The first “WWE Raw” of 2026 aimed to reset and create a significant impact on a night filled with exciting in-ring action at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Following Friday’s extended “SmackDown,” the Monday show was packed with championship implications and star-studded matchups intended to pave the way toward the Royal Rumble.
As the annual PLE approaches, much remains uncertain.
CM Punk led the night with a high-stakes defense of his World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker. Punk emerged victorious in his first title defense since capturing the belt at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Breakker controlled much of the initial portion of the match, but The Vision’s intervention led to Rey Mysterio, Penta, and Dragon Lee stepping in. The match escalated dramatically with surprising exchanges and close calls. In the end, Punk dodged a Breakker spear and executed the GTS for the win, likely securing his path to the Royal Rumble with the title intact.
While a Breakker victory would have symbolized a fresh start for “WWE Raw,” he will now need to regain momentum, whether at the Rumble or in future events.
The Women’s World Championship was not defended during the kickoff, yet Stephanie Vaquer, the titleholder, endured an attack from Raquel Rodriguez that raised concerns about her future following an ankle injury. This added to a show that prominently featured the women’s division.
“Raw” commenced with a Women’s Tag Team Championship match where the Kabuki Warriors — Asuka and Kairi Sane — lost their titles to rivals Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky. The match showcased the talents of all four women, perfectly encapsulating their ongoing feud. The pairing of “RhIyo” proves successful as champions, reinforcing their position with a strong opening performance.
In a Women’s Intercontinental Championship rematch, Maxxine Dupri lost her title to Becky Lynch. Lynch regained the championship through a clever counter, although she resorted to holding the ropes during the pinfall. Dupri’s brief title reign feels underwhelming given her previous presentation. It’s hoped this title change is part of a storyline to elevate Dupri, who could significantly benefit from the status compared to Lynch, who seems to be stagnating after recent losses with Seth Rollins.
