Nick Khan Says WWE Is Not Changing Rating Or Moving Away From Family-Friendly Programming on Netflix, Fans Can Expect More ‘Global Flare’

While we’ve seen WWE perform some edgier content lately compared to recent years in terms of blood in matches, we don’t expect the move to Netflix to mean that WWE is moving away from its image of family-friendly programming. Instead, one of the differences fans can expect from the Netflix move is a heavier “global fare,” according to WWE President Nick Khan. Nick Khan spoke about the upcoming move to Netflix during a Wednesday (Dec. 3) presentation at Netflix HQ, detailing the new partnership between WWE and Netflix.

When USA Today’s Jordan Mendoza asked if the move to Netflix means that WWE will be pushing more things that we currently don’t see on TV, Khan stated, “We’re not changing the rating of our programming.” He continued, “There’s some online chatter about, ‘Oh, it’s going to be R-rated,'” or for us old folks, X-rated. That’s definitely not happening. It’s family-friendly, multi-generational, advertising-friendly programming. It’s going to stay that way.”

Regarding what viewers and the WWE Universe can expect from the Netflix migration, Khan explained there will be more of a “global flare” as the relationship with Netflix develops. That means more of a focus on WWE’s global audience and more shows overseas. Khan explained, “I would look for more global flare, especially as the relationship continues to develop. The countries that are outside the United States are as important to us as the United States are. We have certain targeted countries that are priorities for Netflix, that are priorities for us; you can see more of that. I think that’s a way you’ll see a bit of a difference.”

Earlier during the presentation, Khan explained how WWE’s recent run of premium live events in international territories was a way for WWE to plant the seeds for their international audience and Netflix’s subscriber base of hundreds of millions of users. Khan said we’re “going to see more of that of that in 2025.” He also revealed that WWE is planning a run of Raws and SmackDowns that will be held in international locations.

WWE makes its Netflix debut on January 6, 2025, with Monday Night Raw. The live show is being held at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Netflix is also set to carry SmackDown, NXT, and WWE premium live events outside of the United States starting in January.