How to Watch WWE in the United States (2025): The Complete Guide to Netflix, ESPN+ & Live TV
The year 2025 marks a seismic shift for wrestling fans. Wondering how to watch WWE in the United States amid the biggest broadcast changes in decades? You’re in the right place. From Raw making a historic move to Netflix to Premium Live Events finding a new home on ESPN+, this guide has everything you need to catch every single championship victory.
Ready for the new era of WWE? Let’s break down exactly where you need to tune in.
Where Can I Watch WWE Raw in 2025?
Starting January 2025, WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw, will air exclusively on Netflix in the United States. This move ends Raw’s multi-decade run on linear cable television and places it firmly in the world of streaming. According to a landmark announcement from TKO Group Holdings in early 2024, this 10-year deal is valued at over $5 billion, fundamentally changing how fans will watch the red brand.
This is the biggest change in WWE broadcasting in decades. If you want to see your favorite Raw superstars every Monday night, a Netflix subscription is no longer optional—it’s essential.
How To Watch Raw on Netflix: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Sign Up for Netflix: If you don’t already have an account, you’ll need one. Choose a subscription plan that fits your needs (plans typically vary by video quality and number of simultaneous streams).
- Navigate to the WWE Hub: Once live, Netflix will feature a dedicated WWE section. You can search for “WWE Raw” directly.
- Watch Live or On-Demand: Tune in on Monday nights to watch Raw live. If you miss it, the episode will be available for on-demand viewing immediately after it airs. For example, if you can’t watch at 8 PM ET, you can watch the full replay anytime later.
How to Watch WWE SmackDown on Friday Nights
Friday Night SmackDown also has a new home in 2025. The blue brand is moving from Fox to the USA Network, which was the home of Raw for many years. This means that to watch SmackDown live, you will need access to the USA Network. This move, part of a five-year deal reported by outlets like Variety in 2023, brings top-tier WWE content back to one of its most historic cable partners.
So, how do you get USA Network? You have a couple of primary options.
Watching SmackDown with Cable or Satellite
The most traditional way is through a standard cable or satellite TV package. Providers like Xfinity, Spectrum, DirecTV, and Dish Network all include USA Network in their basic channel lineups.
What About WWE NXT?
NXT, WWE’s developmental brand known for its high-energy action, is also on the move. Starting in October 2024 and continuing through 2025, NXT will air live every Tuesday night on The CW. The CW is a broadcast network, which is fantastic news for fans.
Why is this great news? Because you can often access The CW for free.
How to Watch NXT for Free
You can watch The CW using a simple over-the-air (OTA) HD antenna. An antenna allows you to pick up local broadcast signals, including The CW, CBS, NBC, and ABC, with no monthly fee. For instance, a one-time purchase of a digital antenna (often costing less than $30) can give you access to NXT live every week.
NXT on The CW App
If an antenna isn’t an option, episodes of NXT are typically available for free on-demand via The CW app and CWTV.com the day after they air. This means you can watch the full show on Wednesday without any subscription required.
Where to Stream WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs)
In another blockbuster move for 2025, ESPN+ will become the new exclusive home for all WWE Premium Live Events in the United States. This includes the biggest shows of the year like the Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series. This multi-year deal brings WWE’s major events to the world’s leading sports streaming platform.
To watch these events, you’ll need an ESPN+ subscription. This is available as a standalone service or as part of the incredible value of the Disney Bundle.
What’s Included with WWE on ESPN+?
- Live Premium Live Events: Every major WWE event, live as it happens, starting with the 2025 Wrestlepalooza.
- The WWE Historical Archive: The entire WWE, WCW, and ECW pay-per-view library is expected to migrate, giving you access to thousands of hours of wrestling history on demand.
- Original Series and Replays: Expect access to WWE documentaries and replays of weekly shows.
For example, a fan who wants to watch WrestleMania 42 live and then re-watch the classic “Attitude Era” can do it all within the ESPN+ app. This platform is now an essential tool for anyone wanting to fully understand how to watch WWE in the United States.
What is the full weekly schedule for WWE in 2025?
- Monday: WWE Raw at 8 PM ET on Netflix.
- Tuesday: WWE NXT at 8 PM ET on The CW.
- Friday: WWE SmackDown at 8 PM ET on USA Network.
- Monthly PLEs: Major events like WrestleMania will stream live on ESPN+.
The era of needing a single, expensive cable package to be a WWE fan is over. Now, it’s about choosing the right combination of services to fit your viewing habits.
Your next step is simple: Review the checklist above, audit your current subscriptions, and get signed up for Netflix and ESPN+ before January. By preparing now, you’ll be ring-side from your couch for every moment of this incredible new era of WWE.