The wait is finally over. Raw… is… Netflix! And the longest-running episodic television series in history will be leaving the USA Network for Netflix, starting Monday, January 6th.

This will be an adjustment for everyone involved, but the change can lead to a total revision of the product. When Triple H took over as the Chief Content Officer, WWE producers weren’t afraid to try new things, such as less frequent camera switches, wrestlers entering through the crowd, cameras following talent through the entranceway, leaving nuggets in the background of backstage interviews, and more innovative strategies that make the product feel fresh. Netflix should provide the same vibe.

So what can you really expect from the debut of Raw on Netflix? We have four matches confirmed so far.

CM PUNK vs. SETH ROLLINS

Punk and Rollins were originally slated to be at WrestleMania 40, but a torn triceps suffered by Punk in the Royal Rumble Match modified a card that is always subject to change. Revisiting this almost a year later, Rollins took exception to Punk teaming with The Bloodline at Survivor Series and now we get the first match between the two on Raw’s Netflix debut.

This has been marketed as the main event, which tells me two things. They could be marketing this as a “multi-main event” Raw to make this Netflix debut feel like a Premium Live Event. Or, that means the Tribal Combat will not lead to the return of the Final Boss. WWE still has a chance to modify the order, but if this is the main event, it’ll likely go out with a bang. I can’t foresee this being the only time Rollins and Punk lock up, assuming a trilogy ends at WrestleMania 41 this season.

DREW McINTYRE vs. JEY USO

Speaking of people taking exception to aligning themselves with Roman Reigns, Drew McIntyre has been on a path, avenging those who have wronged him in the past, and particularly costing him the world championship. Seeing “Main Event” Jey Uso realign himself with Roman’s Bloodline has pushed McIntyre over the edge. We already have seen McIntyre versus Punk, so Drew is focusing on the rest of the Bloodline. Starting with Sami Zayn and taking care of business, he has redirected his focus towards Jey Uso.

McIntyre is now on SmackDown, so this should be his final Raw appearance. Still, I can see a scenario where Drew McIntyre beats Jey Uso and moves forward with his quest to right the wrongs of his career.

LIV MORGAN vs. RHEA RIPLEY FOR THE WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 

This is the feud that has carried Monday Night Raw in its final 8 months on the USA Network. Liv Morgan’s revenge tour has taken Rhea Ripley’s Judgment Day, her “Dirty Dom” and her Women’s World Championship. It’s only fitting to have this feud culminate one final time on the Raw on Netflix debut to make room for fresh stories and opponents. I could see these two going their separate ways and one switching brands to force new matchups.

Typically, heels don’t win feuds, especially ones like this. Rhea Ripley was wrongfully stripped of the Women’s World Championship on the cusp of becoming the longest-reigning Women’s World Champion of the modern era. Who knows how long we would have gotten from that title reign if Rhea Ripley doesn’t get injured last spring? Although Rhea Ripley will never win back her Dominik Mysterio, or her Judgment Day, she can win back the Women’s World Championship and take something from this feud – one of the hottest feuds of 2024.

ROMAN REIGNS vs. SOLO SIKOA in Tribal Combat for the Tribal Chief Name

It all comes down to this. In my humble opinion, this match should main event Monday Night Raw. While CM Punk and Seth Rollins are a hot feud and will set up the stage for WrestleMania 41, Reigns and Sikoa are coming to (what appears to be) the finality of their story. The Bloodline story has been going strong for more than 4 years. It either is the final chapter of Roman Reigns versus Solo Sikoa and their battling Bloodlines, or it is the next advancement with introducing a new member (Hikuleo, Zilla Fatu, etc.) or bringing The Rock back.

Not seeing Roman Reigns in the main event would be a travesty, but it would be even bigger if this is the finality and he doesn’t win back the Tribal Chief name. If it isn’t the end of this chapter, expect a huge swerve where Solo Sikoa wins with new help.

WHAT ELSE?

Tribal Combat isn’t the only spot for a return or a debut. Becky Lynch’s contract expired after being a transitional champion in the Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley feud this summer, and Becky hasn’t been seen since. Lynch was notably in the Raw on Netflix commercial, and if she wasn’t under contract, the production team would take her off. It appears Becky Lynch is set to return and should be the next person to battle the Women’s World Champion.

The inaugural Women’s Intercontinental Champion will not be crowned this week, as it appears they have delayed the tournament finals between Dakota Kai and Lyra Valkyria to a future Raw episode to not get lost in the big Raw on Netflix debut. Rather, I’d expect a video package and some airtime promoting the championship match, potentially next week.

Overall, WWE should expect a new audience on Netflix. While we do have a space for culmination of stories and advancement of ongoing, we should see a lot of packages and promos catching the new viewers up to speed. The Netflix move is a big one for Raw and can expand the WWE Universe, returning the industry to one of the biggest pop culture bonding experiences in the modern day.

You thought the Attitude Era was big? Wait for this.