Warning: This article reveals spoilers and outcomes from WWE Monday Night Raw on January 26, 2026.
The latest WWE Monday Night Raw aired from Toronto, Canada, possibly for the final time. The Phenomenal One, AJ Styles, made an appearance in anticipation of his upcoming match against Gunther at the Royal Rumble this weekend. The show’s main event featured AJ Styles defending the World Heavyweight Championship against CM Punk.
In other matches, Liv Morgan, Roxanne Perez, and Raquel Rodriguez faced off against Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, and Stefani Vaquel in a six-woman tag match, while Natalya addressed the audience following her recent betrayal of Maxine Dupri. The New Day competed against American Made, Alpha Academy, and Los Americanos in a multi-team tag match to determine the next challengers for the World Tag Team Championship. Bron Breaker made a comeback from suspension and had a confrontation with Adam Pearce.
Results from WWE Monday Night Raw (January 26, 2026):
- Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, and Stefani Vaquel defeated Liv Morgan, Roxanne Perez, and Raquel Rodriguez by pinfall.
- Rey Mysterio secured a pinfall victory over Austin Theory.
- Alpha Academy triumphed over Los Americanos, American Made, and The New Day to become the number one contenders for the World Tag Team Championship.
- The match between CM Punk and AJ Styles ended in a no-contest after interference from Finn Balor.
Key Moments From the Show:
AJ Styles kicked off the event to overwhelming cheers, with Gunther declaring his intent to end his wrestling career this Saturday, also predicting 2026 as the year AJ Styles retires. CM Punk then entered, challenging Styles and insisting they settle the championship match immediately, resulting in the title being put on the line in the main event.
Although Finn Balor lost a backstage match to CM Punk, he expressed that it was a pivotal bout in his career. Later, Paul Heyman appeared with The Vision stable, demanding answers from Adam Pearce and successfully getting Bron Breaker’s suspension lifted and him placed in the Royal Rumble. Natalya vowed to make a name for herself after her fallout with Maxine Dupri, targeting Becky Lynch and the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
Gunther shared a candid interview with Michael Cole, discussing the high stakes around his upcoming match with AJ Styles and his views on the careers of other wrestlers like John Cena and Goldberg. Finn Balor confirmed his Royal Rumble participation to Adam Pearce, emphasizing the importance of his presence in the event. Meanwhile, Bronson Reed strategized with The Vision members on how to ensure a group victory in the Rumble.
If This Is AJ Styles’ Last WrestleMania Appearance, He Went Out With Style
WWE is carefully managing AJ Styles’ final run, presenting him at his peak without revealing how much time he has left. Though the match outcome was unexpected, the showdown was a classic display of wrestling skill, potentially marking the closing chapter of Styles’ WWE legacy. Fans speculate whether he may still have one last match overseas, but if this is his finale, it’s an epic way to go out against CM Punk.
Finn Balor’s Evolution Could Lead Him to Royal Rumble Victory
Finn Balor showed a shift in character after his intense match with CM Punk last week, culminating in a sudden attack on Punk during the main event, causing a no-contest. At present, Balor is contending with the Judgment Day faction internally while emerging as a major player in the Royal Rumble lineup. His newfound rivalry with Punk and association with The Vision position him as a credible contender for the World Heavyweight Championship and a potential main-event spot at WrestleMania.
Fan Take:
This episode of Raw is crucial as it teases the sunset of AJ Styles’ storied WWE career while setting the stage for fresh rivalries, especially with Finn Balor’s rising prominence. For WWE fans, these developments promise electrifying storytelling and high stakes leading into the Royal Rumble and beyond, ensuring the sport continues evolving with new stars stepping into the spotlight.
