The final WWE Raw before the highly anticipated Royal Rumble event took place this week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, intensifying excitement for the weekend’s big show. With the world championship at stake and AJ Styles’ career on the line, this episode delivered dramatic twists that set the stage for a thrilling Royal Rumble experience.
AJ Styles and CM Punk Face Off in a Climactic Encounter
AJ Styles opened the show expressing his desire to wrestle key opponents from behind the scenes one last time, declaring 2026 could be his year after John Cena dominated 2025. CM Punk answered Styles’ challenge by offering a world title bout on the spot. Their match, however, ended without a definitive winner as Finn Balor stormed the ring, attacking Punk and causing a disqualification. Balor then delivered three Coup de Graces to Punk, leaving the match’s conclusion unresolved and intensifying the rivalry.
Excessive Royal Rumble Entrant Announcements Draw Criticism
Fans expressed frustration over the number of wrestlers already declaring their participation in this year’s Royal Rumble, particularly among the women’s division. The mystique of surprise entrants appears diminished as several competitors, including Je’Von Evans, the entire Vision stable with Bron Breakker, Oba Femi, and Becky Lynch, publicly announced their involvement during Raw. This transparency has sparked calls for WWE to restore the unpredictability that once defined the Rumble.
Nattie Unveils a More Ruthless Persona in Riveting Promo
In a compelling video segment, Nattie confronted Maxxine Dupri over their past relationship, claiming she was the one who “made” Maxxine but accused Maxxine of failing her instead. Nattie proclaimed that she has transformed into a new, more aggressive version of herself, signaling a shift from her former persona. This promo was widely praised as Nattie’s strongest yet and has been welcomed by fans eager to see her showcase this more intense character to a broader audience.
Alpha Academy Earns World Tag Team Title Opportunity
The tag team division received a boost as Alpha Academy secured a spot as the number one contenders for the World Tag Team Titles. With champions Naomi and Jimmy Uso close to welcoming their first child, WWE appears to be setting up Alpha Academy for a possible title run, which could provide fresh momentum in the tag team scene. This development was met with approval as a logical approach during a time when key champions might need to step back temporarily.
The Build-Up Sets a Tense Stage for the Royal Rumble
With championship stakes rising and rivalries intensifying, this Raw has heightened anticipation for the Royal Rumble in Riyadh. AJ Styles’ uncertain path, coupled with unresolved conflicts involving CM Punk and Finn Balor, promises dramatic outcomes. Meanwhile, the expansion of declared entrants has stirred debate among fans, suggesting WWE may need to balance mystery with hype moving forward. The outcomes of the tag team division and Nattie’s new persona also add layers of intrigue heading into one of the biggest events on the wrestling calendar.
STYLES CLASH AND PUNK KICKED OUT 😱 pic.twitter.com/fhShXTtfhP
— WWE (@WWE) January 27, 2026
"Natalya elevates, but Nattie DECIMATES" 👊@NatbyNature is DONE playing nice and is coming for @maxxinedupri! pic.twitter.com/Y71hjHZQRM
— WWE (@WWE) January 27, 2026
WHAT A WIN! 👏
Alpha Acadamy are the #1 contenders for the World Tag Team Titles! pic.twitter.com/mZDYkR0hBQ
— WWE (@WWE) January 27, 2026
