WWE fans across the United Kingdom are in for another treat this evening as Monday Night Raw kicks off at the viewer-friendly time of 8pm, broadcast live on Netflix. This continues a welcome trend for British audiences, who have recently enjoyed episodes of both Raw and SmackDown airing outside their traditional 1am slots.
What's On The Card For Tonight's Early Raw?
The action comes live from the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and the card is stacked with major championship bouts. In the main event, the controversial CM Punk will defend his World Heavyweight Championship against a formidable challenger, Ireland's own Finn Balor.
Meanwhile, Becky Lynch puts her Intercontinental Title on the line against Maxxine Dupri. The show will also feature a high-flying six-man tag team match and a singles bout between Je'Von Evans and El Grande Americano.
Why Is WWE Raw Starting Early in the UK?
This convenient scheduling shift is a direct benefit of WWE's new global partnership with Netflix and its ongoing Royal Rumble 2026 tour across the UK and Europe. Historically, when WWE taped shows internationally, UK fans still had to adhere to US broadcast times, meaning a show filmed in the UK at 6pm wouldn't air until 1am.
Netflix's acquisition of WWE's international broadcast rights has changed the game, allowing events to be streamed live at local times. This tour marks the first time WWE has broadcast televised events from Belfast and Dusseldorf, and represents returns to Poland after 11 years and Denmark after 9 years.
The Future of WWE in the UK and Europe
The success of international crowds and the flexibility of the Netflix deal are giving WWE strong impetus to bring its flagship shows overseas more frequently. The company has already confirmed a Raw taping at London's O2 Arena in June 2026, for which fans can currently register for pre-sale tickets.
This announcement has sparked speculation among fans that a UK-based Premium Live Event (PLE) could be in the pipeline for later in the year, as no PLE has yet been announced for that June window. The ongoing tour and these schedule changes signal a significant and positive shift in how WWE engages with its passionate fanbase outside North America.
