Tag: CM Punk

WWE Raw live results: Gunther vs. AJ Styles in Germany

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: January 12, 2026
Location: PSD Bank Dome Düsseldorf in Düsseldorf, Germany

The Big Takeaway —

AJ Styles made Gunther “tap out” in the main event, but the referee didn’t see it, so Gunther won after a low blow and powerbomb. 

Adam Pearce suspended Bron Breakker indefinitely after Bron put his hands on him. However, the suspension may not last long because, as Paul Heyman noted, Pearce put his hands on Bron first. 

Next week in Belfast, CM Punk will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Bálor. Also, Becky Lynch and Maxxine Dupri will wrestle for the Women’s Intercontinental Champion. Yes, again.

**********

Show Recap — 

Michael Cole said there would be over 11,000 in attendance today in Düsseldorf, Germany. The country is hosting Raw for the first time in almost 29 years. 

CM Punk, The Vision (minus Bron Breakker), Je’Von Evans, El Grande Americano and friends, AJ Styles, and Gunther arrived at the arena. 

IYO SKY & Rhea Ripley kick off Raw in Germany

Rhea Ripley welcomed Düsseldorf to Monday Night Riyho. She talked about their win over Asuka and Kairi Sane for the tag titles, and the crowd chanted, “You deserve it.” Iyo Sky stole a line from Asuka and stated, “No one is ready for Rhiyo.” 

Ripley was about to issue a challenge to the locker room when they were interrupted by Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez. Morgan sarcastically congratulated them before noting she was a former tag champion who never lost her title. 

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria interrupted next. Bayley paused her promo so the fans could sing for her. Bayley said Morgan may not have lost her title, but Perez did lose them. Plus, Bayley beat Perez a few weeks ago, so if anyone deserved a shot, it was her and Valkyria. 

Sky yelled at everyone in Japanese until Asuka and Sane appeared out of nowhere to attack Sky and Ripley from behind and yank them from the ring. The remaining teams brawled until Ripley and Sky re-entered to clear the ring. 

As standard an opening segment as there ever was. 

********

Jackie Redmond interviewed AJ Styles about Gunther. Styles learned early in his career that this business was about respect. Respect for the ring, your fellow wrestlers, and those who came before. 

He and John Cena weren’t always on the same page, but they bonded over respect. Gunther disrespected Cena week after week, so Styles smacked him because Cena couldn’t. Styles would teach Gunther about respect tonight. Styles ended with: “In fact, I’m going to make you tap out like a little bitch.”

******** 

There will be a number one contender’s triple threat tag match tonight: Morgan & Perez vs. Asuka & Sane vs. Bayley & Valkyria. 

Morgan and Perez approached Finn Bálor backstage. Bálor was playing the WWE video game. Morgan wondered what he was doing, and she didn’t mean the game. She said he claimed he wanted gold but wondered if that was all talk. Judgment Day didn’t wait around for things to happen. Raquel Rodriguez didn’t wait for her title shot, and neither did they. It was time to stop playing games. Perez agreed with Morgan. After they left, Bálor responded, “Just you wait.” 

Je’Von Evans vs. Bravo Americano (w/ El Grande Americano & Rayo Americano) 

El Grande attacked Evans after Rayo distracted him. Evans fought back anyway and hit Bravo with a leaping dive and a nice running knee strike for two. Bravo responded with an airplane spin, which Cole noted looked familiar. 

Bravo went to the top, but Evans brought him down with an avalanche Spanish Fly, followed by an OG Cutter for the pinfall win. 

— El Grande attacked Evans after the match and chucked him over the announce desk. Evans re-emerged atop the barricade. They tried to swarm him, but he leaped right over the desk and escaped through the ring and up the aisle. 

Match result: Je’Von Evans vs. Bravo Americano (6:20)

This was a good little showcase for Evans, and they didn’t overthink it. I could have done without him running away post-match, but I’m sure he’ll be making his way through all three guys in the coming weeks. 

********

Paul Heyman approached Adam Pearce backstage. Pearce told Heyman that if Bron Breakker plans to arrive with bad intentions, he should turn around and go home. Pearce wasn’t in the mood and would not tolerate it. Heyman said he would relay the message (with exactly as much sincerity as you’d expect). 

During a break, Jey Uso entered the crowd to his music to cut pretty much the same promo he and Jimmy cut last week. This was just a bit for the live crowd, really. 

******** 

CM Punk and Finn Bálor segment 

Punk entered. He said he would never grow tired of being their world champion. He planned on being champion forever, but he knew they were on the road to WrestleMania and anything can happen—just ask Cody Rhodes. But with the fans behind him, Punk felt like he could do the impossible. 

Before WrestleMania, there was the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber. Two opportunities for guys to call their shot, and the road to WrestleMania went through him. He survived a battle with Bron Breakker last week, so he and The Vision were behind him. 

With the fans’ support, he looked forward to finding out who his next challenger would be. Punk thanked the fans and was about to leave, but was interrupted by Finn Bálor. 

Bálor said he wasn’t waiting for the Rumble or Chamber. Bálor didn’t want any hand-outs, but did recall Punk mentioning his name as a potential challenger after he won the title. 

Punk said he did mention Bálor’s name among a long list of talented wrestlers, but he wondered where Bálor’s ambition was because that was months ago. Punk saw Bálor playing video games and was preoccupied with helping Dominik and JD McDonagh. Punk wondered if Bálor was too busy shining Liv Morgan’s shoes. 

Punk asked if he would be facing Bálor or Bálor and the Judgment Day. Punk already dealt with the numbers game successfully over Breakker and the Vision. 

Punk acknowledged that he was a fan of Bálor. He also wanted to be a fighting champion, so he would go to the back and put his boots on so they could do this tonight. The crowd cheered and chanted for Punk. 

Bálor smiled when Punk accepted, but he said timing was everything. Bálor wasn’t just jumping into anything with Punk. Anyone who watched Bálor’s career knew that the line started with him. Punk didn’t have to worry about Dom or JD, but he wouldn’t be alone. 

Bálor previously watched as Punk repeatedly utilized home-field advantage in Chicago. But next week, they were in Belfast, Ireland. They would wrestle for the title next week, and there would be a new Irish World Champion. 

Punk accepted. He apologized to the fans in Düsseldorf because they wouldn’t get to see him work. He also apologized to the fans in Belfast because they’d have to watch their countryman go to sleep after a GTS. 

********

There was a video package for Gunther vs. AJ Styles. 

Number one contender’s triple threat tag team match: Asuka & Kairi Sane vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez

The teams brawled outside until Sane wiped out everyone with an Insane Elbow off the top. The two heel teams took turns on offence during a break until Valkyria made a hot tag following the break. 

Valkyria gave Perez an enziguri for two. Bayley hit Asuka with a back suplex, preventing Asuka from going after Valkyria from behind. Everyone (minus Asuka) then did a big stacked up powerbomb out of the corner, with Sane getting the worst of it. 

Asuka wasn’t pleased, so she hit Perez with a German suplex before hitting Bayley and Valkyria simultaneously with a double German suplex. Asuka held down Valkyria so Sane could hit an Insane Elbow, but the referee did not count the fall because Sane was not legal. 

(This wasn’t the plan because everything stopped for a moment, and Morgan still flew in to break up the cover that wasn’t being counted. Bayley could clearly be seen talking to Asuka and the referee as they reset.) 

Everyone traded moves until Valkyria caught Sane as she attempted a flying crossbody. Valkyria hit a backbreaker, and Bayley followed with a flying elbow drop, but Asuka broke up the cover. Perez hit Bayley with Pop Rox, but Sane broke up that cover. 

Sane chucked Perez from the ring, but Morgan flew in and hit Sane with Oblivion for the pinfall win. 

Morgan and Perez will challenge Ripley and Sky for the tag titles at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Montreal on January 24th. 

Match result: Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez defeated Kairi Sane & Sane and Bayley & Lyra Valkyria (13:02)

******** 

Becky Lynch cut a pre-taped promo. She wasn’t happy that mediocre Maxxine Durpri was already getting a rematch, while it took her almost two months to get hers. She claimed corruption from power-mad Pearce, but was confident she would retain the title next week in Belfast. Dupri would have to say goodbye to the big time. 

Byron Saxton interviewed Je’Von Evans during a commercial break. He was happy to pick up his first win as an official member of Raw, and was excited to be in Europe for the first time. He came across as being genuinely excited and let everyone know he would not let them down. 

Redmond interviewed Maxxine Durpi (with Alpha Academy). Dupri was disappointed he lost the title, but she proved to everyone that she belonged. She turned to Otis and Akira Tozawa and said she became champion because she believed in herself and wanted to see the same from them, because they were capable of great things. Dupri turned her attention to Lynch, who had to cheat to beat her. Dupri fired up and said she would break Lynch’s ankle. 

******** 

Raquel Rodriguez and Stephanie Vaquer segment 

Cole interviewed Raquel Rodriguez by the stage and asked her why she laid out Stephanie Vaquer last week. Rodriguez remembered when she was the girl who waited politely and patiently for her turn at the title. 

But things change, and people change. She was cheated out of the world title week after week. She would not stop until she had Vaquer in the ring one-on-one. When Big Sexy Raquel Rodriguez stood tall as the new champion, then everyone could go ahead and feel sorry for Vaquer. 

Vaquer entered, wearing a walking boot, as officials surrounded her. Rodriguez mockingly limped to the back as Vaquer stared her down. Vaquer looked at the camera and said this injury would not stop her. She held up the title belt and said, “Come get it.” 

Of course, Rodriguez ran in and attacked Vaquer again. Rodriguez slammed the title belt over Vaquer’s walking boot as the crowd chanted, “You suck.” Officials checked on Vaquer as Rodriguez left. 

(This segment was fine, and Rodriguez did well, but these officials looked so incompetent, being the only ones in the world who did not see this coming again.) 

********

They showed clips of Drew McIntyre’s appearance as the WWE Champion in Glasgow, Scotland, and plugged his upcoming appearance on SmackDown. 

Otis and Tozawa approached Jey Uso backstage. Otis asked Jey for a tag title shot. Jey didn’t seem to be taking it seriously until Otis got in his face. Jey realized he was serious, so he said he would talk to Jimmy. However, he warned them they would be standing in the ring with the best tag team in the game. Tozawa said Yeet. 

Bronson Reed & Austin Theory (w/ Paul Heyman & Logan Paul) vs. Penta & Dragon Lee

Penta was all over Theory, but took too much time posing, so Theory just dropped him with a boot. Reed tagged in, but Penta and Dragon Lee worked together to take him down. Dragon hit a dropkick in the corner, but Reed emphatically kicked out at one. 

Reed caught Dragon’s flying crossbody attempt and slammed him. After Dragon spilled out of the ring, Theory (not the legal man) decked him right in front of the referee. (The babyfaces are always stopped from getting involved when they aren’t legal, but the heels get away with it.) 

Dragon Lee hit Reed with a DDT after a break, and Penta made the hot tag, hitting Theory with a backstabber for two. Dragon and Penta handed out superkicks to everyone, including Logan Paul. Dragon then wiped out Logan and Theory with a flip dive. 

As Dragon Lee posed outside the ring, Bron Breakker ran down and speared him for the DQ. Penta invited Bron into the ring, so Bron jumped in and speared him, too. 

Bron was about to kill Dragon Lee with a running spear outside the ring, but Pearce suddenly got in his face. As Pearce admonished Bron, Reed laid out Penta with a Tsunami in the background (this was shot well by the cameraperson). 

Pearce popped into the ring to get in Reed’s face, but that allowed Bron to spear Dragon Lee. 

Pearce flung Bron around by his shoulder and told him he was sick of this shit. Bron aggressively grabbed Pearce and shoved him into the corner. Bron screamed at Pearce as the rest of the Vision held him back. Pearce yelled at Heyman and Vision to get Bron out of here. 

Match result: Dragon Lee & Penta defeated Bronson Reed & Austin Theory via disqualification (9:27) 

(This match was a waste of time, but Bron came across well in the post-match.) 

Medical staff checked on Penta and Dragon Lee backstage. Je’Von Evans approached and told them to let him know if they needed anything. 

Pearce found Bron backstage and kept screaming at him. Pearce suspended him indefinitely. Bron got in Pearce’s face, but Reed pulled him away. Heyman told Pearce just made a big mistake. Heyman reminded Pearce that he was the one who put his hands on Bron first. 

********

There was a WrestleMania commercial with Triple H. He received video calls from Peyton Manning, Jon Bernthal, Pete Davidson, Eric André, IShowSpeed, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Lil Yachty, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, Tony Hinchcliffe, Cam Skattebo, and Travis Barker. They all tried pitching WrestleMania ideas involving themselves, which stressed out Triple H. 

Among the comedy here was Hinchcliffe suggesting he win the Women’s title, and André calling Triple H a sissy. 

********

Next week on Raw in Belfast (3 pm ET/12 pm PT start time): 

  • Becky Lynch (c) vs. Maxxine Dupri for the Women’s Intercontinental title 
  • CM Punk (c) vs. Finn Bálor for the World Heavyweight title 

There was an Oba Femi video package and a plug for NXT. 

******** 

Redmond interviewed Gunther. He called Styles disrespectful for smacking him in the face over something he had no involvement in. It was disrespectful to do that to the best wrestler in this company, and disrespectful to do that to the man who made Cena tap out like a little bitch. If Gunther could do that to the so-called greatest of all time, Styles should be worried about what happens to him after the bell rings. (If you don’t watch regularly, Gunther gets a lot of heat the second he mentions tapping out Cena.)

Gunther vs. AJ Styles 

Styles was all over Gunther early on, and he targeted Gunther’s leg with a series of kicks. Gunther slammed Styles on the apron, but Styles fought back with a sliding knee strike. Gunther cut off Styles again with a clothesline in the ring, but Styles kept fighting back until Gunther chopped him off the top rope. 

Gunther held control through a break and continued with chops following the break. Styles tried firing back with strikes, but Gunther decked him with a clothesline. There were dueling chants until Gunther did the ‘you can’t see me’ gesture. The hesitation allowed Styles to mount a comeback, and he hit three consecutive dragon screws (again targeting the leg). 

Styles avoided a clothesline and hit a Pelé kick. Styles applied the Calf Crusher, but Gunther got a rope break. Styles went to the apron and hit a forearm, but he ‘slipped’ on whatever he tried next, so Gunther chopped him. Gunther tried applying a sleeper, but Styles wrenched his leg in the ropes. 

Styles hit a springboard somersault leg drop to the leg of Gunther for two. (That was cool, and came completely out of nowhere.) Styles went for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Gunther dodged it, and they traded counters until Gunther hit a clothesline and powerbomb for two. 

They traded strikes and chops until Styles applied the Calf Crusher again, but Gunther escaped by smashing Styles’ head against the mat. Gunther popped up and hit a shotgun dropkick, but Styles again managed to apply the Calf Crusher. 

Styles suddenly let go and told the referee to raise his hand, claiming that Gunther tapped out. Styles motioned as though Gunther submitted by tapping his (Styles’) leg, but the referee had no idea what he was talking about, and he told the ring announcer, Alicia Taylor, that the match would continue. 

Styles was pissed, but went after Gunther. The ref was in the middle of talking to Taylor, so Gunther gave Styles a low blow. Gunther followed with a powerbomb for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Gunther defeated AJ Styles (17:53)

This was an excellent match until the finish. They showed a replay to explain what happened, and Wade Barrett suggested that Gunther tapped on purpose, knowing that the referee wouldn’t see it, and that Styles would let go. Styles looked like a goof for letting go despite a call not being made, so the follow-up will be important. I’m sure the fans will be into the Calf Crusher when they do the inevitable rematch, which was ultimately the point. 

CM Punk using Batista as inspiration for acting career

Posted on by Joseph Currier

As he branches out into Hollywood more, CM Punk is using Dave Bautista as inspiration for the type of actor he wants to be.

Punk has been on a media tour over the past week to promote his role in the new horror movie “Night Patrol.” While Punk is a huge horror fan, he hopes to take on projects in a wide variety of genres like Bautista has.

“I cast a wide net. I want to do everything, like Dave Bautista,” Punk told That Hashtag Show. “I’m currently shooting a rom-com in Calgary, which I think is going to turn a lot of people’s heads too. Like, there’s no such thing as small roles, you know? I want to jump into every single opportunity that gets thrown my way and have fun doing it.”

Punk and Bautista are friends — and Punk has expressed that he’s “dying” to work alongside the WWE legend in a movie. Bautista has also spoken highly of Punk’s potential as an actor.

With “Night Patrol,” Punk is hoping more people will see the potential he has.

“They paid me to be able to have fun and learn from actors that were better than me,” Punk said. “And it’s only going to help me grow. And I think this movie is going to kind of open up eyes to my talent but also the litany of talent that is in this movie.”

Punk is the current World Heavyweight Champion in WWE and is coming off a successful title defense over Bron Breakker on Raw last week. In addition to “Night Patrol,” his recent acting work has included the Syfy series “Revival” and a cameo in Disney’s “Zootopia 2.”

On January 28, Bautista has a new movie called “The Wrecking Crew” premiering on Amazon Prime Video. Bautista stars alongside Jason Momoa in the action-comedy film.

CM Punk addresses Stranger Things finale criticism

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

A few days after Stranger Things’ controversial finale on Netflix, CM Punk shared his thoughts on the final episode as well as the ongoing criticism surrounding it. Promoting his upcoming film, Punk appeared on the My Mom’s Basement podcast, where he addressed the Netflix series, his feedback on it, and its fandom.

“I don’t know if this is just like a stan culture thing or if I’ve just, like, aged out. I certainly don’t understand. I see it in wrestling, and I see it with fandoms like Stranger Things and all that stuff,” Punk continued. “People just seem to want to be angry about everything because it didn’t happen the way they fantasy booked it in their head. To me, that’s a slight mental illness.”

Punk further opened up about the outrage fans display when certain wrestling speculations or rumors don’t come true during shows. He then proceeded to relate that same outrage to one focused on Stranger Things.

“People [are] just straight up mad about the way it ended, and I thought the 45-minute epilogue—I was like, now mind you, I’m not a feverish Stranger Things fan. I’ve watched the entire show. Hard to remember what has happened because they spend way too much time in between seasons, which I feel is a valid criticism,” Punk added. “I thought it was so poetic the way they wrapped it up. At the heart of the movie, it’s a nostalgia bomb.”

The series finale of Stranger Things was released on December 31, 2025, concluding a five-season run that lasted almost a decade.

WWE house show notes from Glasgow, Scotland

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

On Saturday, January 10, 2026, a non-televised live WWE event took place at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland.

Special notes from the Glasgow house show

  • CM Punk debuted a brand new tattoo on his torso. As a tribute to his late dog Larry, Punk now has a tattoo of Larry’s paw on his midsection.
  • Drew McIntyre finally arrived in his home country of Scotland with the WWE Championship after several years.
  • Finn Balor showcased a babyface version of himself when he performed the yeet with the crowd.
  • The Glasgow crowd sang along to Punk’s ‘Cult of Personality’ theme song.

WWE is currently touring Europe as part of their Road to Royal Rumble before heading to Saudi Arabia for the Royal Rumble PLE. Following Drew McIntyre’s WWE Championship win in Berlin, Germany, over Cody Rhodes, he finally brought the title back home to Scotland.

WWE house show results, 10th January, 2026 | Glasgow, Scotland

The following results are courtesy of Wrestling Bodyslam:

  • Jey Uso def. Finn Balor
  • AJ Styles and Dragon Lee def. The New Day
  • Alexa Bliss def. Kairi Sane
  • The Wyatt Sicks (with Nikki Cross) def. The MFT’s (with Solo Sikoa)
  • Drew McIntyre def. Shinsuke Nakamura – WWE Men’s Championship match
  • Liv Morgan (with Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez) def. Lyra Valkyria
  • Gunther def. Sami Zayn
  • CM Punk def. Bronson Reed – WWE World Championship

CM Punk details how quickly WWE approved ‘Night Patrol’ role

Posted on by Joseph Currier

In the time CM Punk was away from WWE, the company became significantly more receptive to allowing wrestlers to pursue outside projects.

Punk has branched out into acting, including a role in the new horror movie “Night Patrol.” He spoke to Notsam Wrestling about the project and how easy it was to get approval to take the role. Punk mentioned the offer to WWE President Nick Khan — who immediately gave his approval.

“There’s a whole laundry list of people that are coming up behind me that could, you know, feasibly do the same thing I’m doing right now,” Punk said about his WWE co-workers crossing over into Hollywood. “I think the industry’s changed enough to where I’m able to do the opportunities that are offered to me, whereas before I couldn’t, you know? I mean, that’s night and day. I got offered ‘Night Patrol’ and it’s just like — brought it to Nick Khan. And he went, ‘Yeah, great. Good. Super duper.'”

Punk added that, while balancing his pro wrestling and acting careers, he’s sure to make every WWE show that he can.

“I go out of my way to make sure I don’t miss TVs for WWE and I don’t miss dates, because I think it’s important to do that,” he said. “I’m not just trying to bypass everything and go film these movies and stuff like that. I’m showing everybody that there’s a path that you can do both.

“And the way the industry is structured now to where we’re doing a live Monday Night Raw, we’re doing a live Friday Night SmackDown, and maybe a PLE a month, it affords you the opportunities to be able to work and my schedule can be flexible enough. And luckily, I’m backed by a very funny, smart, beautiful wife who understands. And she helps me make it work — and it’s a beautiful thing.”

Punk — the current World Heavyweight Champion in WWE — also recently made a cameo as a voice actor in the Disney movie “Zootopia 2” and acted in the Syfy series “Revival.” His first run in the company ended in 2014 when Vince McMahon was still in power, with Punk then returning under the new management team in 2023 after being terminated from AEW.

CM Punk, PAWS Chicago partner for fundraising campaign honoring Larry

Posted on by Ian Carey

PAWS Chicago, Piece Pizzeria and CM Punk have partnered on a fundraising campaign this month in honor of Punk and AJ Lee’s dog, Larry.

Punk revealed last month that Larry had passed away nearly 11 years after Punk and Lee had rescued him in 2015 through PAWS, a no-kill shelter located in Punk’s hometown.

For all of January, a donation of $70 will be made to PAWS Chicago for every $35 specialty pie purchased. $10 of the $70 donation will come from proceeds of the sale, while the other $60 will be via matching donations from PAWS donors Bill Jacobs, Sean & Alison Fogarty, Laura Desmond, Leonard Goodman, Kristin MacGregor, and Joe Mansueto.

The specialty pizza available was crafted by Punk in honor of Larry. A description of the pizza reads:

“CM Punk crafted the January pizza in memory of his beloved PAWS dog Larry. ‘The Larry’ is a New Haven–style thin-crust pizza topped with tangy red sauce, mozzarella, Hot Doug’s signature smoked Italian sausage, Ezzo’s Cup & Char pepperoni, and finished with grated aged Pecorino for the perfect balance of chewy, crispy, smoky, and savory. Rescued from PAWS Chicago in 2015, this pizza celebrates the joy and unconditional love Larry brought into the world, while creating second chances for dogs and cats still waiting.”

PAWS promoted the fundraising campaign on Instagram earlier this week. They shared the following story of Larry’s rescue:

“In 2014, Larry was surrendered to PAWS Chicago. He wasn’t an ‘everybody’ kind of dog, but he was the perfect dog for somebody. Phil Brooks, or CM Punk as you may know him, was that somebody.
 Phil adopted Larry in 2015. He was loved to the fullest, celebrated for exactly who he was, and amassed fans from all over the world — how many rescue dogs can you say have their own action figure! He reminded us every day that adoption changes lives, for pets and their people.
 ‘The Larry’ is a way to honor his memory while giving other dogs and cats the same opportunity to find a loving home by sending a $70 donation to PAWS for every $35 pizza sold.
 Our greatest thanks to Phil, @piecechicago , and the matching donors for making this possible ❤️ For more information, please visit pawschicago.org/piece-pizza”

CM Punk praises ‘phenomenal’ WWE star Jey Uso

Posted on by Joseph Currier

CM Punk views Jey Uso as the “number one, shining example” of why internet criticism often does not reflect reality.

During an appearance on Busted Open Radio, Punk praised Uso as a phenomenal wrestler and one of WWE’s best merchandise sellers. Uso might receive criticism from a portion of fans online, but Punk sees how much support he gets at live shows.

“I use Jey Uso as the number one, shining example. Jey Uso in every arena — I’m battling with John Cena and Jey Uso as who sells more T-shirts on any given night,” Punk said. “Everybody’s going crazy for his music. They’re Yeeting. They want him to run it back. This dude can go out on TV for 10 minutes and just Yeet.

“But then if you went on the internet, ‘Oh, he’s the worst wrestler alive.’ Is he? Or are you just extremely hyperbolic? Everything nowadays is, ‘This is the best thing ever.’ ‘This is the worst thing ever.’ ‘I don’t like this so you have to not like it too.’ And it’s really just like — like what you like. Champion that. I try to stay away from the negativity. Jey Uso is f*cking phenomenal. He is. 100 percent. We just live these lives that are so public that everybody wants to point fingers and, like, laugh if we slip on a banana peel or make a mistake.”

Uso’s popularity helped earn him both a Royal Rumble victory and World Heavyweight Championship reign in 2025. He and Punk were opponents this past November when Punk won the World title, which had been vacated by Seth Rollins.

Punk’s interview on Busted Open was to promote his role in the horror movie “Night Patrol.” With how much he’s loving his WWE run and being able to appear in acting roles, Punk feels like he’s living the dream.

“I’m in the fairytale,” he told Busted Open. “It’s why I wrestle so much now, is because I know someday that I’m not going to be able to. So I’m really just selfishly trying to enjoy this run. And it’s the same thing with movies. I get to play in a world that I grew up watching [and] idolizing these people.”

CM Punk reveals his next non-WWE project

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Following his departure from WWE over a decade ago in 2014, CM Punk took on several non-wrestling projects including, acting, writing comics, and starting his career as a UFC fighter. While Punk did not taste success in UFC, he got his break in acting. Recently, appearing on My Mom’s Basement to promote his upcoming movie Night Patrol, Punk opened up in detail about his next non-WWE project, a chance to direct a film.

“It’s been offered. It’s one of those things, a lot like writing comic books or fighting in the UFC that, it was offered to me and it’s kind of unknown and scary, so now I have to do it. I think the VHS series is a pretty good way to get my feet wet in that regard,” Punk continued. “It’s definitely something that is more than likely going to happen in the next year. I got to, it got offered to me, and I went ‘what why me?’ ‘Why not?’ Okay, now I’ve gotta do this.”

Since starring in his first film in 2013, Punk has starred in a total of seven films, with his latest being Zootopia 2, as well as several other television shows.

CM Punk reveals ‘bucket list’ wish involving John Cena and Batista

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

After spending years together in WWE, CM Punk has now revealed his ‘bucket list’ wish of starring in a movie with the likes of former wrestlers, John Cena and Batista (Dave Bautista). While Punk actively wrestles in WWE, Cena and Batista have moved on, with both currently having successful Hollywood careers. Speaking on My Mom’s Basement, Punk opened up about potentially starring in a movie with the two former WWE World Champions.

“I’ve had a couple meetings, and that topic has come up. I can only imagine what John’s slate looks like; it’s probably super, super busy,” Punk continued. “I’d imagine some time in the future we’ll be working together. I’ve got like bucket list names I wanna work with, and selfishly a lot of them are my friends; Dave (Bautista) and John are probably like the top two.”

Cena retired from wrestling on December 13, 2025, when he tapped out to Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event, something which Punk found “beautiful.” On the other hand, Batista moved on from WWE a long time ago, having wrestled his possible last match against Triple H at WrestleMania 35.

CM Punk on John Cena’s final match finish: ‘I thought it was beautiful’

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Almost a month after John Cena’s WWE retirement match against Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event, CM Punk has shared his opinion on it. Speaking on My Mom’s Basement with Robbie Fox, Punk claimed that he found the match’s finish ‘beautiful.’

“Just like the John Cena and Gunther finish. I feel like it’s the same thing. Some people, maybe I don’t think you understand what you’re watching,” Punk stated while recalling Cena tapping out to Gunther last month in December, 2025. “If you didn’t like it, I can also understand that. To make it your entire personality and spend an unhealthy amount of time talking about it, I’ll put it this way, if John won, they’d be mad about that too, but we wouldn’t be talking about it anymore.”

“We’re still talking about that finish. The smile, the tap. ‘Oh my God, the guy who said don’t give up, gave up.’ Did he? I thought it was beautiful.”

Cena and Punk shared a storied rivalry during their prime in WWE, with both facing each other multiple times in both title and non-title matches. Cena and Punk also faced each other one last time during Cena’s retirement tour last year in Saudi Arabia.

While Cena is now retired, Punk recently defended his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker on the WWE RAW-Stranger Things episode on January 5th, 2026.

FREE WOL! Jericho, Punk vs. Breakker, Je’Von signing, RAW, more!

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Wrestling Observer Live is back with a FREE show talking tons of different subjects, including Bron Breakker and CM Punk almost killing themselves on RAW, Chris Jericho and WWE, Je’Von Evans signing during a commercial break, the IWGP Title lineage restored, the full RAW report from Monday and tons more! Best of all this show is free! If you want more wrestling content than anywhere else on the planet, join WrestlingObserver.com and get 84 shows every single month featuring breaking news, analysis, and unmatched coverage of pro wrestling. Subscribe and listen your way: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or directly at WrestlingObserver.com. Youtube and Spotify subscriptions feature video, and wrestlingobserver.com subscriptions include every show we’ve ever recorded dating back to 2005, over 15,000 shows! Sign up today, and thank you in advance!

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CM Punk retains World Heavyweight title on WWE Raw

Posted on by Josh Nason

CM Punk is still the WWE World Heavyweight Champion after surviving Bron Breakker’s attempt to win the title in the main event of the first anniversary of Raw on Netflix.

The end came when Punk countered a Breakker spear attempt with a knee strike, hitting a GTS for the pin and win.

It was Punk’s first televised title defense of his second reign. He won the vacant championship this past November against Jey Uso on Saturday Night’s Main Event after Seth Rollins had to vacate due to injury.

Breakker dominated Punk for the majority of the match, using his physical style to batter and beat Punk up. Punk was able to counter Breakker’s running spear attempt on the outside of the ring with a flying clothesline to regain the momentum going into a break that didn’t last coming out of it.

Breakker attempted a top rope Frankensteiner, but Breakker fell awkwardly in what looked to be a botch. Punk hit an elbow drop, but they eventually went to the spot again with Breakker hitting the move. Punk rallied again, but Paul Heyman distracted him before he could go for the GTS.

The Vision then came out to distract Punk who got hit from behind by Breakker who also took out the referee as well. Austin Theory hit a curb stomp that got a close nearfall and eventually, Dragon Lee, Penta and Rey Mysterio came out to even the odds as Bronson Reed was clearing off a table to have Punk thrown through it.

Punk eventually hit the GTS after Breakker ran into the ring post after Punk moved, but only got a nearfall. Breakker kicked out of another pin attempt and countered another GTS attempt into an armbar. Punk countered with an anaconda vice but Breakker got out of it, hit a gutbuster, and a clothesline for his own close nearfall.

Punk locked in an STF as a counter to Breakker’s GTS attempt, but made it to the ropes. Heyman got up on the apron again and Punk punched him and avoided a spear attempt that sent Breakker to the outside of the ring. However, Punk got punched by Breakker as he dove through the ropes, taking a nasty landing on the outside.

Breakker then went to the top rope and hit a flying elbow drop/clothesline of sorts, putting him through the table. As Breakker went for a spear, Punk hit a counter knee and a GTS for the pin and win.

Punk came out before the match mocking Breakker’s heritage, donning a CM Punk varsity jacket in University of Michigan colors like Rick & Scott Steiner used to wear.

The main event was part of the first anniversary of Raw’s debut on Netflix, held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

WWE Raw live results: CM Punk vs. Bron Breakker World title match

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: January 5, 2026
Location: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York 

The Big Takeaway —

CM Punk successfully retained his world title over Bron Breakker in an excellent main event, worth checking out if you missed it. There was a bunch of interference at one point, but they got everyone out of the way with enough time. 

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky won the Women’s tag titles, while Becky Lynch regained the Women’s Intercontinental title. 

Je’Von Evans signed with Raw during a commercial break. 

Chris Jericho was not on the show.

**********

Show Recap — 

Michael Cole and Corey Graves (wearing a Hellfire Club t-shirt) welcomed us to a sold-out Barclays Center for a Stranger Things-themed edition of Raw. The graphics were all Stranger Things-related, and the establishing shot of New York was made to look like the Upside Down. There were also cars and other show gimmicks around the stage. 

Bron Breakker (and The Vision), CM Punk, Liv Morgan and Judgment Day, Becky Lynch, Lyra Valkyria and Bayley were shown arriving as the Stranger Things song played. 

(It was sort of funny—and fitting—seeing Breakker sternly march through the back ready for his first-ever world title while the Stranger Things track played.) 

Tonight’s sold-out crowd is 14,728. 

Women’s Tag Team Championship: Asuka & Kairi Sane (c) vs. Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY

After all the Stranger Things stuff, they went to commercial break 10 minutes into the show and just 39 seconds into the first scheduled match of the night. 

Ripley took control by hitting a cannonball off the apron ahead of the break, but when they returned, Sane pulled Asuka to safety on another attempt, and they drove Ripley into the barricade to take over. 

Ripley fought back and tagged in Sky, whose offence included a slingblade. That prompted Graves to mention Hiroshi Tanahashi and his retirement, which was nice. The heels got the advantage of Sky anyway, and Sane hit a leaping footstomp to Sky’s back while she was draped over the top rope—leading to another break barely 8 minutes in. 

Ripley got the hot tag and hit Sane with a Razor’s Edge, and Sky tagged back in. Sky followed with a flying dropkick for a nearfall. Crowd wanted a title change. 

Ripley gave Sane a Rip-tide as Sky set up for a moonsault, but Asuka shoved Ripley into Sky to knock her off the top, and followed with a Codebreaker on Ripley. Asuka tagged in and gave Ripley a German suplex (as Ripley yelled, “Oh, shit!”). Asuka and Sane double-teamed Ripley until Sky made the save and dumped Sane from the ring. Sky tagged in and hit Asuka with a running meteroa into the bottom rope. 

Ripley tagged in and hit Asuka with a Rip-tide, and Sky followed with a moonsault. Sky wiped out Sane with a dive, and Ripley covered Asuka for the pinfall win. New champs. The fans popped big. 

Match result: Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY defeated Asuka & Kairi Sane to win the Women’s Tag Team Champions (16:27) 

A pretty good, exciting match with a happy finish to kick off the new year. 

********

There was a video package for Punk vs. Breakker set to ‘This Land’ by Des Rocs. 

Adam Pearce congratulated the new tag team champs backstage. After they left, he was confused upon seeing a Demogorgon. 

Gunther approached Pearce next. Pearce advised Gunther that there were a lot of eyes on the show tonight, and a lot of eyes on Gunther, including from those in the locker room. He advised Gunther to mix in a little respect in his promo tonight. Gunther chuckled.

The next segment had a chapter title card like Stranger Things. It was Chapter Two: He who remains. (I assume they did this earlier, but I didn’t see it.) 

Gunther and AJ Styles segment

Gunther entered. He said he was told by management to show some respect, but people should be respecting him, the one man who made John Cena tap out. 

AJ Styles interrupted. The fans chanted for Styles as he got in Gunther’s face. Gunther called himself the greatest wrestler in this company (the crowd booed that), and that included Styles, because he was the man who made Cena tap out like a little bitch. Gunther wondered what “little AJ” was going to do about it. 

Styles smacked Gunther in the face. Gunther got in Styles’ face but didn’t retaliate. Styles wasn’t surprised and said, “That’s what I thought—nothing.” Styles chucked the microphone at Gunther and left the ring.

******** 

There was a video package for the Women’s IC title match. 

Ivy Nile told Pearce she didn’t plan on going to the back of the line and wanted the winner of tonight’s IC title match. Pearce wasn’t in the mood and told her that we’ll see. Nile reiterated that she would not go to the back of the line. (Someone should tell her it’s not a long line.) 

Gunther confronted Pearce and wanted Styles. Styles jumped in and told Gunther they could fight right now and asked if he would just stand there like a bitch. Gunther ignored Styles and demanded a match for next week. Pearce made it official. Styles was glad. 

******** 

The next title card was Chapter Three: It’s Not Just Her Saying It. 

Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Maxxine Dupri (c) vs. Becky Lynch 

Lynch wore gear inspired by her character in the upcoming Star Trek show. 

Lynch tried yanking Dupri off the apron, but Dupri countered by doing a pointless cartwheel. Dupri hit a boot to take control, but Lynch took control during a break by yanking Dupri off the middle rope. 

They returned from break, and there was a modest and brief “Y2J” chant. Dupri fired up and applied an ankle lock, but Lynch got a rope break. They traded come counters until Lynch hit a middle rope superplex and transitioned into a DDT for two. Lynch hit a back suplex, but Dupri came back with one of her own and a flying crossbody for two. 

Lynch set up for a powerbomb out of the corner, but Dupri slipped out and applied an ankle lock (this did not look good). Lynch tried flipping out of it, but Dupri held on while lying on the mat. 

Dupri’s back was down, so Lynch leaned backward, grabbed the bottom rope, and pinned Dupri for the win. Lynch is a two-time IC champion. 

Match result: Becky Lynch defeated Maxxine Dupri to win the Women’s Intercontinental Championship (11:37) 

This was not good at all, but the right person won. Moving on. 

********

Je’Von Evans signs with Monday Night Raw 

Pearce entered and showed a video for Je’Von Evans, who joined Pearce on the stage. Pearce officially signed Evans to a Raw contract, and the fans applauded. 

The good: doing this on the stage made Evans feel special. The bad: this happened during a commercial break. 

After the break, they aired a commercial for season two of WWE: Unreal. 

********

The Usos segment 

Jimmy and Jey Uso entered in the crowd and remained there. Jimmy had them cut Jey’s music, but played it back for the fans before they cut their promo. 

The Usos shouted out Styles and Dragon Lee for their match, but that was last week and last year. 2026 was the year of the Usos. This was a warning shot to every tag team in the game. Standing in front of you was the best tag team in the game. They’d be waiting right here for anyone who wanted to run up on them. 

********

Stephanie Vaquer walked through the back and passed The Creed Brothers, who were hanging out in a Scoops Ahoy boat from Stranger Things. 

Chapter Four: To Kiss a Devil 

Stephanie Vaquer segment 

Vaquer entered in a walking boot for an in-ring interview with Jackie Redmond. Cole said Vaquer suffered an ankle injury during last week’s successful title defence. 

Vaquer spoke about her special year—winning four titles, including the world title. She became emotional as she talked about her accomplishments and thanked everyone for their support. She spoke in Spanish about her title defence last week over Nikki Bella and Raquel Rodriguez. She pointed to her walking boot and said the injury would not stop her. 

She posed with the belt, but was attacked from behind by Rodriguez. Rodriguez repeatedly slammed Vaquer’s injured foot against the mat before hitting a Tejana Bomb. 

Rodriguez grabbed a chair and was about to Pillmanize her leg, but Pearce and other officials ran out to stop it. The crowd booed as Rodriguez confidently walked to the back. 

Officials helped an upset Vaquer to the back during a break. 

After the break, only two medical staff members remained with Vaquer to help her walk. Rodriguez charged right back in and attacked Vaquer again. Pearce, who left Vaquer on her own, ran in and screamed at Rodriguez. He threatened to fine her until she had nothing left. 

******** 

Backstage, Rey Mysterio gave Dragon Lee words of encouragement and said he would be champion again. Dragon Lee appreciated the advice and left to speak with Styles. 

Penta approached Rey to say he was happy to come back early to help him against the Vision (I guess they haven’t talked since that segment ended). Rey thanked him for having his back. Rey said Penta understood the tradition, honour, and respect of lucha libre, everything the Vision wanted to destroy. Penta told Rey he would always be there for him. 

Elle Duncan was ringside. 

Lyra Valkyria (w/ Bayley) vs. Liv Morgan (w/ Roxanne Perez)

This went through a break, and the crowd was relatively quiet until a wild-looking spot about 7 minutes into the match. Valkyria set up for Nightwing, but Morgan countered into what was likely supposed to be a Codebreaker. It basically was, but Valkyria took the move almost like a DDT, so she landed right on her head. It likely sounded and looked worse than it was for Valkyria, fortunately. 

Morgan distracted the ref, so Perez dropped the rope on Valkyria. Bayley went after Perez, but the ref stopped her, so Perez used that distraction to chuck Bayley into the timekeeper’s area. Bayley “snapped,” grabbed a chair, and chased Perez through the ring and to the back. 

Valkyria was not paying attention to her opponent, so Morgan flew in and hit Oblivion for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Liv Morgan defeated Lyra Valkyria (8:56) 

Valkyria has not won a match since October, and she wasn’t presented like she deserved to win this one. 

********

CM Punk interview 

Redmond interviewed CM Punk backstage. Redmond said some thought Breakker could win the title tonight with one spear. 

Punk said everyone had an opinion. They would rather talk about him, because if they talked about themselves, nobody would pay attention. Breakker could claim spear 1-2-3 if he wanted. But if Punk was the underdog, you were underestimating him, and that meant a GTS and a nap. It could happen to anybody, but tonight, it was Bron. 

********

Byron Saxton interviewed Logan Paul and Austin Theory during a break. It doesn’t really matter what they said. Logan got a ton of heat, while the monotonous Theory got none. 

The only thing announced for Raw in Germany next week (2 pm ET/11 am PT start time) is Gunther vs. AJ Styles for the first time ever. 

******** 

Chapter Six: The Best vs. The Badass.

World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Bron Breakker (w/ Paul Heyman)

Punk wore a Rick Steiner-inspired Varsity Club jacket with “CM” on the front. This was his first official title defence since winning the title back on November 1st.

They wrestled back and forth through an early break until Bron sprinted the ropes and clobbered Punk with a clothesline. Bron held control until Punk tried a desperation GTS, but Bron countered into a back suplex. Bron remained in control until Punk again tried a GTS, but Bron countered into a gutbuster for two. 

Punk spilled out of the ring, and Bron saw his opportunity to hit a running spear, but Punk cut him off with a clothesline ahead of a break. Punk followed with a clothesline off the barricade and a flying crossbody in the ring for two. Punk hit a running lifting knee strike and tried another, but Bron drove him into the middle turnbuckle and hit a standing moonsault for two. 

After a break, Bron went for a Frankensteiner, but Punk did not come down for it, and Bron almost fell on his head. This was not the planned spot, and they did not show a replay (instead, they randomly replayed Bron’s standing moonsault). Punk did know well enough to follow up with a flying elbow drop for two. 

Punk went back to the top, and Bron successfully hit the Frankensteiner. Bron got him up for a press slam, but Punk countered into a DDT. Punk hit a lifting knee strike, a clothesline, and a flying elbow drop. 

Punk called for a GTS, so it was time for interference. Paul Heyman jumped on the apron, so Punk chased him off. Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and Bronson Reed ran out and leaped on the apron, but Punk chased them all off, too (all right in front of the referee). 

Bron shoved Punk into the referee, who fell out of the ring, and Theory took the opportunity to hit Punk with a curb stomp. Bron made the cover for a nearfall. 

Penta, Rey and Dragon Lee all appeared from the crowd (after Penta’s music played) to attack the Vision and chase them away through the arena. 

That left Bron and Punk alone in the ring. Bron went for a spear, but Punk dodged it, and Bron went shoulder-first into the post. Punk followed with a GTS, which for sure felt like the finish, but Bron kicked out. The crowd was super into this sequence. 

Punk followed with a rare piledriver (“didn’t get all of it,” Cole said) for a two count. Punk went for another GTS, but Bron countered into a Fujiwara armbar. Punk slipped into a cover, but Bron reapplied the hold. Punk reversed that into an Anaconda Vice. Bron simply sat up to counter the hold to Punk’s surprise. Bron followed with a gutbuster and clothesline for a nearfall. 

Bron called for a GTS and went for the move, but Punk countered into an STFU. Bron got a rope break, so Punk went to reapply the move but became distracted by Heyman on the apron again. Punk punched Heyman. 

Bron tried to spear Punk, but Punk dodged it, and Bron spilled out of the ring. Punk went for a suicide dive, but Bron punched him in the face, and Punk splatted on the outside. Punk gathered himself by the announce desk, so Bron put him through it with a wild flying clothesline off the apron. 

Bron shoved Punk into the ring, dropped his straps, and went for a spear, but Punk got his knee up to block it. Punk followed with a GTS for the pinfall win. The crowd went nuts. 

Punk posed with his title belt as the show ended. 

Match result: CM Punk defeated Bron Breakker to retain the World Heavyweight Championship (26:34)

This was awesome. Both guys needed a match like this. Bron showed he can have a main event singles match, and Punk looked like a rightful world champion—and he got his first big title defence since returning to the company. 

WOL: Wrestle Kingdom 20 review & Hiroshi Tanahashi’s last match

Posted on by Andrew Zarian

Wrestle Kingdom 20 took place on Sunday in Tokyo, and it was Hiroshi Tanahashi’s final match.

On the Sunday Wrestling Observer Live, Andrew Zarian breaks down the card and what’s next for NJPW now that this chapter is closed.

Also, we saw the possible emergence of a new superstar in Aaron Wolf, who made his debut by winning the NEVER Openweight Title as well as a new IWGP World Champion in Yota Tsuji.

He also talks Friday’s WWE SmackDown and prepares for Monday’s Raw on Netflix anniversary show, featuring CM Punk defending the World Heavyweight title against Bron Breakker.

Plus, thoughts on AEW Collision, a preview of this week’s AEW Dynamite, and more!

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube

Steve Maclin reveals there were plans for CM Punk TNA feud

Posted on by Joseph Currier

If things had gone differently, Steve Maclin could have worked a feud against CM Punk in TNA Wrestling.

Maclin spoke to the Pro Wrestling Illustrated podcast this month and revealed that, if Punk had decided to sign with TNA after being let go from AEW in 2023, there were plans for them to face each other. Scott D’Amore — who was in charge of TNA at the time — attempted to sign Punk after his AEW run but always knew that the prospect was unlikely. Punk returned to WWE instead, where he is the current World Heavyweight Champion.

“If you want some behind-the-scenes dirt that nobody knows about — CM Punk, before [he] almost possibly signed with TNA, was coming in and I was going to be his first challenger, which I found out right as Scott D’Amore was let go,” Maclin said. “We were having dinner one night and [D’Amore] let me know, ‘Yeah, Punk was going to almost sign there and then you were going to be his first challenger.’ I was like, ‘Sh*t!’ Would have been cool, man.”

Maclin noted that he saw Punk backstage at TNA shows in Chicago a few times around this period. Punk remembered Maclin from when he was a WWE extra.

“It was cool to just see him,” Maclin said. “And it was just like — it was fun. I’m like, ‘Oh, CM Punk, what’s up, man?’ He’s like, ‘Oh, what’s up Mr. Maclin?’ I was like, ‘Cool. Good to see you.’ Because he was really good to me when I was an extra at WWE. You always hear the horror stories as an extra, when you say hello to people, like, people shun you and stuff. But he was very respectful, and I never forgot that. That’s always something in wrestling that I never forget is the people that were nice to me on the way up.”

Maclin is a former World Champion and International Champion for TNA.

TNA star Moose has also mentioned that there were plans for him and Punk to feud over the TNA World Championship if Punk ended up coming to TNA.