The inaugural episode of Monday Night RAW for 2026 is now behind us, and unlike last week’s SmackDown, this episode left many fans feeling underwhelmed. WWE hosted the event at the Barclays Center in New York City on January 5th, featuring a “Stranger Things” themed crossover with the Netflix series. With Liv Morgan making her ring return, the show featured three major title bouts, each delivering varying degrees of quality. According to TheSportster’s ratings, the “Stranger Things” episode of RAW showcased a range of performances from the best to the least impressive, although despite chants for “Y2J,” Chris Jericho did not make a comeback.
In the Women’s Intercontinental Championship match, Maxine Dupri and Becky Lynch delivered a lackluster contest. While Dupri displayed moments of agility and intensity with submissions and reversals, and Lynch resorted to some underhanded tactics, the crowd remained largely disinterested, which dampened the match’s overall impact. The fight lacked energy and culminated in a confusing finish when Lynch reversed an ankle lock into a roll-up using the ropes, with Dupri seemingly unaware or passive about the pin, resulting in a disappointing conclusion to her title reign. This bout received an overall rating of 5.75/10.
Liv Morgan’s return match against Lyra Valkyria was more positively received, earning a 6.5/10 score. Morgan secured victory with her Oblivion finisher in a contest that featured solid performances, hard-hitting action, and smooth, impactful moves from Valkyria. The match slowed mid-way but regained intensity due to distractions from Roxanne Perez and Bayley ringside, ending somewhat abruptly with Morgan capitalizing on a distracted Valkyria.
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match kicked off the night, pitting the Kabuki Warriors against Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky. The bout, rated 6.75/10, had spirited energy and decent quality, with fast-paced attacks from Sky and Asuka and strong teamwork from Ripley and Sky. The match followed a familiar formula with multiple hot tags and near falls, concluding as Ripley and Sky triumphed to win the titles, marking a significant title change early in the year.
The night’s main event featured CM Punk defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breaker in what was hailed as Breaker’s best performance to date, earning the match an 8.5/10. The contest was highly competitive and physical, with interference attempts thwarted, multiple near falls, and impressive highlights such as a top rope elbow drop. Punk ultimately retained his title by reversing Breaker’s final attack and delivering the GTS.
Fan Take: This episode matters because it highlights the ongoing evolution and fresh narratives within WWE, especially with new talents like Bron Breaker showcasing their potential against established stars like CM Punk. For WWE fans, it signals exciting rivalries and title storylines that could shape the future landscape of the sport.
