On January 5, 2026, WWE RAW will mark its first anniversary on Netflix with a major main event, as CM Punk prepares to defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker. With growing speculation in the wrestling world, fans are questioning whether CM Punk World Heavyweight Champion will face an unexpected confrontation from Chris Jericho, whose return is rumored for that same night.
Big Title Match Set for January 5 RAW Special
CM Punk is scheduled to put his World Heavyweight Title on the line against Bron Breakker, who secured this opportunity by pinning Punk during the Men’s WarGames Match at Survivor Series. This highly anticipated bout brings together two powerful competitors, each determined to establish their dominance. The stakes are even higher as this marks RAW’s debut anniversary episode on Netflix, making the event a significant moment for both the brand and the title picture.
The outcome of the match remains uncertain, with both superstars having strong claims to the championship. Should The Second City Saint manage to retain his title, there is growing buzz that his victory could be interrupted by none other than Chris Jericho, stirring even more excitement for fans tuning into the landmark episode.
Speculation Surrounds Chris Jericho’s WWE Return
Reports have suggested that Chris Jericho, who is soon to become a free agent after his AEW contract expires at the end of December, is likely to make a return to WWE. While the Royal Rumble traditionally serves as a venue for big comebacks, sources within the Triple H-led creative team have hinted at the possibility of Jericho’s shocking reappearance on January 5. This twist would add an unexpected layer to the first Netflix-era RAW and immediately elevate the night’s main event scene.
Although Bron Breakker has the chance to solidify his legacy as “The Dog of WWE,” sources suggest the creative team might prefer his crowning achievement to occur on a more prestigious stage. Meanwhile, CM Punk’s reign as World Heavyweight Champion is still in its early days, as he captured the title at Saturday Night’s Main Event XLI in November and has yet to make his first defense.
Potential Confrontation Between CM Punk and Chris Jericho
If CM Punk successfully holds onto his championship, the night may not end with just a title celebration. The possibility of Chris Jericho interrupting Punk to announce his return would be a major shock, immediately thrusting the returning star into the title picture. The history between Punk and Jericho adds further intrigue, as the two veterans engaged in a heated rivalry between 2011 and 2012. An immediate confrontation would set the stage for a high-profile feud, grabbing the attention of the WWE Universe and setting new storylines in motion right from the first Netflix RAW.
It must be noted, however, that these developments are purely speculative at this point and no official confirmations have been made regarding Jericho’s role on the show.
Industry Voices Applaud Punk’s Current Championship Run
CM Punk clinched the World Heavyweight Championship after overcoming Jey Uso at Saturday Night’s Main Event XLI, drawing significant attention throughout the industry. Recently, former WCW star Disco Inferno spoke out about Punk’s tenure as champion. During a discussion on the podcast Keepin’ It 100, Inferno addressed fan reactions claiming CM Punk was not a strong draw, offering his own perspective on Punk’s contributions to WWE.
“I like Punk, he’s the world champion because he cuts an excellent promo and knows how to sell his matches. He goes out there and wrestles a very logical WWE-style match. He’s an excellent professional wrestler. I have zero problems with him. He’s over, just look at his numbers. You can knock him for the UFC stuff, but beyond that, all the metrics on this guy are really good,” he said.
With Punk’s ability to perform both in the ring and on the microphone, his reign as World Heavyweight Champion continues to stir passionate responses from fans, as well as wrestling veterans and analysts. The upcoming defense against Bron Breakker and the looming shadow of Chris Jericho’s return could set off a new era of rivalries and excitement for WWE’s flagship title.
The wrestling world now focuses on January 5 to see if this highly speculated showdown becomes reality, anticipating potential shocks and the beginning of a storyline-rich season for all competitors involved.
