The John Report: WWE Raw Deal 01/05/26 Review

It’s WWE Monday Night Raw featuring CM Punk facing Bron Breakker, Kabuki Warriors against Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky, and more big matches.

This is the first WWE Monday Night Raw episode of the year, headlined by CM Punk defending the World Heavyweight Title against Bron Breakker. The match has been built up for over a month, so I’m looking forward to it. There are other big matches on this show, too. Last week’s Raw ended with The Usos becoming 9-time World Tag Team Champions after beating AJ Styles & Dragon Lee for the titles. It was a great match.

There’s a Stranger Things tie-in with this episode of Raw. Stranger Things is arguably the most popular show in Netflix history, so there will be some sort of integration with this episode of Raw. I don’t watch Stranger Things, so I apologize in advance for not getting any of the references that might take place on this show. I’m not against Stranger Things, nor do I mock anybody who likes it. I’m just saying it’s a show I haven’t watched yet. Maybe in the future I will. I really don’t watch many shows other than wrestling and sports. There are a lot of shows I should watch, but I get lazy about starting new ones. Anyway, if you like Stranger Things, I hope their presence on Raw enhances both shows.

The following two weeks of Raw will have earlier start times on January 12th in Düsseldorf, Germany, and January 19th in Belfast, Northern Ireland. I mentioned last week that it’s a smart move by WWE since they’re going against the NFL Playoffs on the 12th and the College Football Championship game on the 19th, so putting Raw on earlier in the day avoids that tough competition. Plus, I love afternoon shows. I’m all for it.

This is the Raw Deal for episode #1702 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

The main camera went upside down because of the Stranger Things theme and the Raw logo was upside down. They had some stuff from Stranger Things by the entrance area. The commentary team of Michael Cole and Corey Graves emerged from a van to give a rundown of the show.

There was some pre-show walking shown of Bron Breakker with The Vision, World Champion CM Punk, The Judgment Day, Lyra Valkyria with Bayley, Maxxine Dupri, and Becky Lynch. Graves welcomed us to Raw as pyro went off by the entrance.

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky made their entrance first as the challengers for the Women’s Tag Team Titles. They had the Stranger Things vines by the barricades and by the entrance area, so that made it look a bit different. Some might say that a Slim Jim logo in the middle ring is a strange thing, but that’s normal for WWE in this era. Anyway, The Kabuki Warriors made their entrance as the heel Women’s Tag Team Champions. The ring announcer, Alicia Taylor, did the in-ring championship introductions. The attendance was a sold-out crowd of 14,728 fans, according to Cole.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Kabuki Warriors – Asuka & Kairi Sane vs. Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky

I am a fan of starting the show with a match instead of a promo. Just saying. Sky cleared the ring of both opponents quickly. Ripley hit a somersault dive off the apron onto both opponents on the floor. They went to a break for some fans as the match continued. Ripley faced off with Sane, who punched Ripley in the jaw. Sane hit a shoulder to the ribs. Sane jumped off the top, Ripley avoided it and Ripley hit a clothesline. Sky was back in with a neckbreaker. Ripley slammed Sky onto Sane and Ripley got a two count. Ripley hit Sane with a forearm to the back. Normally, the heels take control during a break, but not in this match.

Asuka was back in for her team as she battled Ripley on the apron. Ripley went for an attack off the apron, but the champs moved and Ripley hit the floor. Asuka sent Ripley into the barricade. Sane used her legs to choke Ripley against the ropes. Sane hit a forearm to knock Ripley down. Sane and Asuka hit a bulldog-kick combo for two. Asuka grabbed Ripley’s hair, leading to a hair pull. Ripley caught Sane and hit a fallaway slam. Sky was back in with a Slingblade neckbreaker. Nice Tanahashi reference by Graves. Sky hit a missile dropkick on both opponents. Asuka sent Sky to the apron. Sane tripped up Sky by the apron, so Asuka hit a kick to the back. Sane jumped off the top with a double foot stomp to Sky’s back. The heels were in control as the show went to a break for some fans. Asuka and Sane were in control of Sky for the next three minutes.

The match continued with Sky hitting a stomp to the ribs of Sane. Ripley got the hot tag and the fans exploded in cheers. Ripley hit two clotheslines a knee to the face and a kick to the jaw. Ripley hit a spinning slam on Sane, along with a dropkick. Ripley kicked Asuka off the apron. Sky was back in as Ripley hit a Razor’s Edge and Sky told Sane to get back up as Sky hit a missile dropkick for two. Sane barely kicked out. Ripley hit a Riptide on Sane, and Asuka went in illegally to shove Ripley into Sky. Asuka hit a Codebreaker on Ripley and Sane covered Ripley for two. Asuka was back in with a sliding knee for two. Asuka worked over Ripley with strikes. Ripley tried a kick, Asuka caught her and hit a German Suplex. Asuka hit a spin kick and Sane tagged in with a clothesline/forearm combo for two. Asuka held Ripley while Sane went up top and hit an Insane Elbow for two because Sky made the save. Sky hit a German Suplex on Sane. Sky got the tag, Asuka tripped her up and got a cradle for two. Asuka got a backslide pin for two. Sky hit a double foot stomp to Asuka’s ribs. Sky hit the bullet train double knees on Asuka. Ripley was back in with Riptide on Asuka. Sky went up top and hit Over the Moonsault onto Asuka. Sky hit a suicide dive on Sane on the floor. Ripley covered Asuka for the…1…2…3! New champs! It went 17 minutes.

Winners by pinfall AND NEW Women’s Tag Team Champions: Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky

Analysis: ***3/4 It was a long match that was full of great moments and just under four stars to me. I thought Iyo Sky stood out as usual in any match she is in while Rhea Ripley had a lot of moments where she got to shine too. I would have liked to see some cheating spots to give Asuka and Sane some believable nearfalls to make it look like they had a shot to win. I wasn’t surprised by the title change since the Kabuki Warriors had the titles for a long time, and it felt like the right time for a title change. Ripley and Sky will probably hold those titles until WrestleMania, I’m assuming.

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky celebrated as the Women’s Tag Team Champions. It is Sky’s third Women’s Tag Team Title reign and Ripley’s second Women’s Tag Team Title reign. Pyro went off by the entrance.

A video package aired for the CM Punk-Bron Breakker main event for Punk’s World Heavyweight Title. Good stuff.

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky were backstage with their Tag Team Titles. Adam Pearce, the Raw GM, congratulated them on the win. Pearce spoke to Gunther. Pearce said that Gunther earned his win over John Cena, but everybody has seen him act disrespectfully after it’s over. Pearce advised Gunther to mix in a little respect because it goes a long way. Gunther laughed as he walked toward the ring.

Gunther made his entrance for a promo up next. He was holding his “Tap Like A…” shirt that he uses to upset people about Gunther beating John Cena. They went on a break for some fans as Gunther stood on the commentary table, and the fans booed him.

Let’s Hear from Gunther

The show continued as “The Ring General” Gunther was about to speak in the ring, but the fans booed him loudly, so he soaked up the boos even more. Gunther said he was asked by management to show a little bit of respect. They chanted, “You Tapped Out” at Gunther, which is true since he did that at WrestleMania last year. Gunther said he should get some respect. Gunther said he deserves respect for making John Cena tap out like a little…and here is AJ Styles.

AJ Styles walked down to the ring to confront Gunther. Styles is no longer a World Tag Team Champion, so he’ll likely be back as a singles wrestler again. The fans chanted “AJ Styles” as AJ stared at Gunther.

Before Styles could talk, Gunther interrupted and said he’s the greatest wrestler in this company right now, and that includes Styles. As Styles tried to speak, Gunther interrupted him to say he made John Cena tap out like a little…you know what. Gunther: “Like a little bitch!” Gunther said it leaves us with one question: “What is little AJ gonna do about it?” Gunther did the “You Can’t See Me” hand gesture to Styles. AJ smacked Gunther hard in the side of the face. They had a staredown, but there was no fight.

Styles said that’s what he thought because Gunther did nothing. Styles dropped the microphone and left.

Analysis: I thought it was a pretty good segment. It’s obviously going to lead to an AJ Styles match against Gunther. They can also do an angle in the Royal Rumble, then build it some more and do it again at WrestleMania for what could be AJ’s retirement match. Gunther is doing a terrific job of being a heel that is easy to hate because of how much of a bragging jerk he is, so having Styles stand up to him out of respect for Cena is a great way to build a story between them.

A video package aired for the Maxxine Dupri-Becky Lynch match for the Women’s IC Title.

Becky Lynch made her entrance for her championship match. They had a Stranger Things fan cam showing some fans in the crowd to kill time during the break for some fans.

Ivy Nile was backstage complaining to Adam Pearce about how she wants another Women’s IC Title shot. Nile said she’s not going to the back of the line. Pearce said we have to find out who the champion is.

Gunther complained to Adam Pearce about how he wanted AJ Styles in a match. Styles went up to Gunther to get in his face. Gunther said he wanted Styles in a match to make it official. Perce made it official for Raw in Düsseldorf, Germany, next week.

Analysis: That’s a great match for next week with Gunther against Styles.

Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Maxxine Dupri vs. Becky Lynch

The champ Dupri got married on New Year’s Eve, so congrats to her. Lynch sent Dupri into the turnbuckle and hit a kick. Dupri hit a Thesz Press, along with punches and the fans barely reacted to it. They exchanged some moves on the apron and Dupri kicked Lynch when they were on the floor. They went on a break for some fans as Dupri sent Lynch into the barricade. Dupri sent Lynch back into the ring. Lynch hit a jawbreaker, and Lynch pulled Dupri off the turnbuckle. Lynch hit a Bexploder. Lynch with a baseball slide kick. Lynch hit a forearm to knock Dupri down on the floor. Lynch hit a leg drop off the middle rope. Lynch grabbed a chinlock.

Lynch remained in control, going for an armbar, but Dupri got out of it, and Dupri hit a boot to the face. I think some fans were chanting “Y2J” and the announcers ignored it. Dupri fired up with clotheslines and a running splash. Dupri hit a Fisherman’s Suplex. Dupri hit a running knee, some sort of backbreaker and a spin kick for two. Dupri went up top, Lynch avoided that and Dupri applied the Ankle Lock. Lynch got out of it and went for the Disarm-her, but Dupri got out of that. Lynch hit a shoulder tackle to the ribs. Lynch hit a superplex off the middle turnbuckle and DDT followed for two. Lynch and Dupri countered eachother, leading to Lynch hitting an Olympic Slam-like move for two. Dupri sent Lynch into the turnbuckle and Dupri hit a German Suplex. Dupri jumped off the top and hit a cross body block for a two count. That’s what she used to beat Lynch for the title. Lynch went to the turnbuckle, Dupri went after her there and Lynch went for a Powerbomb, but Dupri slipped out of it. Dupri applied an Ankle Lock, Lynch flipped out of it and Dupri held on. Lynch held onto the ropes while pinning Dupri, and the referee, Danilo Anfibio, counted the pin because the referee never saw Lynch holding the ropes. It went about 13 minutes.

Winner by submission AND NEW Women’s Intercontinental Champion: Becky Lynch

Analysis: ***1/4 A cheap win by Lynch to get the title back. I guess they just put the title on Dupri as a feel-good moment and to have her with the title for her wedding on New Year’s Eve, because now the title is back on Lynch. You could use logic to say that another referee could come out there to reverse the decision since Lynch cheated, but in WWE, they try to tell us that the referee’s decision is final. The fans weren’t behind Dupri as much as some other crowds in the past, but Dupri did have some cool moves in the match. I’m fine with the title change since Lynch is so talented and makes everybody better. They will probably find another woman for her to lose the title to.

Becky Lynch celebrated with the Women’s Intercontinental Title. Lynch said, “We are back,” and nobody is taking the title from her again.

A video package aired about the NXT Champion Oba Femi.

The Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer was walking backstage with a boot on her left foot. The Creed Brothers were on some boat in the background.

They were on a break for some fans as Raw GM Adam Pearce did a promo. Pearce said there have been new faces on Raw and SmackDown, but none are more exciting than this young man. It was a video about 21-year-old Je’Von Evans joining the Raw roster. Evans signed the contract to officially join Raw. Pearce said it’s official. They shook hands while the fans cheered.

Analysis: I’m happy for Evans, who is so fun to watch and a future star in WWE for sure. Evans just lost to Ricky Saints on Raw last Tuesday on NXT, so it was no surprise that he was coming to the main roster.

https://www.wwe.com/f/styles/wwe_16_9_l_fc/public/video/thumb/2026/01/dchiraw1702_10_ntwk_rev_1.jpg

https://www.wwe.com/f/styles/wwe_16_9_l_fc/public/video/thumb/2026/01/dchiraw1702_10_ntwk_rev_1.jpg

The Usos were in the crowd as the World Tag Team Champions. After the song stopped the first time, they played it again. The song, “It’s just me, Uce” means less when Jey is with his brother again. They did a promo from the crowd. Jimmy said it’s the first Raw of the new year with the new WWE World Tag Team Champions. Jey said that they appreciated the fight with AJ Styles and Dragon Lee. Jimmy said that was last week and last year. Jey said it’s their year. Jey said it’s a warning shot for every tag team in the game. Jimmy said that they are the best tag team in the game. Jimmy said they’ll be waiting right here. Jimmy said they will keep making history. Jey got the crowd to chant, “Yeet” and they did some Yeeting.

Analysis: It was a unique location for a promo, but they didn’t have to go to the ring for it, so it’s fine. Hopefully there is a good tag team feud for them in the months ahead. I enjoy The Usos as a team.

Stephanie Vaquer Interview

Jackie Redmond introduced the Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer for an interview in the ring. Jackie mentioned Vaquer was the champion for 108 days. Vaquer had her left foot in the boot. When Vaquer got into the ring, Jackie asked Vaquer what now? Vaquer said 2025 was amazing. Vaquer said that she won four titles, her debut on Raw and she became WWE Women’s World Champion.

Vaquer thanked the fans for believing in her. Vaquer spoke in Spanish, so I had no idea what she said. Vaquer said that this boot on her foot will not stop her. Vaquer said she wants more and she wants everyone. They played Vaquer’s music, but here’s an attack.

Raquel Rodriguez attacked Vaquer from behind. Raquel worked over Vaquer with punches. Raquel slammed Vaquer’s injured left foot into the mat three times. Raquel picked up Vaquer and hit a Texana Bomb. Two referees finally went into the ring as Raquel grabbed a chair. Raquel tried to do more damage with the chair, but Raw GM Adam Pearce and other WWE Officials went out there to stop Raquel from doing more damage. Vaquer was selling the left foot injury while Raquel left.

Analysis: The rivalry continues. Stephanie Vaquer beat Raquel Rodriguez and Nikki Bella in a triple threat match, but clearly, Raquel isn’t ready to be done with her. That will lead to Vaquer against Raquel in a singles match. It’s certainly possible that Raquel takes the title from Vaquer, but I wouldn’t mind it if Steph remained as champion.

Stephanie Vaquer was helped out of the ring and walked to the backstage area. This was during a break for some fans.

The WrestleMania 42 commercial aired.

They showed Stephanie Vaquer backstage, and Raquel Rodriguez attacked Vaquer again. Raw GM Adam Pearce was there and told Raquel to get out of there, or he’ll fine her for everything she has. Pearce told WWE Official Shane Helms to get Raquel out of the building. Vaquer was down selling again.

Rey Mysterio was backstage talking to Dragon Lee. Rey told Lee he has come a long way and he’ll be a champion again. Lee left. Penta walked in to talk to Rey. Penta said that Rey called him and Penta was there because he saw what The Vision was doing. Penta and Rey spoke in Spanish a bit. Rey thanked Penta for having his back. Rey said that Penta understands the tradition, honor and respect of lucha libre, while The Vision wants to destroy it. Penta said any time Rey needs him, Penta will be here for him.

Analysis: I like Rey and Penta together as a team. Easy to like.

Liv Morgan (w/Roxanne Perez) vs. Lyra Valkyria (w/Bayley)

This is Liv’s first TV match since June of last year, when she hurt her shoulder. Liv has wrestled at live events recently. Lyra did a sweep kick and a kick. Lyra hit a Fisherman’s Suplex. Lyra kicked Liv out of the ring to the floor. Lyra was on the apron, and Liv hit her with a knee to the face. Liv sent Lyra into the steel steps. They went on a break for some fans, so I will take a break too, as Liv was in control.

The match continued with a double clothesline spot to put both women down. Liv and Lyra exchanged punches. Liv hit a running forearm, and Lyra hit a running forearm of her own. Lyra caught Liv on the ropes and hit a German Suplex. Lyra hit a Fisherman’s Suplex for two. Lyra and Liv countered eachother for two counts. Lyra went for a power move, but Liv countered with a double knee attack for two. After Liv distracted the referee, Raquel pulled the ropes open, and Lyra fell out of the ring. Bayley went after Perez, who punched Bayley, and Perez sent Bayley over the barricade. Bayley chased Raquel into the ring with a steel chair, and they went running to the back. Lyra was by the ropes, so Liv hit Oblivion for the pinfall win after 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Liv Morgan

Analysis: **3/4 A solid match to give Liv a win in her return to the ring. I didn’t love the finish because it was just one move after the Bayley/Perez spot. I would have liked to see Liv hit a few moves before hitting the finisher there.

CM Punk, the World Champion, was interviewed by Jackie Redmond backstage. Punk said everybody has an opinion. Punk said that if people think he’s going to lose because of one Spear, then it doesn’t matter to him. Punk said if you underestimate him, then that’s fine, but Punk will hit the GTS and beat you. Punk left.

Logan Paul and Austin Theory were interviewed by Byron Saxton in the back part of the arena. This was during a break for some fans. Paul trashed Rey and Penta, and then he mocked the fans for living in Brooklyn. Theory said that Bron Breakker becoming the World Champion is the next step for The Vision. Logan said he has seen Breakker’s potential from the beginning. Logan said that they aren’t the future, they are the now and it’s happening now. Logan claimed they were taking everything. Logan said it’s a new world and it starts with the new World Heavyweight Champion, Bron Breakker.

There was a replay of the Gunther-AJ Styles confrontation from earlier in the night.

Next week on Raw in Dusseldorf, Germany, with a 2 p.m. ET start time: AJ Styles vs. Gunther.

It was main event time as Bron Breakker made his entrance, joined by the WWE Hall of Famer, Paul Heyman. They went on a break for some fans as Bron walked around the ring looking tough for a few minutes. They did Signs of the Night as well.

The World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk made his entrance and he got a big ovation from the crowd. Punk had a varsity jacket that said “CM” on it, similar to Bron’s dad and uncle Rick & Scott Steiner, so that’s a unique look for an entrance. Alicia Taylor did the in-ring championship introductions.

World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk vs. Bron Breakker (w/Paul Heyman)

Punk was wrestling shirtless for this match, just in case any Hall of Famer wants to complain about his look again. They started with some mat wrestling as Punk did a fireman’s carry. Punk tried a leapfrog, but Bron hit a powerslam to counter. They went on a break for some fans as Bron remained in control for a few minutes.

Bron was in control after running the ropes quickly and hitting a running clothesline. Bron sent Punk sternum first into the turnbuckle for the Bret Hart bump. Bron hit a catapult that sent Punk into the bottom rope. Bron overpowered Punk with a body slam, followed by punches to the head. Bron hit an overhead suplex, and he grabbed a chinlock after that. Bron hit a belly-to-back suplex on Punk for two. Punk tried to fight back, but Bron sent Punk into the turnbuckle. Bron hit a running knee to the nose. Punk lifted Bron up, but Bron got out of it and Bron hit a gutbuster with two knees to the ribs for a two count. Punk left the ring, so Bron went on a run on the floor, but Punk stopped that with a clothesline. They went on a break for some fans as the action continued. Punk hit a clothesline off the barricade on the floor. Back in the ring, Punk hit a cross body block off the top for two. Punk tried a bulldog, but Bron countered by sending Punk groin-first into the turnbuckle. Bron hit a suplex, followed by a standing moonsault for two.

Bron was back up to his feet while Punk was slowly getting back to his feet. Bron charged, Punk moved and Bron went shoulder into the post. Punk hit a GTS for one…two…and no! Bron got his right shoulder up at two! That nearfall surprised the crowd. Punk gave Bron a piledriver and it wasn’t a great one, but it got a two count. Punk went for the GTS, but Bron got a hold of the left arm into an armbar. Punk countered for a two count, but Bron still had the submission on. Punk got out of it and applied the Anaconda Vice around the head/neck. Bron sat back up, stared at Punk and got back up. Bron hit his two knees to the ribs for a gutbuster. Bron hit a clothesline for a two count. Bron signalled for a Go To Sleep, he picked Punk up and Punk countered a GTS attempt into the STF that John Cena used as a submission finisher. Bron called to the bottom rope to break the hold, Punk applied the STF again, and Heyman was on the apron again. Punk punched Heyman in the head. Bron tried a Spear, but Punk moved and Bron went to the floor. Punk went for a suicide dive, but Bron stopped that with a punch to the head. Punk went to the commentary table. Bron went up to the top rope and Bron jumped off the top with a clothesline that put them both through the table. That was amazing. It’s not an easy leap to make. Bron put Punk back into the ring. Bron ran the ropes and Bron went for a Spear, but Punk got a knee up to block. Punk hit a GTS on Bron for the pinfall win after 26 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: CM Punk

Analysis: **** I thought it was an excellent World Title match. These guys had a long match full of nearfalls and near submissions throughout the match. The Vision guys showed up, Bron nearly won at that point and then I liked how the babyface masked trio of Rey, Penta and Lee were there to have Punk’s back. After that table spot that they did, it looked like Bron might win, but deep down I felt like Punk retaining was the likely outcome. It didn’t feel like the right time for Breakker to win. I think Bron winning the World Title this year is very possible, but not yet. Perhaps Bron wins the Royal Rumble or Elimination Chamber to set that up. It has been rumored that Punk-Breakker will go to WrestleMania, so perhaps that’s where Breakker will get the win.

PUNK RETAINS! 🏆@CMPunk is STILL World Heavyweight Champion! pic.twitter.com/69Mk2U1R6e

— WWE (@WWE) January 6, 2026

CM Punk celebrated with the World Heavyweight Title on the ropes while Bron Breakker was on the floor. Cole said that Punk was still the best in the world and still the World Champion. Punk continued to celebrate. End show.

Analysis: If you were thinking that Chris Jericho might return to WWE at the end there, it didn’t happen. See ya at the Royal Rumble, Chris.

This week’s Raw had a runtime of 2 hours and 27 minutes on Netflix.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. CM Punk
2. Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky
3. Bron Breakker

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The Scoreboard

7.75 out of 10

Last week: 7.5

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Final Thoughts on WWE Raw

It was a very good Raw episode. The opening women’s tag and the Punk/Breakker main event were both outstanding matches that got a lot of time and had babyface wins. I’m happy for Ripley & Sky as the new Women’s Tag Team Champions, while I expected CM Punk to keep his title. I didn’t expect Becky Lynch to regain her Women’s IC Title from Maxxine Dupri, but I don’t mind it because Lynch is awesome.

In terms of non-wrestling segments, I thought they advanced stories well. AJ Styles confronting Gunther set up their big match for next week. Also, Raquel Rodriguez did a cheap attack on Stephanie Vaquer to continue that story. Well done in both cases.

There were only four matches, and three of them involved the women’s division. It’s rare to see just one men’s match on an episode of Raw. I’m not sure if that’s ever happened before. Enjoyable Raw to start 2026, in my opinion.

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Thanks for reading. Please check out my reviews of every WWE PPV ever listed in order. Go Los Angeles Rams, Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs. My contact info is below.

John Canton

Email [email protected]

Twitter/X @johnreport