As WWE RAW approaches the Royal Rumble event, mounting backstage concerns highlight the urgent need for WWE RAW creative changes, with Triple H and his creative team facing enormous pressure. Key talent, championship credibility, and the show’s structure are at risk if decisive action is not taken before one of the year’s biggest wrestling events.
Despite Triple H’s reputation for proactive leadership, WWE RAW must undergo three pivotal shifts to ensure sustained excitement, authority, and viewer engagement during this critical phase in the wrestling calendar.
Increasing Support for Adam Pearce’s Leadership
Adam Pearce assumed the role of RAW General Manager in October 2023 after serving as a WWE Official since the start of 2020. Since stepping into this position, Pearce has grappled with keeping order amidst intensifying locker-room unrest and on-screen incidents. The January 12 confrontation with Bron Breakker, where Breakker bypassed directives and attacked Pearce physically, starkly revealed frailties in Pearce’s ability to maintain discipline.
“WOAH 😲@bronbreakkerwwe just put his hands on Raw GM @ScrapDaddyAP. pic.twitter.com/HHKjSQB08W”— WWE (@WWE)
Such incidents do more than shock audiences—they cast doubt on the authority of the office Pearce occupies. Without additional enforcement, whether through dedicated security or new authority measures, Pearce’s position risks further erosion. This period has also seen factions like The Vision run with little oversight, compounding chaos and threatening the show’s structure. WWE officials may need to consider temporarily removing Pearce from the spotlight and later returning him with reinforced authority and a defined support system.
The Usos’ Dominance Requires Strong Contenders
On December 29, The Usos defeated AJ Styles and Dragon Lee to win the World Tag Team Championships, cementing their legacy with a historic ninth championship reign. Jimmy and Jey Uso, already established as one of the most successful tag teams in WWE history, have combined for five reigns as SmackDown Tag Team Champions and four as RAW Tag Team Champions. Their prior record-setting 622-day reign underscores their influence within WWE’s tag division.
“Otis & Tozawa approached Jey Uso, looking for a World Tag Team Championship matchJey said he’d discuss it with Jimmy and get back to them#WWERAWpic.twitter.com/MoK3SoINxe”— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists)
Despite their status, the weeks following their latest championship win have seen The Usos positioned in the background, issuing warnings and referencing their era as “The Usos Penitentiary” but lacking consistent, challenging opponents. For the WWE RAW tag team scene to remain compelling, Triple H and his creative team need to invite feuds that pit The Usos against formidable teams. These include hungry squads like The Alpha Academy, unpredictable Vision members, newcomers from NXT, and other established tag teams. Fresh rivalries and regular defenses are vital to keep the audience inspired and the championship scene vibrant.
Allowing Finn Balor to Lead on His Own
Since joining The Judgment Day in mid-2022, Finn Balor has spent nearly four years in a collective role, but mounting tensions within the stable now suggest it’s time for change. The December 29 episode of RAW featured a telling promo by Balor, where he looked back longingly on his impactful time in NXT and hinted at a possible shift to a fan-favorite persona, contrasting his stablemates’ more underhanded tactics. These differences are especially clear in the varied wrestling approaches of Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan compared to Balor’s straightforward style.
“Things are heating up! 😲Are we getting @CMPunk vs @FinnBalor in Belfast, Ireland NEXT WEEK for the World Heavyweight Championship? pic.twitter.com/c1sNm1263m”— WWE (@WWE)
Launching Balor on a singles trajectory, supported by the return of his popular Demon persona, offers a pathway to rekindled fan enthusiasm and renewed world title ambitions. The presence of organic tension within his current group sets the stage for an impactful departure and potentially career-defining solo run. This move would also answer calls from fans and insiders for more focused character development, shifting Balor into position as a credible world title contender and injecting fresh energy into WWE RAW’s storytelling.
With the Royal Rumble looming, these WWE RAW creative changes—strengthening authority figures like Adam Pearce, providing The Usos with serious contenders, and liberating Finn Balor for a major singles push—could define the show’s fortunes through WrestleMania season. As the red brand looks to regain its momentum, these adjustments may prove essential for renewed relevance and excitement.
WOAH 😲@bronbreakkerwwe just put his hands on Raw GM @ScrapDaddyAP. pic.twitter.com/HHKjSQB08W
— WWE (@WWE) January 12, 2026
Otis & Tozawa approached Jey Uso, looking for a World Tag Team Championship match
Jey said he’d discuss it with Jimmy and get back to them#WWERAW
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) January 12, 2026
Things are heating up! 😲
Are we getting @CMPunk vs @FinnBalor in Belfast, Ireland NEXT WEEK for the World Heavyweight Championship? pic.twitter.com/c1sNm1263m
— WWE (@WWE) January 12, 2026
