It all went down in front of an audience of 17,000 that included stars like Vanessa Hudgens and Macaulay Culkin. Among the millions (and millions) watching live at home were WWE’s Director of Character Development, Rob Fee, and one of 2024’s most dominant superstars, Bronson Reed, who both spoke with Tudum moments after Jan 6.’s Raw concluded.
Rhea Ripley
Reed, who missed Raw due to an injury suffered in late November, is thrilled to witness the start of this new era, but disappointed not to be in the ring. “I have to sit on my couch and watch along with everyone else, which is great, but it would've been even better to be there and do my thing. I was so hyped when they first announced Raw going to Netflix. It’s a global stage. That’s what excites me most. I'm going to be able to be a part of something that's seen in so many different countries.”
Despite his “major FOMO,” Reed appreciated the premiere episode’s offerings, including the fresh aesthetic. “Little changes are big things within the WWE world. For example, the ring mat being black with advertisements on it was such a big change. WWE always had the same canvas,” he says, adding in a few other things that caught his eye. “The main event, Seth Rollins and CM Punk was incredible. The crowd was incredible. Those are the things that stuck with me the most.”
Solo Sikoa and Roman Reigns
While Fee says WWE’s creative team and talent work hard and bring their A-game every single week, he acknowledges that the move to Netflix is monumental, making this “one of the most watched shows ever.” He also believes the premiere episode laid the groundwork to captivate audiences week after week. “There were huge moments,” he adds. “John Cena announcing he’s going to be in the Royal Rumble. Logan Paul saying he’s a full-time WWE Superstar now. Roman Reigns is getting all the power back — where does that leave him? So many big things are happening now and on the way. It really feels like it's going to be appointment TV for the world, which is unbelievable. I think it's a complete game-changer.”
As for new WWE fans who’ve yet to meet Reed onscreen, rest assured that he’ll be back and bringing compelling chaos with him. “I'm dubbed as a bad guy, but I think in my own reality, I'm always the good guy. But I am a walking natural disaster. I'm like a walking car wreck. I do things that no one else on that roster can do, and I'll put my body through the pain that no one else wants to do. That’s what makes me stand out.”
Jey Uso and Drew Drew McIntyre
Reed, who clashed with Seth Rollins prior to getting injured, is watching out for potential opponents when he’s back. “I can beat CM Punk, given the match. If I hit him with the Tsunami [Reed’s finishing move], his frail, old body will not last. So, CM Punk's at the top of the list, but I've also got unfinished business with Seth Rollins, and the undisputed Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. I feel like I'm the perfect opponent for John Cena. If you've watched his career, he's always been fighting big monsters and trying to conquer them. I feel like I'm the final monster for him to overcome.”
Reed was one of Raw’s standout superstars in 2024. While an injury has momentarily derailed him (he’ll remain in a cast and avoid weight-bearing actions for at least another three weeks before a lengthy recovery), Fee says WWE’s fastpace requires everyone to adapt, especially when a rising star is suddenly unavailable. “In the NFL, if your quarterback gets hurt, the backup up comes in and the team keeps playing. In WWE, Bronson Reed was on this hot streak, then he jumps off the top of the cage and shatters his leg. Now he's out and that story is replaced with a different story. Sometimes things happen,and it forces you to move to a new idea.”
For fans who watched Raw for the first time on Jan. 6, Fee gives assurance that the emotions and experience will intensify in the weeks ahead. “Over the next several weeks, months, and years, you're going to see stories from the beginning — how they start building, how these relationships play out, how superstars interact, and you’ll get invested in these stories. The nuance is captivating [and] there’s so much attention to detail. If you enjoyed tonight, you're in for a treat, because it's only going to get more addicting from here.”
