The WWE on Netflix premiere wasn't for the hardcore viewers

The WWE on Netflix premiere has come and gone. Now that January 6 has passed, there are thoughts raging about WWE’s first show with its new streaming partner. There’s a lot to discuss, review, and rightfully criticize. But it is worth noting that this premiere wasn’t for the hardcore fans who watch WWE and professional wrestling week after week. This show was a re-introduction of sorts for WWE to once again be “cool” again.

Look online and you’ll be quick to see the discourse about WWE on Netflix. In the eyes of some, this was a horrible display of either professional wrestling or sports entertainment. It was WWE congratulating itself for its success, while kissing the ring of its new partner, Netflix. Four actual matches across three hours of television are not enough – harkening back to the worst days of Vince McMahon’s booking that WWE is still attempting to move past. There are a lot of justifiable criticisms in a lot of the feedback coming on Tuesday.

Then there’s the other side of the coin. In the eyes of some, this premiere wasn’t for the hardcore viewer. Instead, this was an attempt by WWE to “remind” the lapsed fans who watched years ago that it is “OK” to come back to the product. The company has long wanted to convince wrestling fans that it is cool to watch the product again. In the eyes of decision-makers behind the scenes, it’s clear that their measurement of “cool” is to be linked to celebrities of various industries, featuring them on television more than some of the biggest names on the roster. This was perhaps the biggest and most clear reminder that WWE values the E for entertainment above all else, especially professional wrestling.

It would be best to expect WWE Monday Night Raw to look like it has looked the last year with Triple H leading creative. Overall, those shows are more approved compared to what was given to viewers on January 6. Even more so, no one outside of WWE and Netflix leadership will know what success looks like for a live product on a streaming service.

The January 6 episode wasn’t for the people who want to tune in to see Dakota Kai and Lyra Valkyria battle for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship or Finn Balor versus Damian Priest. This episode wasn’t for the people who are excited about Tiffany Stratton being built into the next big name in women’s wrestling. This episode was for the people who want professional wrestling to be “cool” again. Whatever that means. Did it work? There will never be a definitive answer to that question. However, fans should still be excited for what’s to come as WWE moves into a new era.