• Netflix’s Reaction To WWE RAW x Stranger Things Crossover After Fan Backlash
The first Monday Night RAW of 2026 transformed the Barclays Center into a wrestling version of the “Upside Down”. In a high-concept partnership between WWE and Netflix, the January 5 episode featured heavy aesthetic integration with the hit series Stranger Things to celebrate the show’s series finale, which debuted on the streaming platform on New Year’s Eve.
From the moment fans entered the arena in Brooklyn, they were met with an upside-down RAW logo and walls covered in the show’s signature supernatural vines.
The “themed” episode spared no detail in its set design, featuring Surfer Boy Pizza delivery vehicles and WSQK vans flanking the entrance ramp. On-screen graphics were also overhauled to mirror the 1980s synth-wave aesthetic of the show.
However, while the visual atmosphere was praised, a segment of the audience felt the collaboration fell short because none of the Stranger Things cast members made an appearance during the live broadcast.
Despite the “missing” stars, the partnership was internally viewed as a massive success. According to PWInsider, Netflix executives were “thrilled” with how the crossover was handled and the level of brand integration achieved. The report further clarified that there were never any actual plans for the cast to attend the show, as the focus was always on the visual immersion and the crossover audience between the two global properties.
• Damian Priest’s Girlfriend Might Be Coming To SmackDown
The “Latina Fuego” may soon be bringing her high-level striking to Friday nights. According to a new report from Bodyslam, NXT star Lola Vice is the latest name internally discussed for a promotion to the WWE main roster. WWE officials are reportedly immensely impressed with her growth over the past year, citing her versatility in NXT and her standout performances during WWE’s collaborative shows with Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide.
If the move is finalized, Vice is expected to join the SmackDown brand. This placement would align her with her real-life partner, former World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest, who is currently a cornerstone of the blue brand.
Vice, a former Bellator MMA fighter with a 4-1 professional record, has transitioned seamlessly into sports entertainment since signing in 2022. Her long-term future with the company was solidified in the summer of 2025 when she signed a significant multi-year contract extension.
Vice’s potential jump comes amid a massive youth movement within WWE’s top tiers. In the opening weeks of 2026, the company has already integrated Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans, and TNA’s Jordynne Grace into the main roster landscape, while Oba Femi recently vacated his NXT Championship to prepare for his own debut.
Beyond Vice, NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne and Blake Monroe are also being heavily considered for call-ups as WWE looks to refresh its rosters ahead of the busy spring season.
• Chris Jericho Could Make A Surprising Move Before Rumored WWE Return
The wrestling world is on high alert as Chris Jericho’s rumored free agency takes an unexpected turn. While many assumed the former AEW World Champion was a lock for a WWE comeback following the alleged expiration of his contract on December 31, 2025, new reports suggest a detour to TNA Wrestling could be in the works.
According to Andrew Baydala on the Final Bell Media podcast, Jericho is reportedly “very interested” in working with TNA. Baydala clarified that while he believes Jericho has already reached a formal agreement to return to WWE, the veteran is pushing for a short-term appearance or a “pit stop” in TNA first. This would be a historic statement for TNA, especially as iMPACT prepares for its landmark debut on AMC this Thursday, January 15.
The timing of these rumors is particularly interesting. Fans in Brooklyn were left disappointed when Jericho didn’t appear on RAW, despite RAW General Manager Adam Pearce using the phrase “break down the walls” in his social media preview and Corey Graves referencing Jericho’s “Learning Tree” gimmick during the main event.
Despite the absence, Jericho remains on the AEW roster page, with Sean Ross Sapp reporting that there has been no internal memo sent in All Elite Wrestling regarding Jericho’s departure.
Should Jericho debut on the TNA AMC premiere, it would arguably be the biggest free-agent acquisition in the company’s modern history. With the existing working relationship between WWE and TNA, a scenario where a WWE-bound Jericho makes a “special attraction” appearance on the new network is being discussed as a genuine possibility to “move the needle” for the brand’s new era.
