Netflix Quietly Adds a Blockbuster Franchise
Netflix has been making a series of major moves lately, most notably its decision to merge with Warner Brothers.
Last month, the streaming giant announced that the Rocky and some James Bond movies would be available on Netflix. And, now, Netflix is bringing WWE's library to subscribers. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the deal expands Netflix's existing partnership with WWE, and it comes on the heels of Peacock's agreement expiring. A year ago, Netflix added Monday Night Raw, which has proven popular.
"Netflix and WWE today announced an expansion to their long-term partnership that will see the world’s leading entertainment service become the home of WWE’s library in the U.S.," Netflix and WWE announced in a joint press release on January 6.
Netflix Says the Deal Includes WrestleMania & Royal Rumble
What will the deal entail for customers?
"Beginning immediately, Netflix is the new U.S. home for WWE’s library of Premium Live Events (prior to September 2025) including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble, as well as award-winning documentaries and original programming," the press release says.
(Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images)
"This follows the January 2025 launch of WWE on Netflix, where Monday Night Raw has become a weekly staple in the global English Top 10. Past episodes of Monday Night Raw are also available as part of the WWE library on Netflix," Netflix added.
"The arrival of WWE’s library on Netflix also comes ahead of Season 2 of original behind-the-scenes documentary series WWE: Unreal on January 20," added the release.
The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but THR reported that it is a multi-year agreement. Netflix has "more than 300 million paying subscribers in more than 190 countries," THR reported.
Some fans responded positively on social media. "Hallelujah! What a glorious day for sports fans!" wrote one person on X. But others wanted more. "About time. Now bring us the old Raw archives," another person wrote.
"Now about ya’ll actually upload the Raws and SmackDowns of all the years?? It’s been literally a year of WWE on Netflix and still no upload of all episodes," another page wrote.
"Netflix finally getting WrestleMania library? Time to cancel plans for the next month," a fan responded. "What about all the past Raw and Smackdown and NXTs? What about all the past PLEs? A year on and we are STILL waiting for the bare minimum we should of had ON RELEASE," another fan wrote.
In a Separate Deal, People Will Be Able to Watch the 'Rocky' & Some James Bond Movies on Netflix
The Rocky, and four James Bond movies are among the other titles that will be available to Netflix subscribers.
According to Variety, “Several James Bond titles are set to come to the streaming giant starting in January.” Variety called it a “surprising development” as the titles are owned by Amazon MGM, a Netflix competitor.
Chris Ottinger, Head of Worldwide Distribution at Amazon MGM Studios, told Variety, “When Amazon acquired MGM, Amazon’s plan was to continue licensing MGM’s iconic library to streaming and television partners around the world. Bringing these iconic films and shows to Netflix is part of that continued strategy.”