On January 5 in Brooklyn, Monday Night Raw didn’t just celebrate its one-year anniversary on Netflix, it stepped fully into another universe. For one night at Barclays Center, WWE partnered with Netflix to stage its first-ever Stranger Things Takeover, transforming Raw into a pop-culture crossover that blurred the lines between wrestling spectacle and television event.
As someone who loves a well-executed collaboration and understands how rare it is for WWE to meaningfully reimagine its presentation, this was an event I had circled on the calendar. Between Raw’s continued evolution on Netflix and the looming arrival of Stranger Things 5, the most anticipated and final chapter of one of Netflix’s biggest global hits, expectations were understandably high.
A Night Built on Presentation and Atmosphere
The tone was set immediately. Michael Cole and Corey Graves didn’t open the broadcast from their usual desk, but from the iconic WSQK van, welcoming viewers with the line, “We aren’t in Hawkins anymore.” The Stranger Things theme echoed through the arena as vines from the Upside Down wrapped around the ring, the announce table, and various backstage areas.
Backstage spaces leaned even harder into the theme, featuring the Scoops Ahoy boat, a Demogorgon bust breaking through Gorilla, and atmospheric production details that made the venue feel distinct from a standard Raw. Netflix even unveiled a Stranger Things–themed championship belt. Strange? Absolutely. Fun? Unapologetically so.
WWE in New York already carries its own electricity, and Barclays Center delivered that familiar energy. The crowd was loud, engaged, and ready to play along, whether they fully understood the references or not. Some nods to Stranger Things likely went over the heads of fans unfamiliar with the series, but it didn’t matter. The presentation elevated the entire night, making Raw feel like an event rather than just another episode.
Matches, Moments, and a Crowd That Stayed Loud
In-ring, the night delivered several major moments that kept the crowd buzzing. Becky Lynch reclaiming the Women’s Intercontinental Championship was met with a massive reaction, and CM Punk retaining the World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker felt appropriately epic for a themed main event.
One of the most electric moments in the building came when fan favorite Je’Von Evans officially signed his Raw contract, cementing his place on Monday nights. Moments like that reminded everyone why live wrestling still hits differently, no matter how stylized the presentation becomes.
Even small details mattered. New World Tag Team Champions Jimmy and Jey Uso entering through the crowd near our suite turned a standard segment into something personal and memorable. Netflix’s hospitality and accommodations elevated the experience further, from the suite setup to talent passing through for quick photo ops.
Where the Takeover Fell Short
For all the praise, it’s fair to say the collaboration didn’t go as hard as it could have. The opening was excellent. The visuals were strong. The vibe was clear. But once the show settled into its rhythm, the Stranger Things elements became more window dressing than narrative tools.
There were no wrestlers leaning fully into cosplay. No Vecna-inspired chaos in the ring. No storyline moment that truly merged the two worlds beyond aesthetics. Even the absence of cast members from Stranger Things felt noticeable, especially with the series finale recently released on Netflix.
That criticism is reasonable. WWE had an opportunity to let the set become part of the action. Imagine CM Punk and Bron Breakker brawling onto the stage, crashing through props, or using the Upside Down visuals as a storytelling device rather than a backdrop. WWE flirted with the idea of full immersion, but stopped short of fully committing.
One of the strongest elements of the night was how clearly the presentation resonated with the live crowd, even when individual references didn’t land universally. The Stranger Things atmosphere sparked constant reactions, whether it was the Upside Down vines wrapping the ring, the Demogorgon imagery backstage, or the WSQK van framing the opening broadcast. Some references inevitably went over the heads of fans unfamiliar with the series, but the energy never dipped. The audience understood this was a special event, and that sense of occasion carried through the night. It reinforced an important truth about wrestling: fans don’t need to recognize every reference to feel when something is different, intentional, and designed to stand apart
Why Uniqueness Still Matters in Wrestling
Even with its imperfections, this Stranger Things–themed Raw succeeded in reminding fans of something WWE too often forgets: different is good. Unique is powerful.
Wrestling thrives on identity. From the SmackDown fist of the mid-2000s to iconic entrance themes that immediately define a performer, presentation matters. When shows feel interchangeable, excitement fades. When they feel special, audiences respond.
Ironically, WWE went more all-out for the presentation of this single Raw episode than it does for many of its Premium Live Events. That should tell you how starved fans are for programming that feels distinct rather than corporate-uniform.
Even wrestling purists who prefer their product untouched by pop culture couldn’t deny that this night felt different. And different, especially in a weekly format, is invaluable.
Final Thoughts
Was the Stranger Things Takeover perfect? No. Could WWE have pushed the concept further? Absolutely. But the collaboration achieved something important: it brought two fanbases together, elevated the presentation, and made Raw feel like an event rather than an obligation.
Many in attendance may have never watched Stranger Things. Others, like myself, are deeply invested. Yet everyone seemed to enjoy the night. That’s the sweet spot WWE should chase more often.
Monday night wasn’t flawless, but it captured something essential. When wrestling feels special, fans show up, engage, and remember it. WWE’s Stranger Things edition of Raw felt like an event, and the company would be wise to chase that feeling again.
Monday Night Raw streams live weekly on Netflix, on Mondays at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
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I’m a dedicated aficionado of all things movies, pop culture, and entertainment. With a passion for storytelling and a love for the silver screen, I’m constantly immersed in the world of cinema, exploring new releases, classics, and hidden gems alike. As a fervent advocate for the power of film to inspire, entertain, and provoke thought, I enjoy sharing my insights, reviews, and recommendations with fellow enthusiasts.