The recently announced agreement between Netflix and TKO Group Holdings, which gives Netflix the rights to the WWE TV program Monday Night Raw has been lauded as the streamer’s big foray into live sports. The weekly program is totally live. But sports, not so much. In fact the idea that Pro Wrestling is planned out has been common knowledge for decades even though it should have been obvious from the start. Now we are not talking about real or not real. This stuff is dangerous and those who do it put their bodies on the line every time just like any professional athlete. This is not meant to pull back the curtain. But it meant to illuminate some things that the main stream media seems to really be missing about this story.
A Little Background
I am an unapologetic fan of professional wrestling. I grew up in North Carolina where people like Ric Flair have never had to buy a drink in their lives. I spent many an evening at Dorton Arena with family and friends watching the likes of the Road Warriors (LOD), Sting (Not the singer), Flair, and so many others, enjoying a show. When I wanted sports I went to high school or NC State football games. Because despite the large loud crowds and amazing athleticism involved pro wrestling is not a sport. It is a very well-done (as far as the WWE is concerned) theatrical performance from some super-talented athletes. And the people who tune in weekly to USA Network or FOX do not do so because it’s really a competition. They do it because they enjoy the story and it almost always ends with a fight.
It’s Interactive
Wrestling is like an action-adventure movie. You know the Fast And The Furious is not real when you walk into the theater. But depending on your tastes you find it enjoyable. You go for the one-liners, the explosions CGI or the practical. Have you seen audience reactions of when Daredevil showed up in Spiderman No Way Home or when multiple past versions of the character warped in to save the day? Peter Parker can’t stop and look at the screen and say thanks guys I love you. But Cody Rhodes can. They might tell you to shut up, they may lead you along like a gospel preacher, Yeah!, or even laugh with you.
The audience can even change an entire story based on its reaction.
Devoted Fans
The WWE’s motto “Then Now Forever Together” sums up the modern wrestling fan. Many have always watched and always will as long as the story is good. Raw could be the gift that keeps on giving for Netflix VS its popular original shows that often release all at once. Or just become irrelevant with time as the cast changes. Not many shows can lose the main attraction and grow their audience. If Tim Allen left Home Improvement they could not have just made the show about his family any more than 8 Simple Rules was set up for a 10-year run after the untimely death of John Ritter.
Built-in continuity
What Netflix has signed up with for 5 billion dollars is a dedicated audience and a show that is very, very unlikely to get canceled or fold in on itself. Other scripted series run their course. The star wants too much money, an actor dies and it throws everything off, the formula goes stale, the kids get too old, someone does something in their regular lives that offends the public too much, or even cast members just get tired of working together. But aside from soap operas and a few animated series scripted shows don’t last decades nor do they air 50-52 weeks a year with a new show every week. Heck the WWE does it 3 times a week on national TV. Because it’s about so much more than one character/star. After making pro wrestling mainstream Hulk Hogan eventually retired and in his place, stars like Steve Austin and The Rock rose. They retired and in their place came others. Normal TV shows just don’t work this way. You can’t have the Flash without the Flash. It has to become a different show.
Much more than the US Audience
On top of everything else, it may even bring in a new audience. Its worldwide appeal can not be denied either. The WWE sells out soccer stadiums in Saudi Arabia, France, Australia, England, and Germany. An almost ignored aspect of the deal is that Netflix will get international rights to all WWE programming. Its roster has a more international feel than any actual sports league. When it comes to representation by country you may have to go as far as the Olympics to find more. And its fan base is not locked into one demo. It’s not mostly men 18-45, it’s not aging out, it’s not mostly white or black or Hispanic. A WWE crowd is so representative it gives you hope that everything can eventually go back to normal in a few years. Go and you will see mothers with daughters or sons, tech types, good ole boys, all races and creeds join together in dressed in garb that reflects fandom forged over generations from the American Dream to the American Nightmare.
This is not Netflix jumping into live sports friends. That will be a totally different animal. This is Netflix looking for a version of Game of Thrones that need never go off the air or have a disappointing ending. Because there is always next week, the next premium live event, or even the next big flashy press conference to sort it all out.
