WWE Raw didn’t simply pull as much as Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Monday evening (August 4)—they introduced the block with them. What seemed like a wrestling occasion on the floor shortly morphed right into a cultural mash-up that solely Netflix might engineer: Hip-Hop royalty and sports activities leisure below one energized, loopy roof.

Method Man strolled in like he owned the world. This was no act of conceitedness on his facet. No, it was merely the quiet, highly effective presence he wields. Havoc of Mobb Deep introduced that Queensbridge cool and was very low key. Joe Budden merely noticed as he appeared to familiarize himself with this unusual, new world. Dave East leaned into the spectacle. Renowned bassist and musical director Adam Blackstone and different cultural connectors gathered close to the ground seats for what felt like an unannounced rap evening at Raw. I used to be ringside representing AllHipHop. When I used to be knowledgeable that I used to be ringside, I didn’t totally grasp what this meant. I’ve been ringside for boxing matches, however this was very completely different.

Traditionally, Hip-Hop and wrestling haven’t at all times shared the identical stage. Netflix is altering that in a number of methods. The firm, which started streaming WWE Raw in 2025 below a billion-dollar deal, appears decided to carry the worlds collectively. The streaming large is actively inviting influencers, artists and cultural figures to attend WWE occasions. But they aren’t simply observing…they’re experiencing. For lots of them, this was their first time this near the squared circle, and the reactions are priceless.

One rapper’s face lit up like a toddler watching fireworks when a wrestler obtained slapped throughout the chest proper in entrance of him. One individual mentioned, “I thought this was fake! But that spit was real” as a wrestler was seemingly struck within the face.  Someone else gasped watching sweat actually fly off a wrestler’s physique from the impression. The close-up perspective destroys that age-old fable. You see the welts, purple marks and exhaustion. Sure, it’s leisure, however this isn’t fake. It was extremely enjoyable and fully completely different than the in-lounge expertise.

Fashion, as at all times, added its personal aptitude. More than one onlooker was caught off guard by a few of the outfits, prompting a couple of crowd-worthy pause moments that drew hearty laughs. Still, it was refreshing to see artists chill, snigger and simply be themselves. There had been no entourages, no true mic moments— simply wrestling and good vibes.

Then there was the bodega. Everybody loves the bodega.

Netflix’s advocates perceive the soul of New York City. Only an organization with deep, deep pockets and good cultural consultants might do the now-infamous “Netflix Bodega.” Think of a VIP suite remodeled right into a nook retailer, however curated. We’re speaking air freshener, paper towels, Drano, chips, drinks, deodorant—you title it. They even had baggage prepared for company to “shop.” Things had been orderly this time. The first spherical, at Madison Square Garden, was mayhem. Barclays was extra refined however nonetheless hilarious and completely NYC.

I didn’t witness Method Man, Havoc or Joe Budden taking part (chuckle). Last time round, loads of rappers joined within the free-for-all. Watching well-known names casually snag a field of cereal or a bottle of Dawn…you actually can’t recreate that second.

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Shout out to the the influencers, media figures and die-hard wrestling heads like Shaheem Reid, who was getting autographs on an genuine WWE Belt. Jawn Murray, the acclaimed producer, and singer Skye Washington helped me rise up to hurry on all the brand new names and mores of this model of this WWE.  There’s one thing refreshing about watching grown males geek out over the Undertaker’s aura or a perfectly-timed frog splash.

What Netflix is constructing right here is each synergy and technique. Hip-Hop has liked wrestling for a very long time. Many of us grew up on Andre The Giant, The Rock, Ric Flair, Stone Cold Steve Austin, King Kong Bundy, Junkyard Dog, Tony Atlas, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, “Macho Man” Randy Savage and so many extra.

As WWE leaps into streaming, rap and so-called city tradition will assist them make this digital maneuver a cultural pivot as effectively. Wrestling isn’t only for youngsters or center America anymore. It by no means was. It’s for everyone. And final evening, it was actually for Brooklyn.

The ring has by no means felt so acquainted.

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