New Year, New Champions?

Raw has seen stranger things happen, but could Bron Breakker take the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from CM Punk?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Kabuki Warriors VS Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky; Rhea & Iyo win and become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
• WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Maxxine Dupri VS Becky Lynch; Becky wins and becomes the new WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion.
• Liv Morgan w/ Roxanne Perez VS Lyra Valkyria w/ Bayley; Liv wins.
• WWE World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk VS Bron Breakker; Punk wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Raw enters the Upside-Down.

Tonight for both the Netflix Anniversary and the series finale of Stranger Things, Corey Graves & Michael Cole exit the WSQK van! Tonight is about nostalgia, if only Maggle had dressed in his denim. But for one night only, the hit series, Stranger Things, joins forces with the WWE! Maggle & Corey preview all the action for tonight, we’re not in Hawkins anymore! This is Brooklyn, and this is Monday Night Raw! Pyro goes off, and it’s showtime!

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Kabuki Warriors VS Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky!

The Empress of Tomorrow & Pirate Princess believe Mami is the reason the Genius of the Sky no longer respected Asuka-nee-san, but that’s because they have it all backwards. Now things have escalated to where these tag titles are the only way they can settle this! Will no one be ready for Asuka & Kairi Sane, even in the New Year? Or will #RheYo humble them once and for all?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who has it right!

The teams sort out, Iyo and Asuka start, and they fire off forearms! Iyo whips, Asuka reverses, but Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges! Iyo handsprings, Asuka dodges, but Iyo sweeps the legs! Iyo then runs to SHOTGUN Asuka outta the ring! Kairi runs up, Iyo TOSSES her out, and Rhea tags in! CANNONBALL to the floor! The fans fire up with #RheYo while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Rhea KICKS Asuka, reels her in, and suplexes. Asuka slips free, shoves Rhea, and POP-UP KNEES! Rhea tumbles out, Asuka runs up, but Rhea avoids the hip attack! Rhea drags Asuka to the apron but Asuka fights the lift. Asuka switches, but now Rhea fights the lift! Rhea ELBOWS Asuka away, then CANNONBALLS but misses as Kairi saves Asuka! Then the Kabuki Warriors THROW Rhea into barriers! The fans boo but the Kabuki Warriors soak up the heat. Kairi & Asuka stand on Rhea, then drag her up. Asuka puts Rhea in the ring, she tags Kairi, and she KICKS Rhea. Kairi climbs, Asuka stands Rhea up and whips her into a BOOT!

Kairi then has Rhea for a HANGING HEADSCISSOR! The ref counts, Kairi stops at 4, and Kairi goes back up the corner. FLYING KABUKI ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Rhea is tougher than that, but Kairi CLUBS away on Rhea. Kairi brings Rhea over, tags Asuka, and they mug Rhea. The ref keeps Iyo back while Kabuki Warriors whip, KICK, AX KICK, and BULLDOG to a basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Asuka pushes Rhea around, slaps her around, but Rhea hits back. Asuka SLAPS Rhea, but Rhea SLAPS Asuka! Asuka KICKS Rhea, then tags Kairi. Kairi goes up again, but Rhea HEADBUTTS Asuka away!

Kairi still leaps, but Rhea catches her! FALL AWAY SLAM! Rhea crawls, hot tag to Iyo! Asuka tags in, but Iyo SHOTEIS! SHOTEI again! Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges to SLINGBLADE Asuka! Shoutout to The Ace, then Iyo dodges Kairi, goes up and out, then ducks a haymaker! HOTSHOT on Kairi’s arm! Iyo goes up, up, and DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICKS the Kabuki Warriors! Iyo handsprings and the fans fire up again! Iyo runs in at Asuka, SHINKAN- NO, Asuka puts her on the apron! Asuka ROCKS Iyo, then pulls hair! Iyo HOTSHOTS Asuka first! Asuka staggers, but Kairi anchors Iyo! Kairi has Iyo stuck on the ropes and Asuka KICKS!

Tag to Kairi, she goes up, and DOUBLE STOMP! Iyo flops down hard and Kairi covers, TWO! Kairi CLUBS away on Iyo, keeps Iyo down, and Raw goes back to break.

Raw returns again and Kairi has Iyo in the ANCHOR HOLD! Iyo endures, even as Kairi leans way back! But Iyo just pops out the back and DOUBLE STOMPS Kairi down! The fans fire up while both women crawl, hot tag to Rhea! Rhea LARIATS Kairi! And LARIATS again! She ducks a backhand to mule kick, cravat SMASH, and- NO, Kairi dodges to go up and up, but Rhea blocks the rana to BOOT Kairi! FACEBUSTER! Basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rhea, she BOOTS Asuka down, and she goes back to Kairi. Rhea drags Kairi up, reels her in, and Canadian Racks! Iyo tags in and goes up!

RAZOR’S EDGE for a hard landing, and then Iyo adds a MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kairi survives and the fans can’t believe it! The fans blame the ref for that, but Iyo tags Rhea back in. Rhea pump handles, RIPTIDE and OVER- NO, Asuka SHOVES Rhea into Iyo! Iyo tumbles, Asuka CODE BREAKERS! Asuka hurries back out, Kairi crawls to a cover, TWO!! Rhea survives and the fans fire up again! The fans rally up, but Asuka tags in and SLIDING KICKS! Cover, TWO! Asuka stands Rhea up to URAKEN, SOBAT, KICK, HAYMAKER, and MULE KICK! Asuka runs, EDDY GORDO KICK caught to an ANKLE LOCK!

Rhea fights up, but into a LEG TRAP GERMAN! Asuka runs, Kairi tags in, WHEEL KICK and SLIDING D KICK COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Rhea survives again and the fans rally up! Asuka hurries to her corner, Kairi tags her in, and Asuka drags Rhea up. Kairi climbs while Asuka dragon sleepers, IN-SANE D D T!! Cover, IYO BREAKS IT! The fans fire up again and Kairi is shocked! Kairi swings on Iyo, but Iyo ducks the uraken to GERMAN SUPLEX! Rhea crawls, hot tag to Iyo! The fans fire up and Iyo brings Asuka around, only for Asuka to cradle her! TWO, and Asuka hooks Iyo to a backslide, TWO! Iyo is up, ducks the buzzsaw, but Asuka switches.

Iyo wheelbarrows, STOMP 182! The fans fire up as Iyo runs in, SHINKANSEN on the ropes! Iyo calls to Rhea, Rhea tags in! Rhea hooks Asuka up, RIPTIDE!! OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Then Iyo DIVES onto Kairi! Rhea covers Asuka, RHEA & IYO WIN!!

Winners: Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)

New Year, New Champions: CHECK! Mami & The Genius figure out the solution to the Kabuki Warrior problem, and now they reign together! But this is just the beginning, will they have it out with Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss after this? Or will it be Nia Jax & Lash Legend chasing them down?

Adam Pearce meets Rhea & Iyo backstage.

The Raw General Manager congratulates the new champions, that was a hell of a way to start the new year! They shake hands, they thank him, and the champs head out. Pearce has no idea what this Demogorgon thing is, but then he encounters Gunther. Pearce asks Der Ring General to consider what he’s going to say out there. It is a big night, the first Raw of 2026, the Netflix Anniversary, there are a ton of eyes on the show, and therefore a ton of eyes on him. Pearce knows Gunther beat John Cena, no one can take that away from him. But everyone has seen how Gunther has acted since, both the disrespect and how much he enjoys it.

So please, it is a huge night, get it all off your chest, but mix in some respect. It goes a long way. Gunther laughs that off before going to gorilla. Brooklyn is torn as Gunther makes his entrance, and then boo as Gunther shows off his new merchandise: A T-shirt with him choking out John Cena, with the caption “TAP LIKE A…” So much for mixing in respect… But what will Gunther have to say next? We find out, after the break.

Raw returns and Gunther has the mic. The fans boo, but Gunther smiles and laughs. Gunther says he has been asked by management to show some respect. The fans still chant “You Tapped Out!” in reference to WrestleMania 41, but Gunther says where is the respect for him? Where is the respect for the man who made John Cena do the one thing he said he’d never do? Respect for the man who made John Cena tap out, like a little… WAIT! AJ STYLES is here! The fans cheer as The Phenomenal One goes right to the ring! Styles steps right to Gunther, mic in hand, and Gunther says if Styles is here to talk about respect, he is punching above his weight.

Gunther interrupts Styles again to say that they both know Gunther is the greatest wrestler in this company right now, and that includes Styles. Styles tries to talk but Gunther says, “Because I’m the man…! that made John Cena tap out, like a little… you know what, AJ.” Styles tries to talk again but Gunther out and says, “LIKE A LITTLE B*TCH! So that leaves us with one question: What is lil’ AJ gonna do about it?” Gunther does the You Can’t See Me, so Styles SLAPS him! The fans fire up, Styles and Gunther get face to face but Styles dares Gunther to do something now! The fans cheer for Styles, but Gunther does nothing. Styles says that’s what he thought!

Styles throws his mic down at Gunther, and Gunther frowns as Styles steps out. Tensions are running high, but will  The Phenomenal One humble Der Ring General once and for all?

Adam Pearce argues with Ivy Nile.

The Raw GM says he has been listening and he heard her loud and clear. Just calm down. Ivy doesn’t care who wins tonight, she is not going to the back of the line! Make something happen! Pearce says until we see who wins tonight, it doesn’t matter! They gotta get through tonight to get to the other side, surely she understands that. Just wait until the end of tonight. Ivy says she is NOT going to the back of the line. She leaves, Gunther storms in, and he says he wants AJ Styles! But Styles is right here and says what’s the matter? Gunther gonna cry and complain now? C’mon then, Styles VS Gunther, 1v1! Is Gunther gonna complain? Or just stand there like a little b*tch!

Gunther says fine! Next week, him and Styles! Gunther storms off, Styles says he’ll take Gunther’s head off. Pearce says it is official! Styles VS Gunther in Germany, will the Euro Tour be phenomenal?

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Maxxine Dupri VS Becky Lynch!

The Dungeon Doll said she’d gladly humble #BigTimeBecks again, so here we are! Will no one stop Maxxine now that she’s unlocked her fighting spirit? Or will The Man find a way to hold Maxxine down again?

Raw returns and Maxxine makes her entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really the best women’s wrestler today!

The bell rings and the fans rally as these two stare down. They circle, feel things out, and they tie up. Becky wrenches an arm, Maxxine goes around and goes to the ROPEBREAK! Becky lets go but she already promises to be champ again. Becky eggs Maxxine on, Maxxine shakes out the arm, and the two circle. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Maxxine hooks a leg to roll Becky! ANKLE LOCK, but Becky has the ROPEBREAK! Maxxine lets go and the fans cheer. Maxxine and Becky reset again, tie up, and Becky waistlocks. Maxxine switches, Becky switches, repeat. They go around and around, end up in a corner, and the ref counts.

Becky and Maxxine let go slowly, but then Becky mule kicks! The fans boo but Becky ROCKS Maxxine. Becky talks trash, whips, but Maxxine reverses to THESZ PRESS! Maxxine rains down fast hands but Becky gets free. Becky bails out, Maxxine pursues, PENALTY- NO, Becky blocks to SWING the leg! But Maxxine cartwheels through! Maxxine leaps over, lands on her feet, and she BOOTS Becky down! The fans fire up with Maxxine while Raw goes back to break.

Raw returns again and Becky has Maxxine down! Maxxine fights up to a stack, TWO! Maxxine KNEES Becky down, and both women are down again! The fireflies are out while both women stir. Becky and Maxxine crawl, rise up, and Becky winds up to fire a forearm! Maxxine fires back! Becky fires back, Maxxine fires again, but Becky fires a flurry! Maxxine shouts, “AGAIN!” Becky swings, Maxxine dodges, and she LARIATS! And LARIATS! And LARIATS again! Maxxine tells Becky to get up, then she SPLASHES int he corner! FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Maxxine kips up real smooth and the fans cheer. The straps come down as Maxxine fires up!

Maxxine runs the ropes, KNEES Becky again, and then hooks her up, BACKSLIDE BOMB! Becky staggers and Maxxine LEG LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Maxxine goes to a corner, she climbs up, and CROSS- NO, she has to roll through as Becky dodges! Becky bocks the leg lariat, but Maxxine uses it to leg scissor takedown! TWO, into an ANKLE LOCK! Becky crawls, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Maxxine lets go, and then Becky YANKS her into ropes! Becky huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes up the corner, but Maxxine avoids the stomp! Maxxine rolls Becky, high stack, TWO! ANKLE LOCK!! Becky endures, flails, and rolls to THROW Maxxine down!

Becky has an arm, the DISARM-HER!! But Maxxine slips out to have the ANKLE LOCK!! Becky scrambles, rolls, and Maxxine ends up on the apron! Maxxine RAMS into Becky, goes up the corner again, but Becky ROCKS her! Becky hurries up but Maxxine fires hands! They brawl, Becky climbs, and she SUPERPLEXES! Then a roll through a la Rollins for a DDT! Cover, TWO! Maxxine survives and the fans duel. Becky waits on Maxxine, drags her up, and clinches, only for Maxxine to fight it. Becky fires knee after knee, then MAN- NO, Maxxine slips free! Becky dodges the boot, and ANGLE SLAMS! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally as Maxxine survives. Becky grabs a leg, and she puts on the ANKLE LOCK! Maxxine flails, reaches out, and she rolls to send Becky into buckles! Then GERMAN SUPLEX! Maxxine fires up, goes back up the corner, and she aims again, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives and Maxxine is shocked! Becky goes to the apron, Maxxine storms up, but Becky HOTSHOTS her away! Becky climbs up now, but Maxxine ROCKS her! Maxxine climbs, but Becky fires hands! The two brawl up top, and Becky slips underneath! Becky has Maxxine up, but Maxxine RANAS and ANKLE LOCKS! The fans fire up as Becky flails!

Becky hops, rolls, but Maxxine holds on! GRAPEVINE! But Becky uses the ropes in a bridging cover!! BECKY WINS!!

Winner: Becky Lynch, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion)

Maxxine is in disbelief! The Man held her down and took her gold! Will 2026 be all about the Big Time? And what of Ivy Nile wanting her shot?

Stephanie Vaquer heads to gorilla.

And she’s in a walking boot?! This doesn’t bode well for her. What will she have to say to the WWE Universe? We find out, after the break.

Adam Pearce brings Je’Von Evans out on stage!

The Raw GM tells The Young OG that he is without a doubt, one of the most exciting prospects to come through WWE! And he wanted to bring Je’Von out live and in front of everyone in Brooklyn to offer this to him: a contract with the flagship show of WWE! Sign the contract and join Monday Night Raw! Je’Von nods and takes the pen. Je’Von signs his name on the dotted line, and it is official! The fans cheer as Je’Von is the newest member of Monday Night Raw! Will Mondays start getting BOUNCY~?

The Usos are here!

Brooklyn fires up as they get to YEET with Jimmy & Jey, the NEW WWE World Tag Team Champions! The NINE-TIME champions go down the bleachers, but first they bounce with the fans. But wait, are we gonna run it back? The fans want it, The Usos say why not! The bouncing continues, and the Usos get the mics while still in the crowd. “I said the Usos are now in your citaaay~!” What’s up, Brooklyn? This is the very first Raw of the New Year, with the NEW WWE Tag Team Champions, Jimmy & Jey, the Usos, baybay! C’mon with it! AJ Styles, Dragon Lee, they appreciate that fight, that war.

But that was last week! That was last year! That was last week, and last year! Hey, but this year? This year is the Year of the Usos! 2026, this is the warning shot to every tag team in the game! POW! Run up and get done up! Standing right in front of you is THE BEST tag team in the game! Any team that wants some, they’ll be waitin’ right here. Until then, others spend cash, they make history. Usos synonymous with victory! You know where to find ’em! Until then, you know the rest: Four letters, one word, UH UH… USOS! The fans fire up and bounce around again! Who will be next to step up to #MainEventJey & #BigJim?

Jackie Redmond is in the ring.

She announces the Women’s World Champion for 108 days, La Primera, Stephanie Vaquer! The fans cheer as Vaquer makes her entrance, but that walking boot wasn’t an illusion. Vaquer still walks to the ring, and Jackie says what a 2025 for her. Vaquer defended the world title three times, including last week. But the question on our minds is: What now? Vaquer says 2025 was amazing. Four titles since her debut, then Evolution, Royal Rumble, the list is long. But the most important, her biggest dream, was that she became WWE Women’s World Champion! The fans cheer that, and Vaquer takes the mic.

Vaquer tells the fans thank you for believing in her. She also thanks her great opponents, Raquel Rodriguez & Nikki Bella, but they learned why she is La Primera. And as for this walking boot, it will not stop her. She wants more! She wants everyone! She will prove she is the best women’s wrestler in the world! The fans cheer for Vaquer again, but RAQUEL ATTACKS! The fans boo as Ricky Desperado shows no mercy to Vaquer! She rains down fists, then she SLAMS the bad leg! Vaquer writhes, but Raquel SLAMS that leg again! And again! The fans boo but Raquel taunts Vaquer in Espanol, before hoisting her up for a TEXANA BOMB!!

Raquel stands tall over Vaquer, but she’s still not done!? Raquel goes outside and grabs a chair! The fans boo, but here come refs! The refs try to stop Raquel but she chases them off! Raquel stomps Vaquer’s leg, then grabs the chair! She puts the chair around the walking boot, but now Pearce and producers get in there! They stop Raquel from breaking Vaquer’s already injured leg, and Raquel backs off. Raquel shrugs and smiles, but did she already make sure Vaquer can’t defend the title? Or will she simply face The Dark Angel’s wrath in the New Year?

Vaquer is helped backstage.

She insists she can walk but then Raquel runs up to CLOBBER her! And send her into road cases! Raquel steps right on the bad foot, then sits Vaquer up. Raquel tells her in Espanol that this is not over! Pearce shouts to stop or she will be fined until she has nothing left! Raquel says bye! Security hurries to help Vaquer, but is it too little, too late?

Rey Mysterio talks with Dragon Lee.

The King of Lucha knows The Boy Wonder is down after that tag title lose, but Rey assures him, he has come a long way. Rey knows that Dragon will be champion again. Dragon says yes, new year, new title, he’ll go talk with AJ Styles about a rematch. Then in steps Penta. They say hey, and that call last week, Penta answered because he has seen what The Vision has been doing. That is why Penta is back. Penta won’t let that jerk, Logan Paul, and that idiot, Austin Theory, do what they want to Rey, the greatest luchador. Rey thanks Penta for that, because he’s been dealing with those idiots for weeks now.

Rey knows Penta understands the tradition, honor, and respect of lucha libre. That is what The Vision wants to destroy. Penta says any time Rey needs him, he is there. CERO! MIEDO! Will The Vision have to watch themselves now that it isn’t just Rey they’re up against?

Liv Morgan w/ Roxanne Perez VS Lyra Valkyria w/ Bayley!

Judgment Day has already staked their claim to the top title with Raquel demolishing Vaquer, and now they want to take over the tag division once again. But The Morrigan & Role Model want their own shot, bringing us this match. Will Liv make #BayLyra cry about it? Or will Mondays no longer belong to The Judgment Day?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Liv headlocks, but Lyra powers up and out. Liv RUNS Lyra over, then swivels the hips. The fans cheer, things speed up, Lyra hurdles, but Liv blocks the hip toss. Lyra BODY BLOWS, backflips, then LARIATS! The fans rally, Lyra storms up to Liv, and whips her corner to corner. Liv reverses, Lyra goes up and over, then Lyra slides under. Lyra LEG SWEEPS, basement DROPKICKS, then she NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Lyra ENZIGIRIS Liv, Bayley taunts her, and the fans “WOO~!” as Lyra builds speed. Liv dodges the dropkick, then she KNEES Lyra at the apron!

Liv WRECKS Lyra with her own dropkick, then THROWS her into steel steps! The fans are torn but Liv smiles while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Liv wrenches Lyra, but Lyra wrenches back to motorcycle stretch, then SURFBOARD! Cover, TWO, so Lyra BOOTS Liv away! Liv flounders, Lyra runs up, they both dodge, and DOUBLE LARIATS take them both down! The fans rally up while Liv and Lyra slowly rise up. Liv fires a forearm, but Lyra fires back! Liv fires another forearm, but Lyra fires back! The fans rally as the shots keep going, Lyra gets the edge then runs, but Liv ROCKS her! Liv runs, but Lyra follows to ROCK Liv! Lyra runs, but Liv yanks her back! Lyra ELBOWS Liv, then runs again, but Liv runs up! Lyra avoids ObLivion just in time!

Lyra GERMAN SUPLEXES Liv and Bayley fires up! The fans rally, Lyra reels Liv in, TORNADO DDT! Roll through and Lyra fisherman BUSTERS! Bridging cover, TWO! Roxie coaches Liv but Lyra rises up. Lyra brings Liv up, fireman’s carries, but Liv fights with elbows! Liv then makes this a crucifix takedown, TWO! Lyra has the cover, TWO! Liv HAMMERS away on Lyra’s back! The fans rally, Liv brings Lyra around, and she HAMMERS Lyra more! But Lyra powers up to fireman’s carry! NIGHT- CODE BREAKER!! Cover, TWO!! Lyra survives but she’s clutching her face from that shot! Liv KICKS Lyra, KICKS again, then ENZI- NO, Lyra ducks!

Lyra SOBATS, KICKS, and RAMS Liv to KICK again! Lyra runs, but Roxie DUMPS her out! The fans are torn as Roxie scurries away. Bayley storms up on Roxie but the ref keeps her back. Bayley jukes the ref but Roxie SLAPS her! Roxie THROWS Bayley over barriers! Roxie grins, but Bayley rises up to grab Roxie’s hair! And she has a chair! Berserker Bayley chases Roxie into the ring! Then out of the ring and up the ramp! The fans cheer, but Lyra asks what’s going on. OBLIVION!! Cover, Liv wins!

Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall

Roxie may be running for her life, but she played her part! Liv gets her first win since coming back, will nothing stop her and Judgment Day from taking over 2026?

Backstage interview with CM Punk.

Jackie is now with the World Heavyweight Champion and says some believe that one Spear is all it’ll take to crown a new champion. How is Punk preparing for Bron and everything he has? Punk says everyone has an opinion. They’d rather talk about Punk, because if they talk about themselves, no one would pay attention. But Spear, 1-2-3, okay, whatever. That doesn’t matter to Punk. If he’s the underdog here, then that just means you underestimate him. You’ll end up taking a GTS and taking a nap. It could be anyone, but tonight, it’ll be Bron. Punk heads out, will he still be The Best in the World even in the New Year?

WWE World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk VS Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman!

There has been a lot of talk from both sides, so now it is time to put up or shut up! The Second City Saint is the Best in the World, so long as he has the title. Will he still be the best after tonight? Or will this Unpredictable Badass break through to that next level by breaking Punk?

Raw returns and the fans already chant for Punk. Punk makes his entrance, and the fans sing along with Cult of Personality! The fans also join in shouting, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who leads Raw into the New Year!

The bell rings and the fans continue to chant for Punk. The two circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. They break, then tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Punk headlocks, hits a takeover, but Bron headscissors. Punk kips free, headlocks again, then Punk wrenches to CLUB and YANK the arm. Punk keeps Bron from ropes, hammerlocks the arm, but Bron powers up to slip through and scoop. Punk slips free, wrenches and wrangles Bron, then keeps on the arm. Bron endures, fights up, and he kicks Punk low. Punk staggers away but Bron KNEES him against the ropes. Bron whips, Punk reverses, but Bron catches the hurdle for a POWERSLAM!

The fans bark for Bron while Punk writhes, and Bron seethes while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once again and Bron RUNS Punk over! Bron then rains down fists! Bron CHOKES Punk, the ref reprimands, but Bron stops. Bron whips Punk hard into a corner and Punk falls back. Bron drags Punk around, then works to turn him over, but Punk goes to ropes. Bron uses that to ROPE GUILLOTINE! Cover, ONE!! Punk toughs it out but Bron facelocks. Bron gator rolls Punk around, then drags him up. The fans rally and Punk fires forearms and CHOPS! Bron KNEES low, then scoops to SLAM! Punk writhes, Bron KNEE DROPS, then he rains down fists! Bron grinds his forearm into Punk’s face, then drags him back up.

The fans rally as Bron clinches, and he OVERHEAD THROWS Punk away! The fans bark, and Bron says Punk ain’t going home with the title. The fans rally for Punk, but Bron sits Punk up for a chinlock. Punk endures, fights around, and fights to his feet. The fans rally again as Punk fires body shots. Punk HEADBUTTS, then Mongolian Chops! Fireman’s carry! Bron slips free, and he hits a BIG back suplex! Bron drags Punk to a cover, TWO! Heyman says Bron has Punk where he wants him, that title already belongs to him. Bron stalks Punk, talks trash on him and the fans. “Look at this bum!” Bron stomps Punk, then talks more trash.

Bron ROCKS Punk, CHOPS him again, but then Punk JABS and CHOPS and fires forearms! Punk whips, Bron reverses, and Punk hits buckles hard! Punk drops to his knees, Bron runs up and KNEES him down! The fans boo, Bron drags Punk up, but Punk fireman’s carries! But Bron fights with elbows! Bron fireman’s carries, and he hits a GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO! Punk survives and Bron is annoyed but the fans rally up. Punk flops out of the ring but Bron just sees a target. Bron goes out the side, builds speed as he goes around the way, and Punk LARIATS Bron first!! The fans fire up while both men are down on the outside, and Raw goes back to break!

Raw returns once more, and Bron puts Punk up top. Bron climbs up, but Punk fires body shots! The fans rally as Punk ROCKS Bron again and again! Bron staggers back, Punk adjusts, but Bron is right up top again! SUPER STEINER denied as Punk holds ropes! Bron writhes and Heyman freaks out! Punk adjusts to MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Bron survives and Punk goes back up, but Bron trips him up! Bron tries again, but Punk again throws hands. But Bron just tries again! SUPER STEINER!! Cover, TWO! Punk survives and Bron is growing frustrated. Bron waits on Punk, he guzels and gorilla presses, then- DDT COUNTER FROM PUNK!

The fans fire up as Punk crawls to the cover, TWO!! Bron survives Punk turning things around on him again, but the fans continue to rally behind Punk. Punk throws a haymaker, Bron fires back! Punk fires another, Bron fires another, and repeat! They stand and Punk has the edge. But Bron kicks low, ROCKS Punk, then ROCKS him again. Punk fires back! Punk winds up and he DECKS Bron! And DECKS him again! Punk whips, CALF KICKS, and then wrenches Bron to a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Bron goes to a corner. Punk runs in, SHINING WIZARD! Short arm LARIAT, then Punk climbs up top again!

Punk aims for a proper MACHO ELBOW! Punk then says night-night! The fans fire up for it, but Heyman gets on the apron! The fans boo, the ref reprimands The Oracle, but Punk storms up. Heyman backs off and dares Punk to come get him. But this is really signaling for The Vision! Punk BLASTS Bronson Reed off the apron, DECKS Logan Paul, then chases off Austin Theory! But Bron is getting up! He CLOBBERS Punk into the ref! The fans boo as now the rules go out the window! Theory with the CURB STOMP on Punk! Bron covers, Bronson pushes the ref in, and the count, TWO!! Punk survives and the fans fire up!

The Vision is furious, and Bronson clears the desk! But wait! PENTA & REY rush out here! The fans fire up as The Vision dares them to come get some! Wait, they’re in the crowd! DRAGON LEE RANAS THEORY! Penta CLOBBERS Logan! Bron catches Rey, pops him up, but Dragon & Penta DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Rey DDTS Bronson! The LWO TOSSES Bronson, and they brawl with The Vision into the crowd! The fans fire up as it is chaos in Brooklyn! But Bron is back on his feet! Bron aims at Punk as Punk flounders in a corner. Bron runs in, but is sent into the POST! Fireman’s carry, GO TO SLEEP! Cover, TWO?!?

Punk is shocked, as are the fans, but Heyman is relieved! The fans still rally behind Punk and he reels Bron in! PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Punk is unsure what to do now, but he says it’s time to go to bed! Fireman’s carry and GO TO- NO! Bron snags the arm! FUJIWARA!! Punk endures, reaches out, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Bron pulls on the arm, but Punk rolls him to a cover! TWO!! FUJIWARA!! Punk endures as the fans chant even harder! Punk powers up, around, ANACONDA VICE!!! Bron is caught, but he fights and flails and reaches out! Bron sits up and stares Punk right in the eyes!

The fans fire up as both men stand, and Bron lifts Punk for a GUT BUSTER! Then a POINT-BLANK LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Punk survives and now Bron is uncertain! But now Bron says it is time for night-night! Bron fireman’s carries, GO TO- NO, Punk snatches the leg, drop toehold, and S T F!! A shoutout to John Cena!! Bron flails, reaches out, but he’s stuck! Bron pries at the crossface, kicks with his free leg, and he drags Punk along as he fights forward! But Punk lets go to drag Bron back! S T F!! But Heyman gets on the apron again! The fans boo, Punk glares at Heyman, and he grabs Heyman by the lapels!

Punk DECKS Heyman! Bron runs up, but Punk TOSSES him out! And DIVES but into a HAYMAKER! Bron sends Punk falling to the floor! The ref checks Punk, “This is Awesome!” as Bron then goes to the apron. Bron aims at Punk, but this isn’t enough? Bron goes up the corner?! SUPER FLYING BULLDOG down through the table!!! The fans lose their minds and even Heyman is in shock as both men are down in the wreckage! Bron rises, he drags Punk into the ring, and now Heyman is all smiles! Bron puts Punk in the ring, brings down the straps, and he builds speed! SPEAR INTO A KNEE!!! Punk hurries to fireman’s carry! GO TO SLEEP!!! Cover, PUNK WINS!!

Winner: CM Punk, by pinfall (still WWE World Heavyweight Champion)

Punk knew Bron’s plan was the Spear, and he made sure Bron never hit the Spear! Punk is still the Best in the World, will anyone ever take that from him?

My Thoughts:

A very good Raw, though I feel like a lot of this was prerecorded/tape delayed on some level because it had way too many video packages and special effects put on it. Did no one check how those fuzzy red bars on the sides would look, though? Horrible way to do the backstage arrival videos. The card had a strong start, though, with that great women’s tag title match. I was pleasantly surprised that Rhea & Iyo did win out, they’ll have a great feud with Charlexa and maybe even Nia & Lash. Part of me hopes they get back on the dysfunction between Asuka and Kairi for Kairi to break away from Asuka or something.

A good segue from the tag title match to Gunther’s promo, but of course Gunther’s promo wasn’t much different than weeks before. Styles interrupting was great, though even then, the most we got was Gunther copying the Dax Harwood interrupting technique until Styles slapped him. Then they had an awkward thing backstage, but at least we’re getting Styles VS Gunther next week for Raw in Germany. The match will be much better than the promos, at least. Decent promo from Ivy with Pearce, too, and we got a… decent match from Maxxine VS Becky. For their third or fourth time around, this was a bit clunky, not sure why. But Becky cheating to win was a brilliant move, there’s room for more character growth from Maxxine here. Also maybe Becky VS AJ Lee for this title?

Nice to see them show Je’Von Evans signing his Raw contract, but I had to get that from social media, not Netflix, because they made that a commercial promo?! The kind you gotta pay extra for to see? Hot garbage from Netflix and WWE when Je’Von is legit a top star of the next generation. Good promo from The Usos, though kinda filler when they didn’t even go to the ring for it. Very good development with Vaquer’s story, though I would think that ankle injury is a work. They wouldn’t let Raquel clobber Vaquer and beat up that leg if it were, right? Either way, it gets great heat on Raquel, and this could set Raquel up for winning the title off Vaquer.

Liv VS Lyra was a very good match, and Bayley losing her cool was a fitting way to distract Lyra and cost her there. I feel like we need a tag match of Liv & Roxie VS Lyra & Bayley next. With that, Liv & Roxie can get going towards the tag titles, and maybe they get the next shot even before Charlexa and Nia-Lash. With no Dominik around, the love triangle dynamic they were giving us might not be plausible, but they should still try and keep that dysfunction going. But either way, there can still be dysfunction based on how Liv wanted to be top champ but now Raquel’s getting the opportunities, and it can be all Liv’s pride and jealousy that tears things apart.

And very good stuff with the World Heavyweight Championship. For one, nice to see we’re getting some LWO again. Not sure what happened to Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde. Did someone get hurt and they just wanna wait until everyone’s healthy again? Either way, good to see Rey, Penta and even Dragon Lee help Punk by taking out The Vision, that’s a Six Man Tag right there. And even with the overbooking (and the Super Steiner botch), Punk VS Bron was a great match. Bron stays incredibly strong even in his defeat, but Punk retaining was the right move with more of this Vision story to come.

My Score: 8.7/10