WWE fans hail ‘genius’ move as Netflix deal prompts game changing shakeup-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro

WWE is kicking off 2025 with a bang on Netflix (Picture: WWE)

WWE is about to make some big changes to Raw, SmackDown and NXT before the historic move to Netflix.

From January 2025, the sports entertainment juggernaut is officially joining forces with the streaming giant and a ‘transfer window’ has been announced in line with the switch.

Fans are already loving the idea, with plenty of viewers hailing the ‘genius’ way of shaking things up.

In the United States, Raw is moving to Netflix, while around the world all programming – including the three weekly shows – is making the jump.

With reports of both Raw and SmackDown being three hours, WWE is looking to shake up the rosters over the next few weeks with the three general managers getting involved.

As announced on Friday night, Nick Aldis (SmackDown), Adam Pearce (Raw) and Ava (NXT) will be essentially holding talent trades to move things around.

WWE Champion Cody Rhodes dives out of the ring onto Kevin Owens during SmackDown

Veteran commentator Michael Cole announced during the broadcast: ‘We understand that the NXT, the Raw and SmackDown general managers all working together to move some of our superstars around to other shows.’

Chad Gable made reference to the transfer window during a promo with WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, while GUNTHER and Dominik Mysterio were both seeing talking to Aldis and Pearce respectively.

This could suggest some big changes on the horizon, and fans are here for it, with plenty of US-based fans comparing it to the college football’s ‘transfer portal’.

‘WWE using the “transfer portal” is genius,’ wrote @StonedCoze, while @Sicee420 added: ‘This transfer window WWE is doing is a great idea.’

Others in Europe and the UK couldn’t resist comparing it to football’s transfer window, with plenty of people joking that sports journalist Fabrizio Romano will be on the job keeping track of all the moves.

‘WWE are having a “transfer window”. Someone get Fabrizio Romano. Here we go,’ quipped @Raph089968.

What is the WWE transfer window?

Drawing comparisons to the transfer portal in college football (but borrowing a name from football/soccer), the transfer window will reshuffle the Raw, SmackDown and NXT rosters.

Seth Rollins could be among those getting a change of scenery (Picture: WWE)

On screen, it’s likely to play out with Adam Pearce, Nick Aldis and Ava negotiating trades for their respective brands without WWE having to do a full-blown draft like usual.

Who will move in the WWE transfer window?

It’s hard to tell so far what changes will be made, although GUNTHER talking to Aldis backstage at SmackDown could mean something major is planned.

If the Ring General beats Finn Balor at Saturday Night’s Main Event next weekend, he’d bring the World Heavyweight Championship with him to the blue brand.

Could GUNTHER bring the World Heavyweight Championship to SmackDown? (Picture: WWE)

This would leave Raw without a world champion, but the door would be open for Cody Rhodes and the Undisputed WWE Title to go the other way.

Although Netflix is getting Raw, SmackDown and NXT globally, in the US it’s just the red brand moving to the streaming platform at this time, and the first episode is set to be stacked.

That could mean the likes of Roman Reigns and members of either Bloodline making the jump, while the transfers generally will give a good clue about WWE’s direction for WrestleMania 41 in April.

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