WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon has found herself at the center of controversy after appearing to endorse VPN usage to access WWE content on Netflix.
The incident occurred when McMahon was featured in what appeared to be a sponsored segment promoting Surfshark VPN. In the video, she explained: “WWE on Netflix is truly the best thing ever. But there’s one catch, not everybody gets that. A lot of you are still watching WWE the old school way, on cable, dealing with boring commercials while I’m enjoying uninterrupted action. Let’s fix that with today’s sponsor, Surfshark VPN.”
The promotion immediately drew attention from wrestling fans worldwide, with many expressing surprise that a WWE executive would openly suggest circumventing geographical restrictions.
Twitter user Zashy captured the sentiment of many viewers, posting: “Stephanie telling everyone to use a VPN for WWE on Netflix. She’s telling you guys not to pay $30.”
While Netflix has secured rights to Monday Night Raw in many regions, availability varies significantly by country, creating frustration for international audiences.
One Canadian fan pointed out the irony of the situation: “I’m in Canada, so Netflix plays everything like it does in the rest of the world. Yet WWE, an American company, makes its own people jump through hoops to watch the content.”
This endorsement comes at a particularly sensitive time for WWE’s streaming strategy. Recent reports have confirmed that ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer platform, set to launch in 2026, will cost $29.99 monthly for WWE Premium Live Events. The price point represents a significant increase from current options, with fans already expressing concern about the mounting costs of following WWE programming across multiple platforms.
The pricing revelation has intensified fan frustrations, as many currently juggle subscriptions across YouTube TV for SmackDown, Netflix for Raw, and Peacock for Premium Live Events. The prospect of adding another expensive streaming service has left many questioning the accessibility of WWE content.
Social media reactions to McMahon’s VPN endorsement have been mixed, with some fans praising her candor while others question the appropriateness of the suggestion.
