WWE Raw experienced a significant boost in viewership on its September 14, 2026 episode from Mexico City, which featured Roman Reigns defending his World Heavyweight Championship against Mexican star Penta. This episode drew 3.1 million global views on Netflix, marking the highest audience since April’s Raw After Mania event. The notable rise of 500,000 viewers from the previous week was especially impressive given the competition from the NFL’s Monday Night Football, which attracted over 23 million viewers for its season opener.

The bout between Reigns and Penta was a rarity, as Reigns had not defended his world title on Raw or SmackDown since June 2022. Over recent years, Reigns’ world title defenses outside pay-per-view events have become uncommon, making this match a significant television event. The fight also had added appeal because it took place in Penta's home country, creating an electric atmosphere with fans hopeful for a major upset, reminiscent of Sami Zayn’s past victory.

Penta’s performance solidified his rising status within WWE, contributing to Raw’s strong ratings. Despite not winning the title, Penta's growing popularity has been acknowledged by WWE, which recently positioned him as a key figure by booking him in a Money in the Bank qualifying match—where he triumphed and secured a spot for the upcoming pay-per-view event. His quick ascent signals WWE’s confidence in him as a future top star.

Roman Reigns remains WWE’s most powerful draw, having been instrumental in the company’s resurgence alongside prominent wrestlers like Cody Rhodes and CM Punk. The strong numbers for Raw on September 14 further demonstrate Reigns’ ability to captivate audiences, while also highlighting the potential impact of emerging talent like Penta in sustaining and growing WWE’s fanbase worldwide.