Quick Read
- CM Punk retained the World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker.
- Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky won the Women’s Tag Team Championship.
- Becky Lynch captured the Intercontinental Championship from Maxxine Dupri.
The first WWE Raw of 2026 at Barclays Center was anything but routine. From electrifying title matches to dramatic storylines, the show carved the next chapter on the road to the Royal Rumble. With championship gold changing hands and rivalries intensifying, the January 5 broadcast stood out for its decisive moments and crowd reactions.
Championship Shakeups Define the Night
Raw opened with a fierce contest for the Women’s Tag Team Championship. Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky dethroned The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) in a match that set the tone for the entire evening. This early title change signaled WWE’s intent to spotlight the women’s division, with both teams delivering crisp action and high drama.
Later, the Intercontinental Championship found a new holder as Becky Lynch overcame Maxxine Dupri. The finish was dramatic: Lynch scored a pin while locked in Dupri’s ankle hold, a moment that underscored her resilience and tactical prowess. The shift in titles came as a surprise to many, amplifying the unpredictability of the night.
In the main event, CM Punk successfully defended his World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker. The match was a showcase of athleticism and ring psychology, with Breakker dominating early, executing a high-risk dive onto Punk through the announcers’ table. The Vision attempted to interfere, but Rey Mysterio, Penta, and Dragon Lee intervened to restore order. Near-falls and submission exchanges followed, including Punk’s STF—a nod to John Cena—and Breakker’s armbar attempt. The climax arrived when Breakker missed a spear, allowing Punk to land the Go To Sleep (GTS) for the win. Despite the loss, Breakker was named MVP of the Night, a recognition of his performance and growing stature in WWE.
Women’s Division: Center Stage and Controversy
This Raw was notable for its emphasis on the women’s division. Liv Morgan claimed victory over Lyra Valkyria, with outside interference from Bayley and Roxanne Perez adding layers to ongoing rivalries. Becky Lynch’s championship win was a highlight, but controversy followed as Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer was attacked backstage by Raquel Rodriguez, who targeted her ankle. WWE official Adam Pearce fined Rodriguez for her actions, signaling that the company is taking such altercations seriously as it builds toward bigger matches.
The spotlight on women’s wrestling reflected WWE’s evolving priorities, with multiple storylines converging ahead of the Royal Rumble. The matches and backstage segments illustrated the division’s depth and the variety of personalities driving it forward.
Main Event Drama: CM Punk vs. Bron Breakker
The main event was billed as a test for both champion and challenger. Breakker’s athleticism and power were on full display, including a top-rope dive that flattened Punk and the announcers’ table. The Vision’s interference brought chaos, but the timely intervention by Rey Mysterio, Penta, and Dragon Lee kept the match alive. Submission battles, missed high spots—including Breakker’s failed Frankensteiner—and a climactic exchange of finishing moves kept the crowd engaged until the final bell.
Punk’s victory via GTS was hard-fought, and while the champion retained, Breakker’s effort earned him accolades. The match received a crowd score of 4.25/5, reflecting fans’ appreciation for the intensity and storytelling. The bout also referenced Punk’s previous encounters with larger opponents like Gunther, providing historical context for his approach and resilience.
Beyond the Ring: Usos, Gunther, and Pop Culture Crossovers
The night wasn’t only about matches. The Usos issued a stern warning to WWE’s tag teams, building anticipation for future confrontations. Their recent victory over Dragon Lee and AJ Styles added credibility to their threat. Gunther, greeted by boos, wore a shirt depicting him choking out John Cena—an image that stoked tension and set up a verbal clash with AJ Styles. This segment laid groundwork for next week’s Raw, where Gunther will face Styles in Germany.
Adding a pop culture twist, Raw featured crossover segments promoting Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” Reactions were mixed, but the integration of outside media showed WWE’s continued drive to blend sports entertainment with mainstream trends.
Looking ahead, WWE confirmed that the next Raw will air from Germany, with an earlier start time and a marquee match: Gunther vs. AJ Styles. The January 5 episode built momentum for the Royal Rumble, with multiple storylines converging and championship landscapes shifting.
Based strictly on the facts, WWE Raw’s January 5, 2026 edition delivered impactful title changes, advanced key rivalries, and set the stage for major pay-per-view developments. The event’s focus on athleticism and evolving storylines demonstrates WWE’s commitment to refreshing its product and engaging its audience ahead of the Royal Rumble.