WWE Raw on Netflix debut notes: Celebrities, live gate record, mat sponsors, new ref outfits

Image: WWE

With the debut of WWE Raw on Netflix happening in Los Angeles, the turnout of celebrities didn’t disappoint, many of which entered on the red carpet like an awards show.

Various non-wrestling celebrities shown on camera or were in attendance included Travis Scott, Ashton Kutcher, Michael Che, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Wale, Vanessa Hudgens, Bill Simmons, Seth Green, Macaulay Culkin, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Richard Gadd, Tiffany Haddish, Stephen Amell, and Danielle Fishel (Topanga from Boy Meets World) in addition to higher-ups in TKO, WWE and Netflix.

Past wrestlers who were either shown on screen or had parts on the show included Hulk Hogan, Stephanie McMahon, Undertaker, Jimmy Hart, X-Pac, Michelle McCool, and Nikki Bella. Undertaker came out riding a motorcycle as his “American Bad Ass” character following Rhea Ripley’s Women’s World title win over Liv Morgan while Hogan was roundly booed during a live promo he cut in front of the entrance.

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During his promo that opened the show, The Rock said the show set the record for the highest grossing arena event in WWE history, later re-iterated by Michael Cole on commentary. On X, Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston said that gate would have to be over $3 million if the number included international shows.

Monday’s sold-out show emanated from the brand-new Inuit Dome in Los Angeles. Both Cole and Triple H said there were over 17,000 in attendance with WrestleTix’s estimate as the same.

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For the first time in WWE history, the mat (seen above) was full of logos — not quite to the level of their TKO brother UFC but very hard to miss.

As had been previously reported, the video game Fortnite took the center spot along with Riyadh Season (Saudi Arabia), Netflix, longtime sponsors Cricket Wireless and Snickers, and Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer of which WWE is now a minority investor in.

Unlike the new blue SmackDown mat, the Raw mat was black, also a first.

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Even the referees had new outfits which were dark gray with a black collar, two parallel black strips on the left hand side, and the WWE logo on the left chest.