WWE RAW Maintains Strong Viewership After John Cena's Retirement
John Cena officially hung up his wrestling boots after his final match at WWE Saturday Night's Main Event in December 2025, marking the end of an era for The Cenation Leader as an in-ring competitor. Many fans and analysts speculated whether his retirement would negatively impact WWE's performance metrics, including television ratings and overall audience engagement. However, recent data reveals that the company continues to thrive, demonstrating resilience and sustained popularity without Cena's active participation in matches.
Netflix Viewership Numbers Highlight WWE's Ongoing Success
Netflix recently disclosed viewership statistics for its top-performing shows, with the February 2, 2026 edition of Monday Night RAW achieving an impressive 3.1 million viewers. This figure is comparable to the November 17, 2025 episode of RAW, which featured John Cena competing in his final match on the program. Notably, the February 2nd episode represents the highest viewership for RAW on Netflix since Cena's retirement from in-ring competition, underscoring the brand's ability to attract large audiences even in the absence of one of its biggest stars.
Key Highlights from the February 2, 2026 Episode of RAW
The prime highlight that contributed to the exceptional viewership numbers for the February 2nd edition of WWE RAW was the main event confrontation between CM Punk, the reigning World Heavyweight Champion, and Roman Reigns. Reigns, who had won the 2026 Men's Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, earned the right to challenge the World Champion of his choice at WrestleMania 42. During the episode, Reigns appeared on RAW to address his victory and announce his selection for the upcoming marquee event.
Reigns discussed both current champions, Drew McIntyre and CM Punk, which prompted Punk to confront him in the ring. The two superstars engaged in a heated argument, revisiting their history of teaming up and competing against each other over the years. After an intense exchange, Reigns ultimately chose Punk as his WrestleMania opponent, declaring, "I'm choosing you because I hate you." This confrontation set the stage for one of the most anticipated matches at WrestleMania 42 this year.
Implications for WWE's Future Without John Cena
The strong ratings generated by this segment and the entire RAW episode demonstrate that WWE can still achieve major viewership numbers without relying on a superstar of John Cena's caliber. As for Cena himself, he has been navigating life outside the squared circle, focusing on significant Hollywood projects and expressing happiness and satisfaction after concluding his illustrious wrestling career on his own terms. Despite his retirement from active competition, Cena remains associated with WWE as an ambassador, offering hope to fans for potential future onscreen appearances in a new capacity.
This development highlights WWE's strategic adaptability and the enduring appeal of its programming, even as iconic figures like John Cena transition to new roles. The company's ability to generate compelling storylines and marquee matchups, such as the upcoming CM Punk versus Roman Reigns bout, continues to drive audience engagement and viewership success.
