International WWE fans will see a lot of content disappear when the Netflix switch happens.
Although fans in the United States will be able to stream new episodes of Raw from the service beginning January 6th, fans in markets such as the UK and Canada will get even more value for their money as SmackDown, NXT and Premium Live Events will be included as part of their subscription. However, while the deal looks to be very beneficial for international fans, this does mean the WWE Network will come to an end at the end of 2024.
For the past decade, the Network has contained the biggest content library in pro wrestling history with archive footage from WCW, ECW and the territories, documentaries, reality series and more. With the Network closing down, fans overseas have expressed concern over what will be available in January and which shows will be once again sent back to the archives.
Non-WWE Content Not Expected To Make It To Netflix
Netflix subscribers have noted in recent weeks that old WWE pay-per-views have begun to crop up on the platform ahead of the January 1st launch. Speaking about what fans should expect on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that “not much” of the library will make its way over in the early stages:
“Everything moves to Netflix, what are we going to see? How much of the library we’re going to see? The answer is not much. All the current shows obviously will be on every single week. […] As far as your archives, there will be some but very little. So on January 1, when everything starts, they’re going to have I think roughly 40 pay-per-views, some recent, some years ago.”
As has been seen on the app, more PPVs will be added in February and March.
Continuing, Meltzer also added that there did not appear to be a method in regards to which shows were selected, but added that vintage content will not be included:
“I think they just blinded themselves and threw darts at a wall and whichever name hit they picked up. Because it’s not like they picked the best pay-per-views or recent or anything.
There’ll be no WCW, it’s all WWE. No Mid Atlantic Wrestling, no Mid South Wrestling, World Class Wrestling, none of that tape library stuff. Again, people really didn’t watch a lot of it. So that’s what happened. But there will be a few WrestleManias. There will be some old episodes of NXT, Raw and SmackDown. All the new episodes airing live, of course.”
In other news, Triple H gifted Cody Rhodes something special ahead of Saturday Night’s Main Event.
If you use any quotes from this article please credit the source and leave a h/t to ITR Wrestling.