How To Watch WWE Raw, SmackDown, And NXT In Japan?
WWE Fans in Japan Get Easier Access to Wrestling Action Good news for WWE fans in Japan! Watching WWE’s weekly shows and premium live events (PLEs) just got a lot simpler. Today, WWE announced a new media partnership with the free ad-supported streaming service ABEMA. Starting next month, Japanese fans can catch Raw, SmackDown, and PLEs through this platform. Notably, this marks the first time that Raw and SmackDown will be available for free in Japan with Japanese commentary, and they’ll be up less than 24 hours after airing in the U.S. In addition to Raw and SmackDown, WWE PLEs will be accessible on ABEMA, and you can also watch “WWE NXT” on demand. As part of this agreement, Japanese fans can enjoy every edition of WrestleMania on demand, beginning October 1. It’s worth mentioning that WWE has been without a Japanese media partner for over a year since its deal with J Sports ended. Unlike J Sports, which required a subscription and had Japanese subtitles but lacked Japanese commentary, ABEMA offers a new, more accessible way for fans to enjoy WWE content. ABEMA, which launched in 2016, has recently ventured into live sports streaming, including MLB games in 2021 and the FIFA World Cup in 2022. The platform also holds the rights to broadcast some Premier League and Bundesliga soccer matches. Here are the details for watching WWE in Japan: – WWE RAW airs at 8 p.m. on Tuesday nights. – WWE SmackDown is on at 8 p.m. on Saturdays. – WWE NXT can be watched on demand. For those looking for online streaming options, consider these platforms: – WWE Network: This premium streaming service offers a vast library of WWE content, including live events like NXT No Mercy. Simply log in to your WWE Network account to enjoy the show. – J Sports: Another reliable option for streaming WWE content in Japan, often providing live streams of WWE events for online streaming fans. Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Akira Tozawa shared the news in Japanese, confirming that ABEMA is the go-to place for WWE programming in the future. Japanese broadcasts of “Raw” and “SmackDown” with Japanese commentary will be available one day after the U.S. broadcasts. Previously, WWE’s distribution in Japan relied on a partnership with J Sports, which ended in early 2022 after more than two decades. Under that deal, Japanese fans had to pay for a subscription to access WWE programming. Now, everything will be accessible for free on ABEMA. Japan has a thriving professional wrestling scene, hosting promotions like New Japan Pro-Wrestling, All Japan Pro Wrestling, DDT, Pro Wrestling NOAH, Dragon Gate, and more. While there were rumors of WWE considering an NXT branch in Japan, there hasn’t been significant progress on that front in recent years, although that could change in the future.
List Of All Current Champions In WWE From RAW, Smackdown, And NXT Till Payback 2023
WWE, the thrilling world of professional wrestling, currently boasts an impressive array of 12 championships and titles spread across its three prominent brands: RAW, SmackDown, and NXT. Let’s delve into the captivating roster of titleholders and champions reigning supreme within the wrestling universe. RAW Brand Champions World Heavyweight Champion: Seth Rollins– Crowned: May 27, 2023– Event: Night of Champions 2023– Opponent: AJ Styles– Reign Number: 1– Days Holding the Title: 97+ The anticipation culminated at Night of Champions 2023 as WWE introduced the prestigious World Heavyweight Championship. Seth Rollins emerged victorious, conquering AJ Styles and etching his name in history as the inaugural champion. Women’s World Champion: Rhea Ripley– Crowned: April 1, 2023– Event: Wrestlemania 39– Opponent: Charlotte Flair– Reign Number: 1– Days Holding the Title: 153+ At the spectacular Wrestlemania 39 event, Rhea Ripley triumphed over Charlotte Flair, securing the coveted SmackDown Women’s Championship. It’s worth mentioning that Rhea Ripley’s path took a new turn with her transition to RAW in 2023, adding an air of intrigue to the future of the championship’s destiny. Intercontinental Champion: Gunther– Crowned: June 10, 2022– Event: SmackDown– Opponent: Ricochet– Reign Number: 1– Days Holding the Title: 448+ On a fateful day on June 10, 2022, Gunther overcame Ricochet on SmackDown, capturing the Intercontinental Championship. The landscape shifted during the WWE Draft 2023, transferring Gunther and the coveted IC title from SmackDown to RAW. Unified WWE Tag Team Champions: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn – Crowned: April 1, 2023– Event: Wrestlemania 39– Opponents: The Usos (Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso)– Reign Number: 1– Days Holding the Title: 153+ Wrestlemania 39 witnessed the unification of the RAW and SmackDown Tag Team Championships as Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn emerged victorious against The Usos, etching their names in history. SmackDown Brand Champions Undisputed WWE Universal Champion: Roman Reigns– Crowned: August 30, 2020– Event: Payback 2020– Opponents: Triple Threat Match against “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman– Reign Number: 2– Days Holding the Title: 1097+ The dramatic victory at Payback 2020 saw Roman Reigns outlast “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman in a triple threat match, securing the Universal Championship by pinning Braun Strowman. The saga continued as he unified the WWE Championship by overcoming Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 38. WWE Women’s Champion: Iyo Sky– Crowned: August 05, 2023– Event: Summerslam– Opponent: Bianca Belair– Reign Number: 1– Days Holding the Title: 27+ A sensational twist occurred at Summerslam 2023 when Iyo Sky capitalized on her Money in the Bank briefcase, besting Bianca Belair to claim the WWE Women’s Championship. United States Champion: Rey Mysterio– Crowned: August 11, 2023– Event: Smackdown– Opponent: Austin Theory– Reign Number: 3– Days Holding the Title: 21+ A whirlwind match on August 11, 2023, saw Rey Mysterio overcome Austin Theory, securing his third reign as the United States Champion. The unexpected removal of Austin Theory’s intended opponent, Santos Escobar, set the stage for this captivating clash. NXT Brand Champions NXT Champion: Carmelo Hayes– Crowned: April 1, 2023– Event: NXT Stand & Deliver 2023– Opponent: Bron Breakker– Reign Number: 1– Days Holding the Title: 153+ Carmelo Hayes etched his name in the annals of history by defeating Bron Breakker at NXT Stand & Deliver 2023, clinching the prestigious NXT Championship. NXT Women’s Champion: Tiffany Stratton– Crowned: May 28, 2023– Event: NXT Battleground 2023– Opponent: Lyra Valkyrie– Reign Number: 1– Days Holding the Title: 96+ Tiffany Stratton’s star shone brightly as she emerged victorious over Lyra Valkyrie in the final of the NXT Women’s Championship Tournament at NXT Battleground 2023. Her victory followed Indi Hartwell’s relinquishment of the title due to her transition to RAW in Draft 2023. NXT North American Champion: Dominik Mysterio– Crowned: July 18, 2023– Event: NXT– Opponent: Wes Lee– Reign Number: 1– Days Holding the Title: 45+ Dominik Mysterio’s journey reached a monumental milestone on July 18, 2023, as he secured his first singles title by defeating Wes Lee on an episode of NXT. NXT Tag Team Champions: The Family (Tony D’Angelo & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo)– Crowned: July 30, 2023– Event: NXT The Great American Bash– Opponents: Gallus (Mark Coffey & Wolfgang)– Reign Number: 1– Days Holding the Title: 33+ A triumphant alliance, The Family, comprising Tony D’Angelo and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, conquered Gallus at NXT The Great American Bash 2023, seizing the NXT Tag Team Championship. Unbranded/Shared Champions across all three brands : WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions: Piper Niven & Chelsea Green– Event: July 17, 2023– Event: RAW– Opponents: Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler– Reign Numbers: Piper Niven – 1, Chelsea Green – 1– Days Holding the Title: 46+ Green initially secured the title alongside Sonya Deville by Vivtory over Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan on Raw. Nevertheless, due to Deville’s unfortunate knee injury, she was substituted by Niven during the August 14, 2023, episode of Raw. This is viewed as an extension of Green’s championship reign that commenced with Deville, hence not constituting a distinct second reign for Green. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Who holds the title of Undisputed WWE Universal Champion? – Current Champion: Roman Reigns– Triumph Date: August 30, 2020– Reign Number: 2 Who is the reigning WWE World Heavyweight Champion? – Current Champion: Seth Rollins– Triumph Date: May 27, 2023– Reign Number: 1 Who is the present NXT Champion? – Current Champion: Carmelo Hayes– Triumph Date: April 1, 2023– Reign Number: 1 This guide gives you a comprehensive view of the champions reigning supreme across WWE’s RAW, SmackDown, and NXT brands. The wrestling universe remains abuzz with anticipation and excitement as these incredible athletes continue to etch their names in the annals of history. Also Read: 5 Active WWE Superstars With The Highest Net Worth In 2023
