On January 26, 2026, WWE Raw aired from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, building intense anticipation for the upcoming Royal Rumble event. AJ Styles took center stage early in the show, expressing his determination to enjoy a final run as World Champion before retiring. However, Gunther, backstage, declared his intent to end Styles’ career soon, setting up a brewing conflict. The tension escalated when CM Punk interrupted Styles’ remarks, recalling their two-decade history of collaboration and rivalry. Punk proposed a high-stakes match for the WWE World Championship, warning that the loser might never get to face the other again inside WWE rings. Despite the gravity, Styles accepted the challenge, hinting this could be his last chance to shine.
Highlighting Last Weekend’s Women’s Six-Woman Tag Team Duel
The show recapped the action from Saturday Night’s Main Event, spotlighting a six-woman tag team contest featuring Stephanie Vaquer, Rhea Ripley, and Iyo Sky against Liv Morgan, Roxanne Perez, and Raquel Rodriguez. The bout was characterized by fierce exchanges, including Vaquer’s powerful backbreaker and a springboard tornado DDT by Morgan. After multiple momentum shifts and close calls, Ripley secured the victory with her signature Riptide finisher on Perez after nearly thirteen minutes of action. The match drew praise for packing many top female stars into one dynamic bout, though questions remained about the storylines moving forward.
Finn Balor’s Reflection and His Future with Judgment Day
In a backstage exchange, Finn Balor approached CM Punk with appreciation for their recent match, calling it a career highlight. However, Punk challenged Balor’s current direction, suggesting that aligning with Judgment Day and Dominik Mysterio could hinder Balor’s legacy. Punk urged Balor to seriously consider his path if he aspires to regain championship gold, pointing to a Royal Rumble victory as a potential next step. Balor appeared contemplative, leaving the door open for future developments.
Paul Heyman and Team Vision Tensions Surface
Paul Heyman appeared on Raw to introduce the Vision team members and acknowledge their difficulties managing WWE general manager Adam Pearce. After a brief exchange with a booed Pearce, Heyman secured the lifting of Bron Breakker’s suspension, confirming Breakker’s inclusion in the Royal Rumble match. Heyman also unexpectedly enrolled the entire Vision faction in the Rumble, reportedly confusing even himself. Additionally, to settle a prior dispute, a match between Austin Theory and Rey Mysterio unfolded immediately afterward.
Austin Theory Edges Out Rey Mysterio in Singles Match
The match between Theo and Mysterio started with Mysterio’s allies Penta and Dragon Lee nearby. Despite several counters and near comebacks by Mysterio, Theory maintained control with punishing strikes and a decisive Stomp to secure the pinfall after over nine minutes. The contest received moderate reviews, applauding Theory’s momentum-building win while expressing hope that Mysterio was not seriously injured during the confrontation. Post-match chaos ensued as the Vision group unleashed a destructive assault, signaling their dominance and intent heading into the Royal Rumble.
Tensions Rise Between Natalya and Maxxine Dupri
In a backstage segment, Natalya boasted about overpowering Maxxine Dupri and implied she had designs on Becky Lynch’s title. The tension set the stage for a potential rivalry as Natalya’s antagonistic demeanor overshadowed the announcement. Meanwhile, Stephanie Vaquer demanded a rematch against Raquel Rodriguez for the following week, which Adam Pearce promptly granted.
Roman Reigns Returns and Gunther’s Menacing Challenge
Amidst the Royal Rumble buildup, it was confirmed that Roman Reigns would make his anticipated return to the event. Michael Cole conducted an exclusive interview with Gunther, who revealed a ruthless mindset toward AJ Styles. Gunther declared that beating Styles again was meaningless, but now, with this title opportunity, he intended to end Styles’ career mercilessly. Gunther’s chilling proclamation foreshadowed an intense showdown at the Royal Rumble, where Styles’ fate could be decided live to the audience.
Insights into CM Punk vs. AJ Styles Title Match
The main event featured a gripping World Championship bout between defending champion CM Punk and challenger AJ Styles. The match displayed a compelling back-and-forth, including signature maneuvers such as Punk’s Shining Wizard and Anaconda Vice submission, and Styles’ Pele Kick and Styles Clash. Momentum swung several times, but the contest was disrupted when Finn Balor unexpectedly interfered, delivering a dropkick that caused a disqualification at the 18-minute mark. This surprise outcome prevented a clean finish but effectively set up future rivalries.
Royal Rumble Participants and Storyline Updates
The show outlined confirmed entrants for the upcoming Royal Rumble, including Bron Breakker, Oba Femi, and members of the Vision faction. Notable developments featured Becky Lynch mocking Natalya and the Kabuki Warriors while asserting her intention to win the Rumble. Meanwhile, Alpha Academy, New Day, Creed Brothers, and Los Americanos contested a multi-team tag match for a future title opportunity, with Alpha Academy emerging victorious though the overall tag team division’s state was critiqued as declining. Additionally, Je’Von Evans expressed admiration for AJ Styles’ retirement tour, underscoring the emotional weight of Styles’ final career moments.
Match Results and Ratings Summary
The event concluded with several key results: Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, and Stephanie Vaquer defeated Liv Morgan, Roxanne Perez, and Raquel Rodriguez by Riptide; Austin Theory defeated Rey Mysterio with a Stomp; Alpha Academy won a four-team tag match via a top-rope backsplash finish; and CM Punk retained the World Championship by disqualification against AJ Styles due to Finn Balor’s interference. Critics rated the women’s tag match a B for its high-paced action, the Punk-Styles main event a B+ for its quality and dramatic finish, and the Theory-Mysterio bout a C+ for solid execution with some concerns about Mysterio’s condition. The multi-team tag contest earned a C rating, reflecting the struggles of the tag division’s current landscape.
Implications for Royal Rumble and Future WWE Storylines
This episode of WWE Raw significantly reshaped the Royal Rumble landscape by injecting unexpected twists and high-stakes challenges. The setup for CM Punk versus AJ Styles in a World Title match remains central to upcoming events, with Finn Balor’s disruptive interference hinting at a fresh rivalry to follow in Las Vegas. Gunther’s looming threat against Styles adds a darker tone to the championship picture, while Roman Reigns’ confirmed Rumble appearance raises the stakes further. The women’s division storylines, intensity from The Vision faction, and the uncertain state of the tag teams all contribute to a complex and evolving narrative. Fans can expect a Royal Rumble event marked by surprise returns, intense battles, and career-defining moments as wrestlers aim to secure their legacies.
“Rayo Red, Bravo Blue. I’m the Miss Rachel of luchadors out here.”
– Corey Graves, Commentator
