WWE: Cold Open Released for WWE RAW Premiere Show on Netflix, Paul Levesque on WWE SmackDown Going Back to 2 Hours, New Multi-Year Deal with Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer

WWE Releases Cold Open Video for WWE RAW Premiere Show on Netflix

WWE released the cold open video for tonight’s WWE RAW premiere show on Netflix at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

This cold open is narrated by WWE CCO Paul “Triple H” Levesque.

“It’s as real as our ancient yearning. Not merely for a hero, but the villain as well. Just as they need each other, so do you need them to tell a story. But what of the story of wrestling itself? What if the canvas could speak of an ageless carnival with primeval roots, but came of age with that most American of institutions, television. As television changed, so did wrestling. And together they changed America. Truth is, a great swath of American culture is born of that eternal battle between the face and the heel. From ecstasy to humiliation. Fame to obscurity, and back again. An endless cycle that changed the rules and blurred the lines, made it harder to distinguish the good guys from the bad, the shoot from the work, the real from the unreal. Because wrestling’s greatest stories, every damn one, has that element of truth. The screens get smaller, but the show gets bigger. Global, from television to streaming, America to the world. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the all real, ever fantastic, never to end, story of WWE.”

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Paul Levesque Comments on WWE SmackDown Going Back to 2 Hours in Future

This past Friday’s WWE SmackDown show in Phoenix, Arizona was notable for being SmackDown’s premiere as a weekly three-hour show.

A recent episode of The Pat McAfee Show featured WWE CCO Paul “Triple H” Levesque as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Levesque’s thoughts about WWE SmackDown eventually going back to a two-hour format for shows in the future.

“For right now (It’s three hours), and then it switches back to two.”

Here is the clip of Paul Levesuqe discussing the show length of Smackdown pic.twitter.com/eR3iMvYLuO

— John Pollock (@iamjohnpollock) January 6, 2025

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WWE Signs Multi-Year Deal with Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer

WWE announced earlier today that they recently signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer brand.

It was also announced that a logo of Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer will be featured on the ring mat canvas for tonight’s WWE RAW premiere show on Netflix.

Official press release:

WWE® & WWE LEGEND HULK HOGAN’S REAL AMERICAN BEER STRIKE MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP

Real American Beer Logo to Be Featured On Ring Mat Corners During Every Episode of Monday Night Raw

January 6, 2025 – WWE®, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), today announced a multi-year partnership with legendary WWE Superstar and Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer – one of the fastest-growing light beers in the U.S. – that will showcase Real American Beer branding within WWE’s weekly flagship program Monday Night Raw as well as other key WWE assets.

As an official partner of WWE, Real American Beer will receive ring mat corner branding during every episode of Raw which makes its highly anticipated debut tonight on Netflix. Further, WWE will become a minority owner in the rapidly expanding company, which is now available in 20 states since its launch in June 2024.

“Hulk Hogan has done a tremendous job introducing an exciting, new product to a competitive marketplace,” said Grant Norris-Jones, Executive Vice President & Head of Global Partnerships for TKO. “We are excited to unlock a new partnership category and to showcase Real American Beer in front of Netflix’s global audience.”

“Well, let me tell you something brother! From the first time I stepped into the ring, I’ve always fought for something bigger than myself,” said Hulk Hogan, Co-Founder of Real American Beer. “I’m thrilled to bring Real American Beer into the ring with WWE. Together, we’re bringing that pride to America, one beer, one match at a time, brother!” Additionally, Real American Beer will receive social and digital support, including original, short-form content that will be distributed across WWE’s popular social and digital channels which reach more than 700 million users globally. WWE trademarks and Superstars will also be available for use on in-store point-of-sale materials and promotional displays throughout its growing network of retailers nationwide.
Real American Beer is proudly owned and brewed in the USA. Easy to drink yet bold, it was created to fill a gap in the light beer market for an unapologetically American brand. Real American Beer appeals to those seeking a sessionable, high-quality, no-nonsense brew they can proudly bring to any barbecue, tailgate, or dinner table. Real American Beer continues to grow through its ever-expanding network of distributors and retail locations nationwide.

For more information on Real American Beer, including a full list of locations and future events, visit therealamerican.com and follow @therealamericanbeer on social media.