Picture: Netflix / WWE
Netflix has begun rolling out its WWE content material method forward of schedule. Over the weekend, Netflix in New Zealand was the primary to get new WrestleMania episodes, and so they had been streamed reside this previous weekend. Despite a tender rollout, the 2 streams shot to the highest of the Netflix TV high 10s.
In case you missed it, Netflix struck a major new cope with the WWE again in late January, which might be the streaming dwelling for a number of high-profile occasions from the wrestling firm. Here’s the crux of the deal per Netflix:
“Beginning in January 2025, Netflix will be the exclusive new home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America, among other territories, with additional countries and regions to be added over time. Likewise, as part of the agreement, Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. as available, inclusive of Raw and WWE’s other weekly shows – SmackDown and NXT – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. WWE’s award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025.”
Over the weekend, nonetheless, Netflix in New Zealand noticed WrestleMania hit the service for the primary time, offering a glimpse into what we are able to anticipate going ahead. We may solely reveal that these episodes will stay on Netflix via January 1st, 2035.
The reside streams launched with out a lot fanfare on April seventh, with the Saturday WrestleMania XL occasion and one other one the next day, Sunday, April eighth. The Saturday stream lasted 4 hours and 18 minutes, whereas the Sunday stream lasted three hours and 52 minutes. At the time of publishing, the unedited variations of the stream stay obtainable on Netflix as a replay in New Zealand.
Netflix lists each episodes below Season 40 inside the software, and the episodes’ titles replicate that with WrestleMania XL.
Wrestlemania XL on Netflix UI – Picture: What’s on Netflix
It was a great weekend to kick off the launch in New Zealand, too! On this action-packed WrestleMania weekend in Philadelphia, a dominant Judgement Day noticed Rhea Ripley retain her title towards Becky Lynch. Meanwhile, Damian Priest lastly cashed in on Drew McIntyre for the World Heavyweight Championship, who had simply taken down Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins. Capitalizing on her Royal Rumble win, Bailey defeated former ally and champion Iyo Skye for the WWE Women’s Championship.
Meanwhile, a chaotic ladder match noticed two new tag staff champions. Against the chances, Logan Paul retained his US Championship, whereas Sami Zayn’s WrestleMania dream was achieved after taking down Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship. Lastly, after dropping to Roman Reigns and The Rock on night time One, the bloodline guidelines stipulation had the chances stacked towards Cody Rhodes. Defying all the chances, the American Nightmare completed the story by conquering the tribal chief Roman Reigns, ending his 1,316-day title reign, and bringing the WWE right into a model new period {of professional} wrestling.
Despite being considerably of a shock launch, the reside streams shot to the number one spot on Netflix New Zealand’s high 10s, in response to FlixPatrol. On April tenth, it fell to the fifth most-watched present on Netflix NZ.
With because of Lightshed Partners for the heads up on the addition to NZ! Contains contributions from Jacob Robinson.
Are you from New Zealand and checked out WrestleMania? How did you discover the streaming expertise? Let us know within the feedback or I’d love to talk to you – electronic mail [email protected].