WWE officials reportedly feeling “handcuffed” by Netflix amid censorship frustration

Netflix restrictions are reportedly creating frustration within WWE’s post-production department

WWE officials are reportedly growing frustrated with the level of censorship being applied to Monday Night Raw by Netflix, with members of the company’s post-production department said to feel “handcuffed” by the streaming platform’s restrictions.

According to WrestleVotes on Fightful Select, “there are those within WWE’s post-production department who feel ‘handcuffed’ at times by the restrictions Netflix has put in place, particularly following the recent censorship on Monday Night Raw.”

Netflix has recently blurred blood and other visual elements during Raw broadcasts, including Jey Uso’s face during a Bloodline-related attack involving Royce Keys’ new group.

The streaming service had also previously censored blood involving Bron Breakker, edited a scuffle between Cody Rhodes and Gunther, and even blurred Brock Lesnar’s T-shirt during one broadcast.

WWE reportedly knew about restrictions but underestimated their intensity

The Stamford base company was reportedly aware that Netflix would introduce restrictions and a code of conduct as part of the streaming arrangement. However, WrestleVotes and Fightful Select noted that “there were some internally who didn’t expect things to be this intensive.”

The issue has subsequently become a major talking point among fans, with the censorship drawing attention whenever significant visual moments are altered on the streaming version of Raw.

Following the latest episode, Triple H took matters into his own hands by posting an unedited version of the Bloodline and Keys attack on social media.

That decision was reportedly “a unanimous decision internally,” with some WWE officials believing the original footage “was necessary to the angle and needed to be seen as originally intended and designed.”

WWE source questions timing of the controversial segment

Despite the decision to release the unedited footage, another WWE source reportedly questioned whether the angle should have been held for a live episode of Raw.

The source asked whether “the angle should have been reserved for a week until Raw was live and airing in real time.”

Triple H described the attack as “destructive” and “dangerous” in his social media post, emphasizing the importance of presenting the segment in its original form.

The situation highlights the challenge faced by the Stamford based company in balancing its creative presentation with Netflix’s broadcast standards. For now, the company appears willing to push back when it believes censorship affects an important storyline.

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