_WWE: Unreal_, the new behind-the-scenes look at WWE’s creative and production processes coming to Netflix that’s been compared to Netflix series’ like _Formula 1: Drive to Survive_ and the NFL & HBO’s _Hard Knocks_, isn’t out for a few more weeks (July 29, to be precise).
Opinions have been being formed about the show from the moment WWE President Nick Khan first mentioned it last fall, however. Which is understandable, as it evidence of a lot of ways the professional wrestling business is changing in the modern world — especially since WWE became a TKO Group property.
Pro wrestling has intermittently utilized a version of its behind-the-scenes reality in its on-screen/in-ring stories for decades now, but WWE took a big step forward with last year’s _WrestleMania 40_ main event program between Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes & The Rock. After fans revolted against Rock replacing Rhodes as Reigns’ opponent and reports indicated things weren’t going much smoother backstage, WWE changed the story — and produced two shows dedicated to their pivot that they marketed to the public: the _WrestleMania XL Kickoff_ event and the _WrestleMania XL: Behind the Curtain_ video.
Now it seems they’ll be looking to apply that formula to their product on an ongoing basis (word is they’re already filming _Unreal_ season two for release early next year) via Netflix and shows like _Unreal_.
While few think WWE is going to provide us with an unedited, unfiltered look at how the proverbial sausage is made, no one is denying this is a significant change for a business built on secrecy. And most of what’s being expressed ahead of _Unreal_’s release is concern. The latest of which comes from WWE Hall of Famer and current AEW talent Jake “The Snake” Roberts.
Informed about the show by his podcast partner Marcus DeAngelo [on _The Snake Pit_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiP3jXUyDWk), Roberts didn’t seem surprised to learn that WWE would produce something like _Unreal_:
> “Like everything else, they make money with it, might as well do that too.”
But as far as breaking kayfabe any more than its already been broken, Jake doesn’t think the juice is worth the squeeze:
> “I think it’s foolish. I don’t think that product will ever warrant enough money being made as for the damage it’ll do.”
Time will tell if Roberts and others expressing similar concerns are right, or if _Unreal_ and similar efforts will successfully add new layers of story to pro wrestling.
Let us know what you think in the comments below, and check out the latest episode of _The Snake Pit_ [**here**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiP3jXUyDWk).