The WWE Raw latest news highlights several high-impact moments from the January 5, 2026, event held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. On the first anniversary of WWE Raw streaming on Netflix, fans were treated to back-to-back championship changes, injury updates, a new main roster addition, a fresh theme song, and international event details, keeping the focus keyword—WWE Raw latest news—front and center throughout this recap.
WWE’s Monday night program delivered consecutive title changes right at the start, setting an energetic pace that continued throughout the event. The Barclays Center served as the venue for this special Stranger Things Night edition, which doubled as an anniversary celebration for WWE Raw’s first year on Netflix. With the atmosphere charged and a packed card of matches and moments, the night offered fans new developments and a look forward to upcoming shows, including international stops.
Stephanie Vaquer’s Condition Draws Attention Backstage
During a backstage segment, WWE Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer was seen moving through the halls in a walking boot. Shortly before a commercial break, this visual raised questions about her health and ability to defend her title. Once the show resumed, Vaquer, known as La Primera, appeared in the ring to be interviewed by Jackie Redmond. As she entered, commentators Michael Cole and Corey Graves discussed her recent ankle injury, which occurred during a triple-threat title defense. They emphasized that, despite the setback, Vaquer intended to remain active as champion, but her future status remains uncertain as Raquel Rodriguez staged a forceful attack, focusing specifically on Vaquer’s injured ankle.
Je’Von Evans Joins the WWE Raw Roster
One of the night’s significant announcements involved NXT standout Je’Von Evans, who was confirmed as the newest addition to the WWE Raw talent roster. This main roster elevation will see Evans appear on Monday nights moving forward, providing the young competitor a new platform to showcase his abilities.
“THE NEWEST MEMBER OF MONDAY NIGHT RAW IS JE’VON EVANS 🔥@WWEJeVonEvans pic.twitter.com/dOpYesKXXv
— WWE (@WWE) January 6, 2026”
This move follows WWE’s tradition of drawing promising talent from NXT to its flagship broadcasts, often generating both excitement and speculation among fans about Evans’ impact in future storylines and matches.
International Events and Highly Anticipated Matchups
The episode also included updates on WWE’s upcoming European tour dates. WWE Raw is scheduled to air from Dusseldorf, Germany, with a start time of 2 p.m. EST (11 a.m. PST) next Monday. A featured bout will see AJ Styles take on Gunther, a match that has been officially sanctioned and widely anticipated by the wrestling community.
“IT’S OFFICIAL 🙌@AJStylesOrg and @Gunther_AUT will go 1-on-1 NEXT WEEK! pic.twitter.com/4Ma9DJRPiN
— WWE (@WWE) January 6, 2026”
Additionally, WWE SmackDown in Berlin, Germany, will hold a Three Stages of Hell match, with Cody Rhodes set to face Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship. These events highlight WWE’s continued expansion into global markets and promise marquee matchups for fans both locally and internationally.
Spotlight on Gunther and New Merchandise Launch
Gunther, known as The Ring General and the former leader of Imperium, unveiled new merchandise during the Stranger Things Night broadcast. His latest t-shirt, now available at WWE Shop, features an image capturing his submission victory over John Cena during Cena’s retirement bout at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event in December. The design is accompanied by the phrase, “TAP OUT LIKE A …,” referencing the decisive moment that ended Cena’s illustrious career.
Eminem Track Selected as the New WWE Raw Theme Song
The announcement that Eminem’s “Godzilla” will serve as the new official theme song for WWE Raw on Netflix marks another notable shift for the program. This change replaces the previous theme, Travis Scott’s “4×4,” which had been in use during Raw’s first year on Netflix. While there have been rumors suggesting potential disagreements between Travis Scott and WWE, officials have not commented on whether these influenced the theme song switch.
Injuries and Updates Shape WWE Raw Storylines
Injuries were a key storyline element throughout the night, with Stephanie Vaquer’s ankle remaining a focal point after her confrontation with Raquel Rodriguez. The impact of this attack, combined with Vaquer’s earlier injury, leaves questions about her ability to perform and maintain her championship run in the near future. Such ongoing storylines continue to hold audience attention as both new matches and rivalries develop.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for WWE Raw and SmackDown?
This special edition of WWE Raw provided a packed lineup of breaking developments, setting the stage for a week of international shows, continuing championship races, and new alliances forged by main roster call-ups. Key figures—including Stephanie Vaquer, Cody Rhodes, Gunther, AJ Styles, and Je’Von Evans—will be central to upcoming episodes as new chapters unfold across WWE Raw and SmackDown. Fans can expect further updates and surprises as the road to future pay-per-view events continues.
THE NEWEST MEMBER OF MONDAY NIGHT RAW IS JE'VON EVANS 🔥@WWEJeVonEvans pic.twitter.com/dOpYesKXXv
— WWE (@WWE) January 6, 2026
IT'S OFFICIAL 🙌@AJStylesOrg and @Gunther_AUT will go 1-on-1 NEXT WEEK! pic.twitter.com/4Ma9DJRPiN
— WWE (@WWE) January 6, 2026
