Netflix’s WWE, Abbott’s Always Sunny crossover, and more new TV this week

We are well into the new year (six days), which means we are well on our way to an onslaught of new TV. The bulk of today’s dispatch comes from Crunchyroll, where the winter anime season is in full swing. We’ve offered only a handful of the many premieres this week over there, but suffice it to say: hard to go wrong! Particularly with titles from CloverWorks, MAPPA, and Toho all launching (and again: just to start!). Of course, the biggest Event™ comes in a few flavors this week: Are you watching the sure to be ruthless and cutthroat crossover event (Abbott Elementary meets It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), or are you watching WWE Raw on Netflix? Here’s the best new TV premieres of the week. Table of Contents New shows on Netflix WWE Monday Night Raw [Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQe3zyC5kBo] Genre: Wrestling Release date: Jan. 6 at 5 p.m. PST/8 p.m. EST Hosts: Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett Netflix is continuing its run of live programming with maybe its biggest get (after the NFL Christmas Beyoncé halftime show): WWE Monday Night Raw! If it’s anything like the rest of WWE, it will be surprisingly good, after a year or so of the wrestling program remaking itself. If it’s anything like Netflix’s other live offerings, it will be glitchy as hell. Either way, it’s sure to be an event. Sakamoto Days [Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TbmxbckSjE] Genre: Aging assassin who just wants to live his life Release date: Jan. 11, with one episode Studio: TMS Entertainment You’re familiar with the story: A legendary hitman, Taro Sakamoto, was once feared by all who knew him. Then, one day, he retired, fell in love, gained weight, and now aspires to live a life with his wife and children free from conflict. But his skills are still there, as are his enemies. And so Sakamoto will break his one rule in order to preserve the life he has, even if it means introducing a bit of goofy chaos. New shows on Hulu Abbott Elementary/It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia crossover [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25275392/170819_0494.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Genre: Sitcom hijinks Release date: Jan. 8 at 8:30 p.m. EST; next day on Hulu Showrunner/creator: Quinta Brunson Cast: Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and more Two shows, one hometown. How will the teachers of Abbott pair with the fuck-ups of Paddy’s Pub? My guess would be: Philly style. Beyond that — or even what that will really mean — I don’t know. But something tells me Frank and Mr. Johnson could hang. New shows on Peacock The Traitors season 3 [Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-5NrZW9Thg] Genre: Cutthroat reality competition Release date: Jan. 9 Host: Alan Cumming Cast: A cast of cutthroats looking to play glorified Mafia A stunning Scottish castle, a dashing Scottish host, and a host of ruthless game-players who all want to take the pot of money for themselves. Who will be named a traitor, who will be voted off, and who will eat shit in the Scottish countryside on one of the tasks? New shows on Crunchyroll Dr. Stone: Science Future [Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjBQrDy5wLU] Genre: Fantasy Release date: Jan. 9 Studio: TMS Entertainment The gang is returning to the Kingdom of Science after the battle on Treasure Island. But first, they must harvest all the required materials (via a voyage to the Americas) in order to continue their fight to save humanity once and for all. The Apothecary Diaries season 2 [Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuJWTE5U7Gg] Genre: Palace intrigue Release date: Jan. 10 Studio: Toho Animation Studio and OLM There are rising dangers at the palace, but Maomao has to keep her cool and food test. But there’s plenty of developments that are making that harder than ever: a favored concubine becoming pregnant, an attempt at Jinshi’s life, and a foreign envoy with impossible demands — all just another day in the heart of the empire. I May Be a Guild Receptionist, but I’ll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time [Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVrzN-r4MKA] Genre: Boss bitch Release date: Jan. 10 Studio: CloverWorks Alina had the perfect stable, safe job as a guild receptionist. But her super cute uniform isn’t enough for dealing with adventurers getting stuck clearing a dungeon. And so Alina does the only logical thing: taking on bosses herself, under a secret identity. Is she powerful enough to stop her secret from turning her life topsy-turvy? Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun season 2 [Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pRRgTl7QbE] Genre: Paranormal hijinks Release date: Jan. 11 Studio: Lerche Kamome Academy has a rumor going around: Is there a traitor among the ranks of the Seven Wonders? Hanako, Nene Yashiro, and Kou Minamoto are working together to find the truth. Now with only five remaining, can they find the traitor before it’s too late? The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, REALLY Love You season 2 [Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCxoP8-TH7Q] Genre: Romance x 100 Release date: Jan. 12 Studio: Bibury Animation Studios Rentaro Aijo was rejected loads of times — until the God of Love promises that he will meet 100 people he’s destined to date. Now in its second season, The 100 Girlfriends’ 100 girlfriends are all there and clamoring for Rentaro’s attentions — leaving him to figure out how to juggle all these romantic entanglements.