The first episode of WWE RAW in 2026 kicked off the new year with a spectacular, themed event straight from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Celebrating the one-year anniversary of RAW's move to Netflix, the show adopted a popular 'Stranger Things' theme, delivering an upside-down night of chaos that featured two major championship changes and a blockbuster main event.
New Champions Crowned in Thrilling Opening Bout
The night's action began with a high-stakes match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships. The reigning champions, the team of Asuka and Kairi Sane, were challenged by the formidable duo of Rhea Ripley and IYO Sky. The contest was a classic, back-and-forth tag team battle with both sides showcasing their signature moves. The climax saw Ripley and Sky execute a devastating combination: a moonsault followed by Ripley's finishing move, the Riptide, on Asuka. Simultaneously, Sky took out Kairi Sane with a suicide dive to the outside. This coordinated assault allowed Rhea Ripley to secure the pinfall, crowning herself and IYO Sky as the new WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
Title Changes and Returns Mark the Mid-Card
In a deeply personal rematch, Maxxine Dupri put her WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship on the line against Becky Lynch, the very woman she had defeated to win the title. Lynch, fueled by a desire for redemption, brought her full intensity to the fight. Dupri, however, proved her victory was no fluke, fighting valiantly as the underdog. In the final moments, she cleverly reversed a Powerbomb attempt into her ankle lock submission. Lynch managed to escape and, in a controversial finish, rolled up Dupri for a pin while subtly holding onto the ropes. This tactical move allowed Becky Lynch to reclaim the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship.
The night also marked the highly anticipated return of Liv Morgan to singles competition after a six-month absence. She faced the talented Lyra Valkyria in a closely contested match. Adding to the drama, both women had allies at ringside: Roxanne Perez for Morgan and Bayley for Valkyria. The action spilled outside as Perez and Bayley engaged in their own heated altercation, with Bayley eventually chasing Perez to the back. Seizing the opportunity, Liv Morgan hit Lyra Valkyria with her finishing maneuver, The Oblivion, to score a decisive victory in her comeback match.
CM Punk Overcomes The Vision to Retain World Title
The main event of the Stranger Things-themed RAW was a colossal showdown for the World Heavyweight Championship. The champion, CM Punk, defended his gold against the relentless and powerful rising star, Bron Breakker. Breakker, backed by his faction The Vision and the shrewd Paul Heyman, brought a fierce fight to the veteran Punk. The match was a brutal affair with Breakker using his raw power to dominate at times. Punk, however, demonstrated his resilience and experience. He received crucial backup from Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, and Penta El Zero Miedo, who helped neutralize the interference from Breakker's allies. In the end, as Bron Breakker charged for his signature spear, CM Punk expertly cut him off with a sharp knee to the face. He followed up by hoisting Breakker up and delivering a thunderous Go To Sleep (GTS) to score the pinfall victory. CM Punk successfully retained his World Heavyweight Championship, ending the first RAW of 2026 on a triumphant high note.
