Cliff Notes – Netflix cuts WWE SmackDown live stream with millions unable to watch
- WWE fans experienced a significant disruption as the Netflix live stream of SmackDown cut out shortly after the show began, leaving viewers frustrated and unable to watch key moments.
- The interruption was attributed to a power loss in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, affecting WWE’s production capabilities rather than being a fault of Netflix.
- After over 30 minutes of downtime, WWE issued an apology via social media, assuring fans that the technical difficulties were being addressed and the show would resume shortly.
Netflix cuts WWE SmackDown live stream with millions unable to watch
Fans are still unable to watch the show (Picture: Sydney Yonker/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE fans were left raging as the Netflix live stream cut out just minutes into tonight’s episode of SmackDown.
The wrestling juggernaut is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ahead of tomorrow’s Night of Champions premium live event with Friday’s weekly show also being broadcast from the city.
After the usual introductions showing various stars arriving at the arena, the show got properly underway with Cody Rhodes making his way to the ring.
The American Nightmare was ready to address night’s King of the Ring final match against Randy Orton, but his opponent’s music interrupted him before he could say a word.
Unfortunately for fans, the live feed was halted before the two longtime friends and rivals could get started, with the show kept off air for over 30 minutes.
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An initial error message read: ‘Pardon the delay. The live event is starting later than expected.’
Then, the feed cut to the usual ad break footage of various WWE superstars making their entrances, and a message which read ‘We’ll be right back’ in various languages.
Why did WWE SmackDown go off air on Netflix?
Fans were blaming Netflix for the issue (Picture: Chesnot/Getty Images)
According to reports, the issue didn’t lie with Netflix.
PWInsider says there was actually a ‘power loss in Riyadh’ which caused problems with WWE’s whole production, ‘including the control room and the gorilla position’.
The outlet added: ‘WWE lost all power and with that went any ability to control the different facets of the show. They are working to get everything back on line but again it was not a Netflix issue, it was an issue originating at the actual venue.’
Is the WWE SmackDown live stream back on Netflix?
The issues went on for over 30 minutes (Picture: WWE via Getty Images)
After over half an hour, WWE addressed the technical issue with a simple statement, as they wrote on X: ‘To our international audiences watching #SmackDown on Netflix:
‘We apologize for any technical difficulties and should be back up and running shortly.’
When the show returned, commentator Michael Cole apologised to fans and joked about co-broadcaster Wade Barrett being the first face fans saw when they returned.
John Cena and CM Punk were both expected to appear on the event (Picture: Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)
Tiffany Stratton is set to defend her WWE Women’s Championship (Picture: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
It’s safe to say fans weren’t impressed with the technical difficulties on Netflix.
‘@netflix – fix your #smackdown feed, this is bull,’ complained @ALanNZ89 on X.
‘Dayum. Smackdown live feed crashed on Netflix during the Cody-Randy promo! That sucks #SmackDown,’ added @BeardWithATwist.
And @oppilaaOE wrote: ‘Come on @netflix, sort it out missing a big portion of Smackdown here. 🤦♂️’
What happened when WWE SmackDown live stream went down on Netflix?
Cody Rhodes had to keep the crowd entertained (Picture: Scott Brinegar/WWE via Getty Images)
As reported by Fightful, once Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton’s promo ended, the Viper stayed out in front of the crowd to keep them entertained, with the feed on the arena screens also down.
After around 25 minutes, the American Nightmare was sent back out and spoke with the crowd before Carmelo Hayes – who wasn’t dressed in his wrestling gear – headed to the ring, only to get hit by a CrossRhodes.
The show was advertised as a stacked card, with Hollywood star John Cena set to appear 24 hours before his WWE Championship defence against CM Punk.
Elsewhere, the WWE Women’s Championship is on the line in a Last Woman Standing match between Nia Jax and the current titleholder Tiffany Stratton.
Women’s United States Champion Zelina Vega is also slated to face Giulia, and tag team gold is on the line as the Street Profits defend against the Wyatt Sicks.