You know the routine: you can stream and download this week's episode via SoundCloud, and subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify! We stream live every Thursday at 8:35PM ET on YouTube. We also encourage you to become a member of the BRPatreon, where you can get even MORE exclusive content (and merch discounts)! We'll catch you next week; tell a friend to tell their homies to LIKE, rate, comment, subscribe, and share!
WWE and TNA Wrestling’s partnership (which was announced today) and the WWE ID initiative (revealed late last year) are more than just business moves. They are the ultimate shake-up of the wrestling world, with opportunities for WWE Superstars past, present, and future. With WWE and TNA’s new partnership allowing NXT Superstars and TNA talent to step into each other’s territory, we’re officially entering a new era of collaboration that could redefine careers and meet fan expectations.
For stars who’ve left WWE, this partnership could be the ultimate comeback story or at least a chance to shine again. Picture this: a second shot for wrestlers who felt their journeys were cut short or for those who’ve been grinding in other promotions, waiting to prove they still belong in the spotlight. And let’s be real, TNA just became the perfect proving ground for ex-WWE talent like AJ Francis, Kushida, Mustafa Ali, Nic Nemeth, and even Ying Lee, who might be itching for reinvention. The door is wide open for bigger storylines, banger matches, and potential comebacks that fans didn’t even know they needed.
But this partnership isn’t just about the veterans. It’s a golden ticket for rising stars, especially Black talent, who now have a pipeline to thrive in two major wrestling markets at once. Between WWE’s NIL Program and WWE ID, the spotlight is getting bigger for underrepresented voices. Aspiring stars like Tasha Steelz, Savannah Evans, Chris Bey, Jonathan Gresham, and Jack Price can now realistically dream of standing on wrestling’s grandest stage. This next-level opportunity.
Also too, let’s give credit where it’s due, TNA just leveled up. Sure WWE is still the king of the mountain, but TNA’s roster and brand now has more eyes on them than ever. This partnership makes TNA a promising option for free agents or even overlooked WWE talent. Could WWE have a hand in influencing who TNA signs? Maybe. Could this lead to smoother transitions, co-branded storylines or even a few strategic snubs?(Cue side-eye.) Either way, the options for potential stars in the space looking to make waves just doubled.
The real winners though? Us, the fans (shoutout to Slick!). This partnership is opening the floodgates for fantasy bookings to come true, wild crossover drama, and career renaissances we once thought were impossible. It’s an exciting time to be a wrestling fan. WWE and TNA are betting big, and we love to see it.
Catch Mimi, also known as #TheWrestlingChic, co-hosting #TheBuckle: #TurnbuckleTalk, every Tuesday at 6:35PM ET on X Spaces and Thursday at 8:35PM ET w/the rest of the crew on The Black Rasslin' Podcast on YouTube.
When WWE first announced the historic move of Monday Night RAW to Netflix in January 2024, I’ll admit, I had my doubts. The longest-running episodic TV show in history shifting from cable to a paid streaming platform? It felt risky. How would this play out for WWE’s loyal fanbase, especially those who’ve been riding with the product for decades on traditional TV? I worried about partnerships, sponsors, and, let’s keep it all the way real, whether this would alienate fans who couldn’t afford another subscription (even if Netflix is always top-tier in the streaming list). WWE’s global footprint has grown massive over the years and the idea of putting RAW behind a paywall had me side-eyeing the whole plan. Literally… “Iono”
Netflix’in Like a Superstar’s Return
Fast forward to this week and boy, did WWE silence the skeptics (which included yours truly). The numbers don’t lie; #RAWonNetflix was a certified hit. Pulling in 4.9 million Live+1 global views, this wasn’t just a win; it was a mic-drop moment for both WWE and Netflix. In the U.S. alone, RAW averaged 2.6 million households, more than doubling its 2024 cable audience and delivering the best RAW ratings in five years. That’s not just growth, that’s breaking the ceiling and the walls around it.
The sold-out debut at L.A.’s Intuit Dome smashed records, becoming WWE’s highest-grossing arena event of all time, while also setting a merchandise sales record for a non-PPV event. But let’s get into the card itself and all the extras:
Rhea Ripley reclaimed the Women’s World Championship from Liv Morgan (yaaass!)
Roman Reigns defeated Solo Sikoa in a brutal Tribal Combat match (because our Tribal Chief always delivers)
CM Punk edged out Seth “Freakin” Rollins (okay… I’ll admit it had me rolling my eyes, but also low-key a good match)
Jey UsoYeet’d Drew McIntyre out the building
And the cameos? From The Rock hyping the crowd with his opening promo to Travis Scott’s spliff puffing entrance, plus appearances from The Undertaker, Logan Paul, and John Cena, who kicked off his farewell tour (exclusively for Netflix). The night was a whole vibe, stacked with big money and even bigger moments for history.
Social Media Domination
The hype began days before, with timelines buzzing with chatter. Lapsed and non-wrestling fans were curious to see what all the excitement was about. The moment the show went live, social media exploded. RAW became the #1 trending topic in major markets like the U.S., Brazil, and the UK, where it held the top spot for an incredible 14 hours straight. Meanwhile, #RAWonNetflix and #WWEonNetflix lit up timelines in Mexico, Spain, and Canada. WWE didn’t just trend, they owned the People's internet for the night and days after.
WWE’s Gamble Pays Off
It’s safe to say that WWE’s streaming gamble paid off in championship gold. Netflix’s massive global reach took RAW’s audience to new heights, and with SmackDown, NXT, and WWE Premium Live Events also joining the platform internationally, the future of WWE storytelling just got way bigger, and way more binge-worthy.
Now, I wasn’t sure how this would shake out, but RAW’s record-breaking debut proves one thing: WWE isn’t just playing the game; they’re rewriting the rules. But let’s keep it real, this was just one night. The real question is, can they keep this same energy week after week?
Catch Mimi, also known as #TheWrestlingChic, co-hosting #TheBuckle: #TurnbuckleTalk, every Tuesday at 6:35PM ET on X Spaces and Thursday at 8:35PM ET w/the rest of the crew on The Black Rasslin' Podcast on YouTube.
The Black Rasslin' Podcast returns for a healthy dose of rasslin'-flavored insight and entertainment! This week, Fam, Matth, Mimi, DDm, and khal return to recap WWE Raw's debut on Netflix, NXT New Year's Evil, and MUCH MORE!
You know the routine: you can stream and download this week's episode via SoundCloud, and subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify! We stream live every Thursday at 8:35PM ET on YouTube. We also encourage you to become a member of the BRPatreon, where you can get even MORE exclusive content (and merch discounts)! We'll catch you next week; tell a friend to tell their homies to LIKE, rate, comment, subscribe, and share!
The Black Rasslin' Podcast returns for a healthy dose of rasslin'-flavored insight and entertainment! This week, Fam, Matth, DDm, and khal return to talk Sweet Daddy Siki's legacy, Omos winning big in NOAH, Raw's last show on USA (and their first show on Netflix), NXT New Year's Evil, the BRP Fat Tape '24, and more!
You know the routine: you can stream and download this week's episode via SoundCloud, and subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify! We stream live every Thursday at 8:35PM ET on YouTube. We also encourage you to become a member of the BRPatreon, where you can get even MORE exclusive content (and merch discounts)! We'll catch you next week; tell a friend to tell their homies to LIKE, rate, comment, subscribe, and share!
The Black Rasslin' Podcast returns for a healthy dose of rasslin'-flavored insight and entertainment! This week, Fam, Matth, DDm, and khal talk Omos potentially working in Pro-Wrestling NOAH, the latest on The New Day, thoughts ahead of AEW Worlds End this weekend, and much more!
You know the routine: you can stream and download this week's episode via SoundCloud, and subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify! We stream live every Thursday at 8:35PM ET on YouTube. We also encourage you to become a member of the BRPatreon,
where you can get even MORE exclusive content (and merch discounts)!
We'll catch you next week; tell a friend to tell their homies to LIKE,
rate, comment, subscribe, and
share!
The Black Rasslin' Podcast returns for a healthy dose of rasslin'-flavored insight and entertainment! This week, Fam, Matth, DDm, and khal talks to Darius Carter about becoming ASÉ Men's Champion and his 2024
before recapping Saturday Night's Main Event, the fallout on Raw and
WWE's road to Netflix, and much more!
You know the routine: you can stream and download this week's episode via SoundCloud, and subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify! We stream live every Thursday at 8:35PM ET on YouTube. We also encourage you to become a member of the BRPatreon,
where you can get even MORE exclusive content (and merch discounts)!
We'll catch you next week; tell a friend to tell their homies to LIKE,
rate, comment, subscribe, and
share!
The Black Rasslin' Podcast returns for a healthy dose of rasslin'-flavored insight and entertainment! This week, Fam, Matth, Mimi, and khal returns to talk ASÉ Wrestling's one-year anniversary show (where they crowned their Men's Champion), give some thoughts on NXT Deadline, preview this weekend's Saturday Night's Main Event special on NBC, and more!
You know the routine: you can stream and download this week's episode via SoundCloud, and subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify! We stream live every Thursday at 8:35PM ET on YouTube. We also encourage you to become a member of the BRPatreon,
where you can get even MORE exclusive content (and merch discounts)!
We'll catch you next week; tell a friend to tell their homies to LIKE,
rate, comment, subscribe, and
share!
The road to that victory, which saw Carter systematically demolish Lockhart (who was the first person to bleed in the history of ASÉ), was an interesting one, primarily because Carter didn't even qualify.
