Reviews

The John Report: WWE Raw Deal 01/12/26 Review – LIVE!

By John Canton • Published Jan 12, 2026 17:07 EST
WWE Raw January 12

It’s WWE Monday Night Raw featuring AJ Styles facing Gunther, and more from Germany.

This week’s Raw is taking place in Düsseldorf, Germany, with a 2 p.m. ET start time, which I love because then I am free to watch the NFL game tonight. I am in a good mood since my beloved LA Rams won on Saturday to move to the final 8 in the NFL Playoffs, and I really think they can make it all the way. As for wrestling, we are on the road to the Royal Rumble in less than three weeks, so wrestlers doing promos about how they are going to win the Royal Rumble should be starting soon.

Last week’s Raw saw CM Punk successfully defend the World Heavyweight Title against Bron Breakker in the main event. Punk won clean. I still think Breakker could win the Royal Rumble or Men’s Elimination Chamber to get another shot at WrestleMania 42. Also, Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky beat Asuka & Kairi Sane to win the Women’s Tag Team Titles and Becky Lynch beat Maxxine Dupri to regain the Women’s Intercontinental Title. I enjoyed both of those matches and the show overall.

This is the Raw Deal for episode #1703 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at the PSD Bank Dome in Düsseldorf, Germany. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

A video package aired showing highlights of last week’s Raw.

There was some pre-show walking shown of CM Punk, Logan Paul with Bronson Reed, Austin Theory & Paul Heyman, Je’Von Evans, Bravo Americano with Los Americanos, AJ Styles, and Gunther.

The Raw commentary team this week was Michael Cole and Wade Barrett, who is normally on SmackDown with Joe Tessitore. SmackDown was in Berlin last Friday. I guess they just felt like not flying Corey Graves over, so Barrett is on both shows for this week. Alicia Taylor was the ring announcer.

Let’s Hear from Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky

The new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky, made their entrance to start the show. They aren’t in their wrestling gear, so it’s promo time. The fans loved them as usual.

Rhea Ripley welcomed Dusseldorf to Monday Night Rhyo. Ripley said they have finally put the Kabuki Warriors in their place because you are now looking at the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. The fans chanted, “You deserve it” for them. Sky had a line about how nobody was ready for them similar to what Asuka says. Ripley tried to say more, but she was interrupted.

The Judgment Day’s Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez interrupted in their ring gear. Morgan congratulated them on becoming the new champions. The fans booed the heelish Morgan, who was in her ring gear with Perez. Morgan said that those still belong to them and she never lost her titles.

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria interrupted and they were in their ring gear, so it’s obvious what was going to happen. Stevie Wonder could see it coming. Anyway, Bayley pointed out that Perez lost the Tag Team Titles and she beat Perez a few weeks ago on Raw. Bayley thinks they deserve a Tag Team Title match.

Ripley said that they were willing to face anyone. Sky ranted in Japanese at them. The two teams argued. Asuka and Kairi Sane showed up to pull Ripley and Sky out of the ring. The three non-championship teams got into a brawl in the ring. Ripley and Sky got back into the ring to beat up the other teams. Sky hit an uppercut and Ripley hit a fallaway slam. Sky hit a running dropkick to take out two wrestlers. Ripley and Sky stood tall with their titles.

Analysis: The women’s tag team division continues to be loaded with teams that believe they should be the champions. It has been going on for weeks, even months, and at some point, there’s going to be a multi-team match. Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky are the likable fighting champions, Liv Morgan did have a valid point about not losing the titles since she was injured and then Bayley/Lyra had valid points too. It was fine.

AJ Styles was interviewed by Jackie Redmond. Styles spoke about Gunther disrespecting John Cena for weeks, so Styles said he slapped Gunther in the face because Cena is not here and he couldn’t do it. Styles said he’s going to make Gunther tap out like a little bitch. Well played.

Je’Von Evans made his entrance and the fans popped big for The Young OG was cheered by the fans. Bravo Americano of Los Americanos made his entrance as Evans’ opponent. This was during the break for some fans.

A triple threat #1 contender’s match was announced: Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Kabuki Warriors.

Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez were backstage talking to Finn Balor in The Judgment Day’s clubhouse. Balor was playing a video game. Liv tried to fire up Balor, saying it’s time to stop playing games and get some things done. Perez said Morgan had a point. After the girls left, Balor said, “just you watch.”

Je’Von Evans vs. Bravo Americano (w/El Grande Americano & Rayo Americano)

The fans chanted “Ludwig Kaiser” at El Grande Americano since he’s from Germany and they probably want to see him, but he’s Grande instead. Bravo (Tyler Bate) was in control early on with some kicks. Evans got some offense going with a hurricanrana and a dropkick. After a distraction from Rayo, Grande hit a jumping kick. Cole said Grande had family in Germany and Wade called it fake news. That was funny. Bravo hit a backbreaker for two. Bravo hit a headbutt and a chinlock. Evans came back with punches, and a jumping punch. Evans bounced off the ropes with a twisting kick to the head. After Bravo left the ring, Evans jumped over the top and onto Bravo. Evans hit a running knee for two. Evans kicked Bravo in the jaw, but Bravo got a hold of Evans and hit an airplane spin. Bravo turned it into a spinning slam. The announcers made Tyler Bate references without saying his name. Bravo slowly went up top, so Evans jumped to the top and hit a Spanish Flay off the top. Evans jumped off the top and hit the OG Cutter for the pinfall win after 6 minutes. That is Evans’ first win as an official member of the Raw roster.

Winner by pinfall: Je’Von Evans

Analysis: *** It’s always fun to watch Evans in action. This was an entertaining match with Bravo getting some offense in the match, but it was all about giving Evans a win as a new member of the Raw roster. Evans is so talented and hit his big moves to get the easy win as you would expect here. The OG Cutter is outstanding. As I have said in the past, I’d rather see Rayo and Bravo as Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate instead of doing these comedy Americano gimmicks.

After the match, Evans was attacked by the Americanos. Grande tossed Evans over the commentary table. Evans went up to the barricade and jumped over Grand to avoid another attack. Evans went into the ring and out the other side to avoid being attacked again.

Analysis: It may lead to Evans against Grande, which Evans should win.

Raw GM Adam Pearce spoke to Paul Heyman backstage. Pearce told Heyman to tell Bron Breakker to go home if he comes here with bad intentions. Heyman said he’ll let him know if he shows up with bad intentions.

The World Heavyweight Champion, CM Punk, was shown walking backstage and is up next.

Jey Uso made his entrance in the crowd without Jimmy Uso. This was during the break for some fans. Jey did some Yeeting with the fans is “Uce-eldorf” – that’s what he said. Jey said it was just a warning shot for the other tag teams in WWE. Jey called for his music to play again and that was it.

Analysis: It was a way to kill about three minutes, which is a break for some fans. Simple as that.

Let’s Hear from CM Punk

The World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk made his entrance and got a big ovation from the fans. They chanted his name a lot. Punk said they are on the road to WrestleMania and anything can happen, and you can ask his friend Cody Rhodes. Punk said he plans on being World Champion forever, but it doesn’t mean it’s gonna happen. Punk said with the fans behind him, he feels like he can do the impossible. Punk mentioned the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber are two opportunities for guys to take this title from him. Punk said that the Road to WrestleMania goes through him. Punk told the fans he’s looking forward to finding out who his next challenger is going to be.

Finn Balor made his entrance with the letters “FNBLR” on his Titantron video, and he slowly walked down to the ring.

Finn Balor said that he’s not waiting for the Royal Rumble or Elimination Chamber and he’s not asking for a handout. Balor said that Punk mentioned his name as somebody he wanted to face. Punk said you are right, but that was two months ago, so where have you been? Punk said that Punk is back there playing video games, trying to help others and sometimes he’s shining Liv Morgan’s shoes. Punk said that if he wrestles Finn Balor, he wants to know if he’s wrestling Finn or Finn and the Judgment Day. Punk said Balor is impressive and talented, and Punk is a fan of his. Punk said he’s going to be a fighting champion. Punk said he’s going to prove he’s a fighting champion because he’s going to go to the back, put his boots on and they are going to do this tonight.

Balor said that he knows that timing is everything. Balor said that he is not jumping the line to face him. Balor said that anyone who has watched his career knows that the line starts here. Balor said you don’t have to worry about Dom or JD because he won’t be alone. Balor said he’s watched Punk’s career take home field advantage in Chicago. Balor said that next week, Raw is going to be in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and there’s going to be a new Irish World Champion. Punk apologized to the fans in Dusseldorf to not having the match tonight. Punk said he’ll apologize to the fans in Belfast because Punk will beat him with the GTS and stand on his chest, still as the World Champion. Punk celebrated to end it.

Analysis: I liked that promo exchange to set up a fresh matchup. Balor hasn’t had a lot of success as a singles wrestler in recent weeks or months, but he is a former Universal Champion and somebody that people want to see featured more. I would have had Balor win a singles match or two over the last month to set this up and have it make more sense. Let’s reward winning more. Doing Punk against Balor in Belfast next week is a great idea. I don’t expect Balor to win, but perhaps there is a controversial finish of some kind to set up another match between them at the Royal Rumble.

A video package aired about the AJ Styles-Gunther match coming up in the main event.

The triple threat match was next as the Kabuki Warriors made their entrance. The show went on a break for some fans. The other teams made their entrance.

Kabuki Warriors – Asuka & Kairi Sane vs. The Judgment Day – Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria

The winners are the #1 Contenders for the Women’s Tag Team Titles. The winners will challenge Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky for the Women’s Tag Team Titles at Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 24th, which Michael Cole announced. Three women are legal in the match while their partners are on the apron.

Bayley was greeted with the “Hey Bayley” song that usually happens when she’s in Europe. Bayley, Asuka and Liv faced off with pin attempts by all three. Bayley hit a shoulder tackle, but Liv came back with a jumping knee. Asuka hit a clothesline/bulldog combo for two. The teammates tagged in as Lyra, Sane and Perez tagged in. Lyra got some offense going with a sweep kick and a dropkick. Sane did a headscissors/arm drag combo. Sane hit a running clothesline on Perez and Lyra rolled up Sane for two. Lyra hit a Northern Lights suplex for two. Lyra hit a running dropkick on Perez on the floor. Liv kicked Lyra to the floor. Five women were fighting on the floor, so Sane went up top and Sane hit an Insane Elbow on her four opponents while Asuka celebrated. The show went on a break for three minutes for some fans and I’ll take a break too.

The match continued with Lyra and Sane making tags while Perez failed to tag out. Lyra kicked Liv out of the ring and a spin kick on Sane. Lyra hit a jumping kick on Perez for two. Lyra tackled Sane into the turnbuckle. Bayley hit a belly to back suplex on Asuka. There were five women by the turnbuckle leading to a Tower of Doom spot with Liv and Perez doing the Powerbomb part of it. The fans cheered and chanted, “This is awesome” for the match. Asuka hit two German Suplexes. Asuka hit a double German Suplex on Asuka and Lyra at the same time. Why wouldn’t Bayley just let go? Because pro wrestling is silly sometimes. Sane went up top and hit an Insane Elbow. Sane made a cover, but the referee Shawn Bennett said there was no tag. Liv broke up the pin anyway. They went into the typical sequence of women hitting moves and bumping to the floor. Lyra gave Sane a backbreaker, and Bayley hit a top rope elbow for two because Asuka broke up the pin. Lyra hit a slingshot dive over the top on the floor. Perez hit Pop Rox on Bayley for two because Sane broke it up. Liv made a blind tag, Sane sent out Perez by the ropes and Liv hit Oblivion off the ropes on Sane for the pinfall win. It went about 12 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Judgment Day – Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez

Analysis: ***1/4 It was a very good, fast paced match with a lot of nearfalls for each team, so that made it exciting to watch. I figured Morgan and Perez would win since they are a heel team that makes logical sense as Rhea and Iyo’s next opponent. They set up the finish well with Liv making the blind tag, Sane tossed Perez from the ring and Sane stood right by the ropes to set up Liv hitting Oblivion to win the match.

The win by Morgan & Perez means they will challenge Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky for the Women’s Tag Team Titles at Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 24th.

Becky Lynch, the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Did a promo talking over highlights of her issues with Maxxine Dupri. Lynch complained about Maxxine Dupri getting a title rematch. Lynch said the rematch would be in Belfast, North Ireland next week on Raw and Lynch will keep her title.

A trailer video aired about WWE Unreal Season 2 on Netflix, starting on January 20th.

AJ Styles was shown getting ready for his main event match against Gunther.

Je’Von Evans was interviewed by Byron Saxton by the entrance area. This was during a break. Evans said that it has been crazy and it’s first W as an official Raw superstar. Evans mentioned it was his first time in Europe. The fans were singing something as he continued. Evans said it’s a blessing to join Raw. Evans said he’s working, he’s not going to let you down, he’s not going to let Netflix down, he’s not going to let Byron down. Evans said every Monday night we’ll find out that boy is bouncy.

Analysis: Like I say all the time, Je’Von Evans is so easy to like. The in-ring style is amazing, and when you add in his personality, he has all the tools to be a huge success in WWE.

Maxxine Dupri was interviewed by Jackie Redmond, and Dupri was joined by Otis and Akira Tozawa. Dupri talked about how she was the champion because she believed in herself. Dupri told Otis and Tozawa to believe in themselves so that they can accomplish anything too. Dupri said she’ll break Lynch’s ankle.

Raquel Rodriguez Interview

Raquel Rodriguez was interviewed by Michael Cole by the entrance area. I’m not sure why they put Cole there instead of Jackie or Byron, but there he was. Raquel was asked why she attacked Stephaine Vaquer last week. Raquel said she has changed from the person that Cole knew when she started in WWE. Raquel said people change. Raquel said that she will not stop until she has Vaquer one-on-one in that ring. Raquel said when “Big Sexy” Raquel Rodriguez gets her in that ring, you can all feel sorry for when Raquel is done with her. Stephanie Vaquer walked out with the Women’s World Title around her waist. Vaquer had her left foot in a boot again. There were WWE Officials there to stop the fight. It looked like Raquel was leaving, so Vaquer told Raquel to come and get it. Raquel cheap shotted Vaquer from behind. Raquel used the Women’s World Title and hit Vaquer’s left leg with it. Vaquer was in pain on the floor.

Analysis: The cheap attacks by Raquel Rodriguez continue on Stephanie Vaquer to build that rivalry. When Vaquer is able to wrestle again, it wouldn’t shock me if she lost the title. Raquel hasn’t been a singles champion on the main roster yet.

Stephanie Vaquer was helped to the back by WWE Officials and the medical team, consisting of indy wrestlers.

The Vision’s Bronson Reed & Austin Theory entered for tag team action. This was during the break.

They showed Drew McIntyre with the WWE Title in Glasgow, Scotland, after he won the title on SmackDown last week.

Jey Uso was in the locker room when Otis and Akira Tozawa walked in. Otis wondered if Jey would give them a tag team match. Jey said they are boys, but he was talking about giving the work to other teams. Otis said that they are serious. Jey told Otis that The Usos are the best tag team in the game and asked if they understood. Tozawa said, “Yeet” to end it.

Analysis: I assume that’s a non-title match, but they didn’t specify.

The Vision – Bronson Reed & Austin Theory (w/Logan Paul & Paul Heyman) vs. Penta & Dragon Lee

Penta ran the ropes and hit a hurricanrana on Theory. The fans were swearing at Logan. Penta hit a Slingblade on Theory, but Theory came back with a boot to the face. Reed tagged in, Penta broke free and Lee tagged in. Penta and Lee each worked over Reed with kicks, followed by Lee’s handstand kick to Reed’s face. Lee sent Reed into the turnbuckle and Lee tried a leap off the top, but Reed caught him. Reed slammed Lee into the mat. Reed slammed Lee ribs first across the top turnbuckle. Theory hit Lee with a forearm smash. The show went on a break for three minutes and I’ll take a break too.

It was The Vision in control as Theory hit a dropkick. Wade talked about how Logan Paul is full-time in WWE now, which we learned about over the last week. Reed was back in, Lee tried to break free with a kick, but Reed hit a clothesline. Lee countered a Reed lift with a DDT. Penta got the hot tag against Theory and hit a Backstabber with double knees to the back for two. Penta kicked Theory and Lee was back in for a double superkick. Penta and Lee hit double superkicks on Reed and Logan as well. Lee jumped over the top with a somersault dive onto Logan and Theory. Bron Breakker showed up with a Spear on Lee at ringside. The referee called for the bell for the DQ finish. It went about 8 minutes.

Winners by disqualification: Penta & Dragon Lee

Analysis: **1/4 It was a solid match for the time given, but this was booked to put over Bron Breakker as a madman after he lost to CM Punk last week. I figured that Penta and Lee would lose. Instead, it’s a DQ win for them, so at least it’s a win. They can probably do this match again in the future.

After the match, Bron went into the ring, ducked Penta, and ran the ropes and hit a Spear on Penta in the ring. Adam Pearce showed up at ringside to tell Bron it’s not happening tonight. While that was happening. Reed jumped off the top with a Tsunami on Penta. Lee went into the ring, so Bron hit a Spear on Lee. Pearce got in Bron’s face telling him he was tired of this. Bron grabbed a hold of Pearce and the rest of The Vision held Bron back. Heyman apologized to Pearce. The fans were chanting “Spear,” I think. The Vision left and so did Pearce as they went up the aisle together. Heyman and Logan tried to reason with Pearce.

Analysis: I thought Breakker would hit a Spear on Pearce there, but it didn’t get to that point. I like how they are booking Breakker as a madman, like how Scott Steiner was booked as a singles, main event heel. It feels a lot like Scott Steiner and that’s a good thing because Scott was so good in that role. I assume that Breakker hitting a Spear on Pearce, a former wrestler, is coming soon.

The show went to a break for some fans as Pearce and The Vision went backstage. They showed a replay of Bron Breakker running from the aisle to hit a Spear on Lee.

A WrestleMania 42 commercial aired promoting Liv Morgan.

There were replays of the chaos caused by Bron Breakker and The Vision before the break.

Penta and Dragon Lee were getting checked on by the medical team. Je’Von Evans walked up to them to say that they should let him know if they ever need him.

Bron Breakker was shown walking down a hallway. Adam Pearce told Bron that he is suspended indefinitely. Bronson Reed pulled Breakker away. Paul Heyman told Pearce that was a very big mistake. Pearce said it was a mistake by Bron. Heyman said that it was a mistake from Pearce because, from his vantage point, Pearce put his hands on Breakker first. The announcers said that Heyman had a point.

Analysis: There’s the suspension for Bron Breakker as you would expect. Nice counter by Paul Heyman saying that Pearce touched Breakker first, so that’s going to lead to the suspension being lifted most likely.

A video aired featuring Triple H getting messages from celebrities wanting to be involved in WrestleMania 42. Triple H was not impressed and said it’s gonna be a long road to WrestleMania. At the end there was a message: “Also, please stop emailing Paul, and texting him.”

Analysis: People who don’t like Triple H being in the spotlight will complain about stuff like this because he makes it about himself. I don’t mind it.

Next week on Raw in Belfast:

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

* World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk vs. Finn Balor

A video package aired for the former 2-time NXT Champion Oba Femi. It was a video about Femi beating people up. They showed that Femi left the NXT Title in the ring on Raw and he gets ready for Raw or SmackDown. Find out more about the NXT Title on NXT this Tuesday.

Analysis: I think Oba Femi will join Raw as has been rumored. I think they might wait until the Royal Rumble for his official main roster debut, but if they did it before that then that’s cool too.

The former 2-time WWE World Champion, AJ Styles, made his entrance for the main event. They went on a break for some fans.

There was another WrestleMania 42 commercial, this time with Charlotte Flair speaking.

Gunther was interviewed backstage by Jackie Redmond before his match. Gunther talked about how disrespectful it was for AJ Styles to slap him. Gunther reminded us that he made John Cena tap out like a little bitch. Gunther said that AJ shouldn’t worry about respect, he should worry about what happens after the bell rings.

The former 2-time World Champion “The Ring General” Gunther made his entrance. Gunther is from Australia, but he spent a lot of time in Germany and lived there, so he has a lot of fans in Germany still. Ring announcer Alicia Taylor did the in-ring main event introductions.

AJ Styles vs. Gunther

Styles kicked Gunther hard in the leg and Gunther bailed to the floor. They locked up, Gunther slipped out and Styles kicked Gunther in the back of the left leg again. The fans were chanting for both guys. Styles kicked Gunther in the leg again and hit a dropkick, so Gunther bailed to the floor. Styles did a slingshot attack over the top onto Gunther on the floor. After Styles broke the referee’s count, Gunther picked up Styles and Gunther hit a belly-to-back slam onto the apron. Styles kicked Gunther and hit a sliding knee to the head. Back in the ring, Styles tried more kicks to the leg, but Gunther came back with a clothesline. Styles worked over Gunther with chops. Styles went to the turnbuckle, so Gunther chopped him to knock Styles down to the floor. Great bump. They went on a break for some fans as the action continued. Gunther kicked Styles off the apron to the floor. Gunther hit a back body drop. Styles kicked Gunther in the left leg two times and Gunther hit a chop to the chest. Gunther sent Styles crashing sternum-first into the turnbuckle. Gunther chopped Styles to knock him down again.

Gunther remained in control with an arm-wringer leading into two chops. Styles came back with strikes and a clothesline, but Gunther bounced off the ropes with a clothesline of his own. The fans chanted for both of them again. Gunther mocked John Cena, so Styles hit a dropkick to the knee and a forearm. Styles hit a dragon screw leg whip three times. Styles ducked a clothesline and hit a Pele Kick to the head. Styles applied a Calf Crusher submission, but Gunther was able to grab the bottom rope to break the hold. Styles tried a move off the apron, he slipped (may have been intentional) and Gunther hit a chop to stop him on the ropes. While on the apron, Styles kicked the left knee again. Styles hit a springboard 450 leg drop on Gunther’s left knee. That was great. Gunther went for a Phenomenal Forearm off the ropes, but Gunther countered it with a Sleeper. Styles countered it into a pin attempt for two. Gunther came back with a clothesline and a Powerbomb for two. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for them. Gunther slapped Styles in the face two times. Gunther chopped Styles. Styles tripped up Gunther and applied the Calf Crusher submission on the left leg again. Gunther slammed AJ’s head into the mat three times to break the hold. Gunther hit a dropkick. Styles fought back and applied a Calf Crusher submission again. Gunther was near the ropes, so Gunther applied the Calf Crusher in the middle of the ring. Styles said he felt Gunther tap, but the referee, Rod Zapata, didn’t agree. The referee said to Alicia Taylor that the match will continue. While he did that, Gunther hit a low blow uppercut. The referee never saw it. Gunther hit a Powerbomb and leaned forward for the pin after 18 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Gunther

Analysis: **** A great, 4-star match by two of the best veteran wrestlers in WWE. It was very even most of the way and had a finish that was controversial because of what they showed on the replay after the match. Gunther winning was the result I expected because he’s on a roll, and Styles is retiring this year, so having Styles lose made a lot of sense. With that said, they could have done a finish with Styles winning to set up a rematch, but they ended up doing the opposite, which also works fine to set up a rematch. They got plenty of time, lots of counter moves, and Styles was relentless with the Calf Crusher, but Gunther was able to get the cheap win.

When they showed the replay, it was clear that Gunther tapped out with his left hand on AJ’s left side. The referee, Rod Zapata, was on the other side. Barrett said that incredible because Gunther outsmarted Styles.

Gunther left the ring and even watched the replay. AJ Styles was frustrated in the ring. Gunther said he was the greatest (wrestler) in this company. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: That is a brilliant finish. Styles was right to say that Gunther tapped out, but we couldn’t see it on the live broadcast. There will likely be a rematch coming with Styles pushing for it, Gunther being hesitant about wanting a rematch, and then we’ll get it, perhaps at WrestleMania or some other major show down the road.

This week’s Raw had a runtime of 2 hours and 22 minutes on Netflix. That has been around the norm for the last few weeks.

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Three Stars of the Show

  1. Gunther
  2. AJ Styles
  3. Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez

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The Scoreboard

7.25 out of 10

Last week: 7.75

2026 Average: 7.5

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Final Thoughts on WWE Raw

A pretty good show overall, but not at the level of last week’s loaded episode of Raw. The Gunther/Styles match lived up to the hype as great, PLE-quality main event match. I liked the creativity behind that controversial finish with Gunther tapping out, but the referee didn’t see it. We saw it on the replay, though, so it was a smart way to do it because it puts over Gunther for finding a way to win.

They set up some matches for next week with CM Punk facing Finn Balor and Becky Lynch against Maxxine Dupri again. They are doing a nice job of building week to week.

I find it strange that the Royal Rumble is less than three weeks away, yet there aren’t any wrestlers doing promos about how they are going to be in the Rumble match and they are going to win. I understand that WWE knows that fans are well away of the Rumble coming up and they might not think we need those promos. To me, though, you need to put over how important it is to win the Royal Rumble. You need to sell it to the fans. You can’t just assume that every fan knows. Sell us on the Rumble being a big deal. That’s all I’m saying.

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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