WWE's Promotion of Its Netflix Series During SummerSlam Explained, Yet One Aspect Persistently Irks Me
Wrestling fans have long held the sport in high regard, with many viewing it as more than just a physical contest. The creative team and talent behind WWE want the same level of respect, and yet, the promotion of the Netflix series WWE: Unreal during major events like SummerSlam has created a mixed fan experience.
During SummerSlam 2025, moments such as Wade Barrett referencing CM Punk’s storyline in WWE: Unreal while Punk was still competing in a main event were jarring and bizarre for fans. This direct meta-promotion serves as a reminder that wrestling is scripted, which can disrupt the audience's suspension of disbelief and emotional investment.
Despite this, the Netflix series is proving to be a hit, with millions of global views and hours watched[3]. WWE is capitalizing on this success by filming WWE: Unreal footage during marquee events like SummerSlam, but this strategy walks a fine line between intriguing documentary storytelling and breaking kayfabe (maintaining the illusion that the storylines and characters are real), especially in live contexts.
The fan base, however, enjoys the series for its candid insider look, contributing positively to the overall WWE ecosystem and fan understanding[3]. Yet, promoting the series during in-ring action at major events can harm fan immersion and the sense of authenticity, as it reminds viewers that wrestling is scripted and can come off as inappropriate timing[1].
This dynamic reflects a tension between WWE’s promotional goals and fan desires for a "sacred" wrestling experience that maintains narrative immersion during key moments. The WWE has been operating in a space between fiction and reality, as suggested by the latest events.
Meanwhile, the comparison between WWE: Unreal and the Fantastic Four movie, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, for directly referencing actors and CGI during a crucial moment, has been made to criticize the WWE for making it painfully obvious that the entire product is a sham during a match[2].
As the SummerSlam continues and Monday Night Raw is available on Netflix, fans' response to the continued mentions of WWE: Unreal during WWE events is yet to be seen. One thing is certain, the strategy of directly presenting the WWE product as fake during a match has been criticized for spoiling the fun.
References:
[1] Fan Discomfort with WWE: Unreal Promotion during Matches
[2] Comparison of WWE: Unreal and Fantastic Four: First Steps
[3] WWE: Unreal's Strong Viewership
[5] WWE Filming WWE: Unreal during Flagship Events
- The daily blend of WWE news for enthusiasts might include the controversial integration of WWE: Unreal references during live matches, a topic of ongoing fan discomfort that features discussions about the series' strong viewership and its impact on the overall WWE ecosystem.
- Entertainment and sports aficionados debate the features of WWE: Unreal and its intrusion into key events, with some appreciating the candid insider look it offers, while others find the series' promotion during live action disruptive, questioning its appropriateness and potential to undermine the authenticity and immersion in the wrestling experience.
