WWE's flagship programme Raw has moved to Netflix meaning that, for the first time since its launch in 1993, the weekly show is available for streaming around the globe. Fans who live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Egypt can also stream other WWE shows such as SmackDown (on Saturdays) and NXT (on Wednesdays), with episodes then available on-demand.
This move has signalled a new era in the professional wrestling company's history. It's also an opportunity for old fans to once again get back into watching the WWE, with more ways now to catch its programming. While the days of watching stars like Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and Bret Hart are in the past, several wrestlers have stepped into the limelight to help lead the company into the future.
If you're unfamiliar with the current roster, here are the 10 wrestlers to know.
Cody Rhodes
Age: 39
Title: Undisputed WWE Champion
Career highlights: WWE Crown Jewel champion, 2023 and 2024 Royal Rumble winner, two-time Intercontinental champion, four-time Raw tag team champion
Who they’ll remind you of: Hulk Hogan. Rhodes has become the face of the WWE. He won the undisputed WWE Championship at this year’s WrestleMania XL and ended Roman Reigns’ 1,316-day run in a long rivalry that began after Rhodes won the 2023 Royal Rumble.
Gunther
Age: 37
Title: World Heavyweight Champion
Career highlights: WWE Intercontinental champion, NXT UK champion, 2024 King of the Ring winner
Who they’ll remind you of: William Regal. The Austrian wrestler has technical prowess, stiff striking style and a no-nonsense demeanour. Much like Regal, Gunther embodies the essence of a traditional grappler with his sheer in-ring dominance.
Rhea Ripley
Age: 28
Title: WWE Women’s Champion
Career highlights: Two-time women’s world champion, WWE Raw women’s champion, women’s tag team champion, NXT women’s champion, NXT UK women’s champion, 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble winner
Who they’ll remind you of: Chyna. Ripley is strong, dominant and stays true to herself, embodying many of the qualities that made the Ninth Wonder of the World such a trailblazer during her time in the WWE in the early 2000s.
Tiffany Stratton
Age: 25
Title: WWE Women’s Champion
Career highlights: WWE women’s champ, NXT women’s champion, 2024 Women’s Money in the Bank winner
Who they’ll remind you of: Trish Stratus. Confident and charismatic, Stratton is athletic thanks to her gymnastics background while also being glamorous. She has impressive in-ring skills and a larger-than-life personality.
CM Punk
Age: 46
Career highlights: Two-time WWE Champion, three-time world heavyweight champion, ECW champ, WWE Intercontinental champion, world tag team champion, 2008 and 2009 Money in the Bank winner
Who they’ll remind you of: Bret Hart. CM Punk has had a tumultuous relationship with the WWE, abruptly quitting the company at one point and making a surprising return nearly a decade later. Punk is also known for his in-ring storytelling and outspoken nature.
Seth Rollins
Age: 38
Career highlights: Two-time WWE Champion, World Heavyweight Champion, two-time WWE universal champion, NXT champion, two-time WWE Intercontinental champion, two-time US champion, six-time Raw tag team champion, 2019 men’s Royal Rumble winner, 2014 Money in the Bank winner
Who they’ll remind you of: Shawn Michaels. Rollins's persona, athleticism and sometimes over-the-top outfits might remind fans of the Heartbreak Kid. He's also shown he can lead the company as a two-time WWE Champion, seeming following in familiar footsteps.
Sami Zayn
Age: 40
Career highlights: NXT champion, four-time WWE Intercontinental champion, WWE Raw tag team champion, WWE SmackDown tag team champion
Who they’ll remind you of: Mick Foley. Zayn has become a fan favourite thanks to his underdog persona and his quirky humour, which has helped him stand out with fans.
Kevin Owens
Age: 40
Career highlights: WWE universal champion, NXT champion, two-time WWE Intercontinental champion, three-time WWE US champion, WWE Raw tag team champion, WWE SmackDown tag team champion
Who they’ll remind you of: Chris Jericho. Besides both being Canadian, Owens has similar skills on the mic as he tends to incorporate clever promos and sarcastic insults at his opponents.
Roman Reigns
Age: 39
Career highlights: Four-time WWE Champion, two-time WWE universal champion, WWE Intercontinental champion, WWE US champion, WWE tag team champion, 2015 Royal Rumble winner
Who they’ll remind you of: Ric Flair. Reigns has had one of the longest championship reigns and was the leader of the Bloodline, much like how Flair once led the Four Horsemen. Although Reigns doesn't speak much on the mic, he still manages to exude confidence and charisma.
Solo Sikoa
Age: 31
Career highlights: NXT North American champion
Who they’ll remind you of: The Big Boss Man. Originally debuting as an enforcer for Reigns, Solo had a similarly quiet persona and no-nonsense protector role in the Bloodline. However, his character has since evolved, leading him to have his own faction and more time spent on the mic.
