WWE RAW Netflix Kickoff Coverage, Highlights and Stream for December 18, 2024

WWE is pulling out all the stops for their Netflix Kickoff Special, streaming live this afternoon at 2 PM Eastern from their Global HQ in Stamford, CT. Fans can catch all the action exclusively on WWE’s official YouTube channel.

Ringside News has learned that 400-500 fans are expected to pack the HQ for this special indoor event. It’s set to be a star-studded affair with appearances by Seth Rollins, Rhea Ripley, Logan Paul, Cody Rhodes, GUNTHER, Liv Morgan, CM Punk, and Solo Sikoa.

With a lineup like this, you won’t want to miss a moment. Stay tuned for updates, reactions, and highlights as this massive event unfolds live!

WWE RAW Netflix Kickoff Coverage for December 18, 2024

The WWE Netflix Kickoff Special is already delivering major star power! Announcer Joe Tessitore welcomed fans before cameras caught CM Punk roaming the halls of WWE HQ, followed by Seth Rollins, the New Bloodline, and fan-favorites Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley making their entrances.

Michael Cole took the stage to thank the audience for making WWE’s success possible. Reflecting on his 20+ years as the voice of WWE, Cole expressed gratitude for the fans, past performers, and the “road family” working behind the scenes. The crowd responded with a heartfelt “Thank you, Cole” chant, which clearly moved him.

Cole then hyped the next chapter, saying he couldn’t wait to welcome everyone to WWE’s first Raw on Netflix. He also revealed that Pat McAfee will return for the big event.

Paul Levesque (Triple H) followed, thanking the fans for a groundbreaking 2024. He declared this the “fans’ era,” crediting the entire WWE community—both in front of and behind the camera—for making it all possible. The crowd joined in with a “Thank you” chant as Levesque highlighted WWE’s global unity and optimism for a sustainable future.

Paul Levesque praised WWE’s current roster, calling it the most talented group of men and women he’s ever seen. He also highlighted the company’s unprecedented global appeal and gave credit to Matt Bloom and Shawn Michaels for their work in shaping NXT. Levesque teased January 6th as the start of a new era for WWE worldwide, promising bigger stars, bigger storylines, and noting that Netflix is just the beginning. He reminded everyone that this is all part of the road to WrestleMania in Las Vegas.

Adam Pearce then hit the stage to address the speculation surrounding a major announcement. He revealed that Logan Paul is the newest member of the Raw roster, confirming recent buzz about top stars being shifted for January.

Logan Paul came out to a mixed reaction, calling the moment beautiful and saying everyone is blessed to be there. He praised WWE’s current product but couldn’t resist bragging, claiming watching weekly only reminded him of how much better he is than everyone else.

Logan Paul kept the crowd buzzing, boasting that every one of his matches is a banger. He claimed even Mike Tyson and Conor McGregor want to fight him, saying his life is a highway of endless opportunities. Logan declared he can do whatever he wants, and he loves this sport so much that if someone has something he wants, he’ll take it. Calling himself a bully, he said WWE is now his playground.

The moment got even bigger as they brought out Rhea Ripley. As we previously noted on We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Name Show, the plan seems to be setting up Rhea vs. Liv Morgan for the Netflix premiere, and this announcement points in that direction.

Rhea Ripley took the mic and compared life to a roller coaster, saying every twist and turn is worth it. She expressed disbelief at being part of WWE’s Netflix debut but didn’t hold back, taking shots at Raquel Rodriguez and Dominik Mysterio. Ripley didn’t stop there, calling Liv Morgan a bum and a coward.

Liv Morgan then made her entrance, flanked by Raquel and Dominik. Morgan fired back, listing her accolades and running down all the big names she’s beaten, even taking a dig at Michael Cole. That’s when Cole revealed a surprise holiday gift from Adam Pearce—a title match set for the Netflix debut of Raw.

As the two competitors squared off, Rhea doubled down, claiming Liv only pinned her with help and that the only reason Liv is champion is because Rhea wasn’t around. Ripley vowed to take back what’s hers on Netflix.

Kevin Owens, clutching the Winged Eagle title, stormed the stage, visibly frustrated. He grabbed a mic and asked why he wasn’t invited to the conference, wondering aloud why he had to crash the event to make his presence known. Before he could continue, security—who appeared to be NXT trainees—intervened and cut his mic, forcing him to leave.

Michael Cole quickly regained control, steering the event “back on track” as he introduced The New Bloodline. The crowd erupted as Paul Heyman made a surprise appearance, soaking in an “ECW” chant that filled the arena.

Heyman took the mic and, in his signature style, delivered a message he called one of “true honor.” He firmly stated that there can only be one Tribal Chief, and in his mind, that title unequivocally belongs to Roman Reigns.

Paul Heyman shifted his focus to Solo Sikoa, declaring that Solo has turned the wrestling world on its head and effectively taken control of The Bloodline. Heyman set the stage for an inevitable clash, saying everything now boils down to Solo vs. Roman Reigns.

Michael Cole then transitioned the spotlight to another blockbuster match, hyping the highly anticipated showdown between Seth Rollins and CM Punk.

Paul Levesque and Adam Pearce introduced a surprise guest—WWE World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER. When asked about his incredible reign, GUNTHER acknowledged the challenges but said that when he looks in the mirror, he knows he’s the best. He emphasized that his career is about making history and dismissed his loss to Cody Rhodes as “yesterday’s news,” focusing instead on his future dominance. Addressing Logan Paul’s aspirations, GUNTHER admitted Paul is talented in entertainment but firmly stated he’s not World Heavyweight Champion material. He added that if Paul ever earns a title shot, it would be his “duty and pleasure” to slap the smile off his face.

The energy ramped up when CM Punk made his entrance, embracing both Pearce and Levesque. When Michael Cole pressed Punk about the favor Paul Heyman offered him, Punk quipped that he needed Heyman’s streaming password to finish Heels season two. On a more serious note, Punk said returning to WWE means a lot to him, calling it a place he never truly wanted to leave. He reflected on his injury, saying tearing his triceps turned into an opportunity to regroup and make the best of a bad situation. Punk joked about sounding like a company man but admitted he’s genuinely excited to be back while WWE makes history.

M Punk reflected on WWE’s journey, from its territorial days to its partnerships with NBC, the move to cable, and now the groundbreaking deal with Netflix. He kept it short, saying he didn’t want to dwell on history but emphasized that his match against Seth Rollins is about two performers with no equals facing off.

Seth Rollins then made his entrance, immediately launching into a tirade against Punk. The tension hit a boiling point as they went face-to-face, with security stepping in to keep them apart while the crowd erupted into chants for Punk. Rollins, seething, said, “I’ll see you on the 5th,” before storming off.

The event wrapped up with the palpable energy of their upcoming clash hanging in the air.

WWE RAW Netflix Kickoff Highlights for December 18, 2024

WWE RAW Netflix Kickoff Stream