Tag: Gunther - Page 4

Gunther says his wrestling style was never ‘too heavily influenced by WWE’

Posted on February 23, 2026February 23, 2026 by Joseph Currier

Gunther is “very proud” to have forged his own path as an in-ring wrestler.

While appearing on The Morning Shift radio show in Atlanta ahead of tonight’s Raw, The Ring General was asked if there is anyone he’s modeled his wrestling style after. Gunther said he was mostly influenced by the people who he faced as he was coming up in wrestling rather than anything he saw on television.

“Almost like influence-wise, I would say I’m influenced mostly by the people that I’ve wrestled coming up,” Gunther responded. “Yeah, I don’t know, I’ve never been too heavily influenced by WWE at the time or something like that. It was mostly the guys I worked with. Like, Timothy Thatcher is one of those guys. Daisuke Sekimoto. Zack Sabre Jr. Obviously Ludwig Kaiser, who I spent a lot of time with. Those are the guys that mostly influenced me.

“I was kind of like in the lab developing myself in the dark a little bit. And all those skills I acquired I then brought to WWE to make it work on the biggest stage possible. And, yeah, it’s one of the things I’m very proud of that I’ve kind of like did it my own way. I didn’t follow the most popular routes that people usually go. I had my own way, and I did it my way. And I’m very proud of that.”

Gunther went through a presentation change a few months ago when he went back to using “Symphony No. 9” by Antonin Dvorak as his theme music. He had a simple explanation for the change when The Morning Shift asked about it.

“Yeah, because I like that song more,” he said. “I had this for a long time, so it was time to go back to it.”

WWE Raw live results: Elimination Chamber qualifiers continue

Posted on February 16, 2026February 16, 2026 by Steve Khan

Date: February 16, 2026
Location: FedExForum in Memphis, TN

The Big Takeaway —

A dull Raw show saw Asuka and Je’Von Evans win qualifying matches as they tread water towards Elimination Chamber.

Next week’s show in Atlanta will feature a tribute to AJ Styles.

**********

Show Recap —

An establishing shot of Beale Street in Memphis was followed by shots of Gunther, Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, Liv Morgan (greeting Michael Cole for a scheduled interview), CM Punk (wearing a Cubs hat) and AJ Lee hanging around the arena in Memphis earlier today.

Jey and Jimmy Uso entered the crowd, but their energetic entrance was cut off by the voice of Paul Heyman, who entered with The Vision. (The Usos remained in the crowd.) Logan Paul wanted the fans to listen to Heyman, because his words of wisdom were as valuable as the most valuable trading card in the world—which Logan just sold for $16-million.

They showed a replay of a masked man costing Austin Theory his qualifying match last week. Theory complained about it until Adam Pearce interrupted. Pearce wanted them to go to his office to talk like adults. Theory wanted justice right now.

Pearce said Theory screwed himself. If it weren’t for Theory’s stablemates tying up his security, they would have handled the masked man before he could get involved.

Heyman wanted Pearce to put Bronson Reed in the Elimination Chamber match. Pearce said he knew about the phone calls Heyman was making to go over his head. Pearce had no problem with Reed in the Chamber—so long as he wins his qualifier next week.

Pearce urged them to leave the ring so they could continue with the show, but LA Knight interrupted next. Knight said the Vision screwed themselves. Theory wasn’t going to WrestleMania, and Reed was next on his list. Knight wanted Reed to qualify for the Chamber so Knight could kick his ass.

Logan mocked Knight for getting put through a car by Reed, so Knight mocked Logan’s voice and called him a broccoli-haired bitch. Knight suggested to Pearce that he make a six-man match right now, and he would gladly team with The Usos, even though he doesn’t particularly like them either. Pearce made it official.

The Usos (who waited patiently in the crowd this entire time) had their music played again, and they entered. A brawl broke out during a break, and the match commenced once things settled down. (I’m curious why the Usos were coming out to begin with.)

It appears Logan Paul is the de facto leader of The Vision with Bron Breakker out.

Six-man tag team match: LA Knight, Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso vs. Logan Paul, Bronson Reed & Austin Theory (w/ Paul Heyman)

Reed and Theory used a double-team to take control over Knight, and they had the heat on him for a good 6-7 minutes, including the full duration of a commercial break. Knight fought to make a tag, but Reed cut him off and hit a senton for two after Jimmy broke up the cover.

Knight dodged another senton and made the hot tag to Jey Uso. Jey hit Paul with clotheslines, right hands and a running hip attack for two as the fans Yeeted along. Jey speared Paul, but Theory broke up the cover. Knight posted Theory and gave him a BFT outside the ring before Reed tackled Knight through the timekeeper’s barricade.

Paul blocked a Jey superkick and hit a Zig Zag for two. Jey superkicked Paul as Jimmy tagged himself in. They hit superkicks and a 1D, but Reed broke up the cover. Reed headbutted Jey out of the ring and wiped out both Usos with a great-looking suicide dive.

Paul punched Jimmy with his loaded right hand, and Reed followed with a Tsunami for the pinfall win.

(So Knight challenged them to a fight, got beaten up for most of it, and his team lost.)

— Paul grabbed Cole’s headset to brag about the win when the masked man suddenly appeared and gave him a curb stomp onto the announce table. Reed and Theory chased the masked man away through the crowd.

Match result: Bronson Reed, Logan Paul & Austin Theory defeated Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso & LA Knight (12:53)

********

Next week, there will be two more Chamber triple threat qualifying matches. Iyo Sky, Raquel Rodriguez, and Kairi Sane on the women’s side. Reed, Jey Uso, and The Original El Grande Americano (Chad Gable) on the men’s side.

A delivery guy named Eli alerted Pearce to a large wooden crate with “Deliver to WWE” and “Do not open until 02/28/26” (the date of the Chamber) written on it. Pearce was annoyed that Eli seemed to know nothing about its contents and told him to send it to SmackDown so Nick Aldis could deal with it. (Eli had a clipboard with nothing but a blank piece of paper on it.)

El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) and his buddies confronted Pearce about giving the other Americano a Chamber qualifier. El Grande wanted something else if he couldn’t be in the Chamber and suggested an IC title shot. Pearce offered him a chance to earn a shot tonight. (So, a second impromptu match tonight.)

********

Triple threat Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Asuka vs. Nattie vs. Bayley

Nattie was introduced as being from “Calgary… Alberta, Canada” and representing the Hart Family dungeon. To show off her aggressive side, she got right in Asuka’s face upon entering, but they were separated by referee Jessika Carr. The announcers talked about Nattie’s lineage and called her the only woman to survive the dungeon.

Nattie was allowed to shine early, and she had control going into a break. Bayley fought back after the break and hit a diving elbow drop to Nattie’s back for two. Nattie was trapped in the tree of woe, but instead of a convoluted three-way spot, Bayley elbow-dropped Nattie and gave Asuka a superplex. Nattie broke up the cover.

Nattie gave Asuka a discus clothesline before Bayley gave Nattie a back suplex. Bayley gave Asuka a diving elbow drop, but Nattie broke up the cover again. Nattie gave Bayley a German suplex on the apron but spent too much time admiring her work, so Asuka caught her in the Asuka Lock. Nattie broke free and hit a sit-out powerbomb. (An announcer said Nattie was adding moves to her arsenal, but she’s done that many times before.)

Nattie applied a Sharpshooter but Bayley broke it up with a running knee. Asuka knocked Nattie out of the ring with a running hip attack before Bayley hit Asuka with Bayley-to-belly for a close nearfall. Bayley and Asuka traded counters until Asuka shoved Bayley into the ropes, and she knocked Nattie off the apron in the process.

Asuka caught Bayley in the Asuka Lock, and Bayley quickly tapped out. Asuka advances to Elimination Chamber.

— Maxxine Dupri attacked Nattie from behind on the stage as the fans began chanting “Whoop that Trick.” They were pulled apart by officials.

Match result: Asuka defeated Bayley and Nattie to qualify for the Women’s Elimination Chamber (10:28)

A pretty good match that the fans did not care about at all. They got into the Bayley-to-belly nearfall, but that was about it. Nattie’s character obviously hasn’t connected on any level yet and probably won’t. She’s winless since introducing this side of her.

********

Backstage, Pearce handed Oba Femi a contract and told him that SmackDown won’t be able to beat it. Femi said he’d need time to decide. Femi was confronted by Rusev (who barely got a reaction). Rusev wore his old “Happy Rusev Day” shirt under his jacket. They stared at each other for a while until Femi left.

Liv Morgan sit-down interview

Morgan sat down with Cole for a sit-down interview earlier today, but they were immediately joined by Dominik Mysterio, who pulled up a chair next to Morgan.

She said she would not rush her WrestleMania decision. She did not grind for ten years to let this moment pass her by. Stephanie Vaquer joined next and pulled up a chair next to Cole. Vaquer cut a very long promo in Spanish, and Dom was aghast at what she was saying. He quietly translated into Morgan’s ear, and she broke out into tears after Vaquer left. Cole was perplexed. This was… something.

********

CM Punk and Finn Bálor segment

Punk entered to a big reaction. He said the fans seemed happy to see him, but the office wasn’t. Pearce claimed he was jeopardizing the WrestleMania main event. (Fans booed, so Punk responded, “Yeah! Boo Adam Pearce!”) Punk said he was doing what he always did, and that was make everything better. Sports teams qualify for the playoffs, but they still show up to play their regular season games.

The fans deserved a fighting champion, just like Finn Bálor deserved a title shot in Belfast for everything he’s done in his career. Now, Bálor was getting a title shot because he earned it—earned to get an ass-beating. Bálor jumped him in Toronto a few weeks ago and ruined the last time he’d get to share the ring with AJ Styles.

Punk often said things that pissed people off. He wouldn’t be who he was if he didn’t often say things that pissed people off. The fans wouldn’t love him, either. Punk was a fighting champion and the best in the world. That wasn’t Roman Reigns or Finn Bálor.

Bálor interrupted, flanked by Dominik and the returning JD McDonagh. They surrounded the ring like The Shield, but Bálor said they weren’t out there to fight. Bálor wanted to make something clear. To be the best in the world, you had to train with the best catch wrestlers in Europe, learn with the best luchadors in Mexico, survive the toughest dojos in Japan, and show up to Raw and beat Roman Reigns on your first night. So as far as Bálor was concerned, he was the best in the world. Bálor wouldn’t be jeopardizing the WrestleMania main event. He would beat Punk and make it better.

Punk asked him what the two idiots were doing with him. Punk said, “I know who you are. I’m sorry, I misspoke. I know who you were.” All those great things that Bálor did, he did it by himself. He didn’t see Judgment Day by his side when he had all his past success. Bálor used to mean something. Judgment Day has been an anchor around his neck. Normally, someone like Bálor could elevate guys like them, but they were just dragging him down. Dom had two belts and never defended them. McDonagh’s head was so big that it made it hard for him to get into the ring. (Fans chanted, “Bobblehead.”)

Punk called himself a smart guy who sometimes did dumb things. He turned his back and gave them a free shot. Punk knew he was the best in the world, but didn’t need help to prove it. But maybe Bálor did. (There were more random chants of “Whoop that Trick” in here.)

Punk’s words got to Bálor. McDonagh was about to jump Punk, but Bálor stopped him. Punk tossed the mic at them and left the ring.

********

Byron Saxton interviewed Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky. He asked how they were holding things together after everything they’ve had to go through (tag title defences and Chamber qualifiers). Ripley admitted that SmackDown was a battle. Nia Jax and Lash Legend thought they could take the tag titles, but they failed. They turned up the heat, so it was time for Rhiyo to put them out.

Sky was about to talk about her qualifier, but they were interrupted by Kairi Sane and Asuka. Sane said Asuka was in the Chamber and they would make sure that Ripley and Sky would never win it. Asuka wanted Sane to make it clear that their goal was to make her (Asuka) the champion. Asuka told Rhiyo they were not ready for the Chamber.

********

El Grande Americano (w/ Bravo & Rayo Americano) vs. Penta

They went to break one minute into the match. El Grande tried going for Penta’s mask, so Penta tried the same. El Grande used a distraction to take control, but Penta yanked him off the top rope and hit a Penta Driver for a nearfall. Penta knocked Rayo off the apron before El Grande hit a running headbutt for two.

Rayo distracted the referee while Bravo attempted to give El Grande the metal plate. However, the Original El Grande Americano yanked him under the ring.

The Original El Grande gave Bravo a Chaos Theory and dumped Rayo over the announce table. Penta flew in and gave El Grande (Kaiser) a Canadian Destroyer for the pinfall win.

— After the match, Gable gave Kaiser a Chaos Theory. Gable tried taking off Kaiser’s mask, but he was pulled to safety by the other two.

Match result: Penta defeated El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) (7:56)

You don’t need to watch this.

********

Backstage, McDonagh tried to talk sense into Bálor. He was embarrassed watching what happened to Bálor in Belfast, and thought they should injure Punk ahead of their match. Bálor wanted to do this on his own. Bálor stormed off, and McDonagh was not happy. Dom was concerned that they left because he still had his own match tonight.

Kofi Kingston and Grayson Waller cut a promo during a break. Kingston announced that Xavier Woods injured his shoulder, and has been wrestling injured for months, but was no longer cleared by medical. (The way he announced this was meant to get a pop from the crowd, but they didn’t care.) Waller read a prepared statement from Woods where he buried Memphis.

********

AJ Lee and Becky Lynch segment

Lee entered. She said she had fun getting under Becky Lynch’s skin, and it was so easy. But Lynch reminded her that this was serious business after ramming her into the ring post. Lee hasn’t had a singles match in over a decade, let alone a title shot.

The last time she had a title around her waist, the division looked a little different. All they had to fight for was a sparkly, pink butterfly, but she loved that title. She wore that title proudly because she made that title. She wasn’t modest—she knew exactly who the hell she was. There was a Women’s division before her, and a Women’s division after. That was her gift to all of them. (Meaning, there was no longer a Diva’s division.)

Lee still wanted to get her hands on everyone back there. She wanted to fight Bayley, Valkyria, Ripley, Sky, Asuka, Sane, Judgment Day, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, but for now, all roads led back to Lynch. Lee wasn’t sure why Lynch was so bad. Maybe because she came back, or that her merch does better, or that the fans like her more. But she gave Lynch a ten year headstart, and she still hasn’t caught up. (It’s good to show confidence, but that’s a lie.)

Lynch gave Lee a gift. Without her, maybe Lee would not have come back. But she had a chance to show she can still be a champion. If she walked out of Chicago victorious, she’d get to walk into Mania as IC champion. Lee called out Lynch.

Lynch entered. She was amused that Lee thought this was her chance to get a title run. This was an opportunity to gather all of her friends and family and give her a send-off. The retirement match she never got or even deserved. They could all cry while Lynch shoves away Lee’s hearse. Lee’s gift to them was when she left. Lynch has been making history for ten years, while Lee made comic books.

Lee invited her into the ring to fight right now. Lynch wasn’t biting, so Lee took a page from Punk’s book and offered her the first shot. Lee put her hands behind her back, but Lynch still wouldn’t hit her. Lynch acted frustrated (another less-than-stellar acting performance) and said she knew Lee was just trying to have an excuse ready for when she lost. Lynch declined and left the ring.

(There was another “Whoop that Trick” chant when Lee challenged Lynch for a fight, so the crowd was chanting anytime there was a chance at a brawl.)

********

The Vision confronted Pearce backstage. Theory was pissed that Pearce let his brother Logan be attacked by the masked man. Theory was getting in Pearce’s face, so Heyman urged Theory and Paul to head to the jet. Pearce said the masked man was a problem for him, too. Reed said he would solve the masked man problem when he got his hands on him. Pearce thanked him for this.

********

Cole said the segment with Morgan and Vaquer would be uploaded online with English translations.

They announced a tribute to AJ Styles next week on Raw in Atlanta.

Raw next week:

AJ Styles tribute
Elimination Chamber triple threat qualifier: Iyo Sky vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Kairi Sane
Elimination Chamber triple threat qualifier: Bronson Reed vs. Jey Uso vs. The Original El Grande Americano (Chad Gable)

********

Triple threat Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Gunther vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio

Dom repeatedly bailed to avoid Gunther as the match got started. Evans went right after Gunther and was taken down a few times until he managed to come back with a dropkick. Gunther dropped him moments later before chopping down Dom. Gunther chopped Evans out of mid-air and drove Dom repeatedly into the barricade.

Gunther was about to powerbomb Dom outside the ring, but Evans ran across the ring and flew right over the top rope with an impressive dive to wipe out Gunther. (Dom grabbed the ring bell hammer and left it on the steel steps.)

Evans shined over Dom as they returned from break, but Gunther powerbombed him on top of Dom. Evans caught Gunther in a cover after a hurricanrana, but Gunther kicked out and hit a powerbomb for two. Gunther chopped Evans in the back, but Evans avoided a powerbomb and hit a running knee strike, and Dom broke up the cover.

Gunther got his knees up on a Dom frog splash before Evans hit Gunther with a springboard clothesline. Gunther caught Evans in a sleeper, but Evans quickly used a jawbreaker to break out of it. Evans went for an OG Cutter, but Gunther caught him in a sleeper. Dom broke that up with a frog splash on Gunther’s back. Dom went for a 619, but Gunther planted him with a clothesline.

Dom grabbed the ring bell hammer as Evans put Gunther in a sleeper. Gunther hit a back suplex and booted Dom out of the ring. Gunther grabbed the hammer away from Dom, but Dragon Lee suddenly appeared and hit Gunther with the ring bell (as revenge for getting beaten up two weeks ago).

With Gunther out, Dom hit Evans with a 619, but Evans avoided a frog splash and hit an OG Cutter for the pinfall win.

Match result: Je’Von Evans defeated Dominik Mysterio and Gunther to qualify for the Men’s Elimination Chamber (14:40)

This match was ok. The crowd was quiet for most of it, but they really got into the OG Cutter (and his earlier attempts at it) and popped huge for Evans’ win. It ultimately came across like a big win for Evans in the end.

Result of AJ Styles WWE Royal Rumble career-threatening match

Posted on January 31, 2026January 31, 2026 by Joseph Currier

The in-ring career of AJ Styles appears to have come to an end at WWE Royal Rumble 2026.

At Saturday’s PLE in Saudi Arabia, Styles lost to Gunther in a career-threatening match. The bout went nearly 25 minutes before Styles passed out in a sleeper, giving Gunther the win and seemingly ending Styles’ time in the ring. However, a moment that took place after the match raised some questions over whether this is really it for Styles.

Styles took in the support from a shocked Riyadh crowd after the bell rang. He then removed his gloves and went to leave them in the ring, but Styles instead put the gloves back on and posed for the fans. It was not clarified what Styles meant by the gesture.

AN EMOTIONAL AJ STYLES PUT HIS GLOVES BACK ON AFTER HEARING THE SUPPORT FROM THE FANS ❤️🥺 #RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/utJD4WxgkX
— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) January 31, 2026

It’s been known for months that the 48-year-old Styles would be retiring at some point in 2026. If this is the end, his final match came rather abruptly. Gunther used underhanded tactics to beat Styles when they faced off on the January 12 episode of Raw. WWE then ran an angle where Gunther forced Styles to put his career on the line in order to get a rematch.

Gunther — who has been nicknamed the “Career Killer” by WWE — had already retired both Goldberg and John Cena before defeating Styles today.

On January 28, Styles made a couple of trademark filings that have led to speculation about his next move and whether he could potentially continue his career in some form outside of WWE. He applied to trademark the term “The Phenomenal AJ Styles,” along with the “P1” logo that he’s used dating back to at least 2012.

Nic Nemeth hopes to see AJ Styles in AEW after WWE retirement

Posted on January 29, 2026January 30, 2026 by Shounak Chakrabarti

In less than a few days, AJ Styles is set to have his potential retirement match against Gunther, but former WWE and TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth hopes to see Styles in AEW or TNA.

In a recent interview with Card Player, Nemeth opened up about his thoughts on Styles’ career and how he feels he is not done yet.

“AJ (Styles) is a special performer, and if this is the end of his run, he’s going out on top in all of our eyes and hearts and minds. And I’m glad I got to get a couple reps in there with him,” Nemeth said. “I hope even if he has finished full-time, we could have him part-time or bouncing around or in Japan or in AEW or TNA. I would love to see him, but if he’s calling it a career, he’ll probably become a part-timer or help backstage or something.”

Over the last week, Styles, 48, wrestled both Shinsuke Nakamura and CM Punk before his bout against Gunther at this Saturday’s WWE Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia.

WWE files trademark for potential new nickname

Posted on January 27, 2026January 27, 2026 by Shounak Chakrabarti

WWE has filed for the trademark “career killer” which could be related to Gunther’s new nickname.

On Monday, WWE filed for the trademark ahead of his match against AJ Styles’ in Styles’ possible retirement bout at Saturday’s Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

WWE filed an application with the US Patent and Trademark Office for the trademark, described as follows:

“Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibitions and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer rendered live and through broadcast media including television and radio, and via the internet or commercial online service; providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; providing information in the fields of sports and entertainment via an online community portal; providing a website in the field of sports entertainment information; fan club services, namely, organizing sporting events in the field of wrestling for wrestling fan club members; organizing social entertainment events for entertainment purposes for wrestling fan club members; providing online newsletters in the fields of sports entertainment; online journals, namely blogs, in the field of sports entertainment.”

In the past year, Gunther successfully retired Goldberg at Saturday Night’s Main Event and then John Cena at this past December‘s Saturday Night’s Main Event.

WWE Raw live results: Royal Rumble go-home show in Toronto

Posted on January 26, 2026January 26, 2026 by Steve Khan

Date: January 26, 2026
Location: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON

The Big Takeaway —

CM Punk and AJ Styles had their first WWE singles match, and it was for the World Heavyweight Championship. It ended in a DQ. Finn Bálor attacked Punk and laid him out, solidifying him as a heel again.

Bron Breakker’s suspension has been lifted, and he will enter the Men’s Royal Rumble. The entire Vision will join him, and they’ve made it clear their goal is for Breakker to win. Adam Pearce granted them all a spot in the match, which seemed to surprise Paul Heyman. So there’s more to come there.

This has not been a particularly strong build to the Royal Rumble, particularly the Rumble matches themselves. Nobody came off like a strong contender except Bron Breakker and maybe Rhea Ripley.

**********

Show Recap —

There were shots of the stadium being built in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ahead of Saturday’s Royal Rumble, followed by a shot of fans lined up outside Scotiabank Arena in my hometown of snowy Toronto for Raw.

Stephanie Vaquer, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods (getting their hair done), The Vision (including Bron Breakker) were shown at the arena earlier today.

Michael Cole claimed Scotiabank Arena was sold out with an attendance of 17,853.

AJ Styles kicks off Raw in Toronto

Styles entered to a big ovation. He said Gunther claimed he would end his career at the Rumble. That was Gunther’s plan, but Styles didn’t plan on going anywhere. (There was a light, “F—k you, Gunther,” chant.)

Styles acknowledged that 2026 would be the year that he retired. He wasn’t saying that to upset anyone—he was saying it so they could enjoy it together. John Cena showed him how he could say goodbye. 2025 was Cena’s year, and there was no reason 2026 couldn’t be his.

There were men in locker rooms all over the world that he would love to wrestle one more time. (Interesting phrasing.) He also wanted to be world champion one more time.

CM Punk entered to a big reaction. Punk said he’s known Styles for more than 20 years. They’ve been friends and enemies, but there was nothing but respect between them now. (Styles agreed.)

Punk didn’t understand what he was doing by putting his career on the line against Gunther. Guys like them still had a lot left in the tank, and the stakes on Saturday were too high. Styles accused Punk of thinking that he couldn’t beat Gunther.

Punk wasn’t saying that. He knew Styles could beat Gunther, but the last time they wrestled, Styles did not get his hand raised. And if Styles did retire, that meant the two of them never got to wrestle one-on-one in WWE. (They wrestled in a three-way with Chad Gable last year.)

Styles knew what Punk meant (about facing Gunther), but thought he was being disrespectful. Styles had an idea, and the crowd chanted, “Fight tonight.” Styles told Punk, “I know I can beat Gunther, and I know I can beat you.” Punk said Styles can’t prove that if he loses on Saturday. They both looked around at the crowd.

Styles said if they did fight tonight, and he won, he should be number one contender for the title after he beats Gunther. Punk said if they were going to wrestle tonight in Toronto, it would be for the belt. Everyone cheered. Punk made the match, and they shook hands.

(Punk vs. Styles for the title was made official during the next match.)

********

There was a video package recapping Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Six-woman tag team match: Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer & Women’s Tag Team Champions Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY vs. Raquel Rodriguez, Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez

The Judgment Day women all wore matching black-and-red gear. Ripley came out to a huge pop, and the crowd sang Iyo Sky’s name as the match began.

Vaquer entered to a modest applause and went to work on Morgan, but her Devil’s Kiss attempt was broken up by Rodriguez, which upset the fans. Morgan had actually tagged out to Rodriguez moments earlier, but Vaquer didn’t see it because she was distracted by Perez. The referee did see it, but made no attempt to get Morgan out of the ring besides yelling vaguely at her. She remained in the ring for well over 10 seconds before Rodriguez got in.

Judgment Day maintained control over Vaquer throughout a break. Morgan yanked Sky off the apron, while Rodriguez attacked Ripley from behind. The referee was ok with all of this.

Vaquer finally did make a hot tag to Sky, who hit Perez with uppercuts, a flying dropkick, and a corner meteora. Morgan saved Perez from a moonsault, but Sky followed with a butterfly backbreaker. Morgan distracted the ref by messing up the ring skirt while Perez raked Sky’s eyes. Perez and Morgan hit a combo Russian leg sweep/Codebreaker for two.

Sky made the next hot tag to Ripley, who gave Morgan a Razor’s Edge into Rodriguez. Ripley blocked a Pop Rox and clobbered Perez with a clothesline. Ripley followed with a missile dropkick to Rodriguez (who was in the ring a long time despite not being legal, but this referee obviously does not care).

Morgan fought back with a tornado DDT on Ripley, but Sky broke up the cover. Everyone traded moves until Vaquel wiped out Rodriguez with a diving splash to the outside.

Morgan went for Oblivion, but Ripley blocked it. Perez had made a blind tag, and they tried their combo move again, but Sky wiped out Morgan with a flying dropkick. Ripley finished off Perez with a Rip-tide for the pinfall win.

The three winners celebrated. (Corey Graves noted that Vaquer was limping by the end of the match, which was the same injury she’s been selling the past several weeks.)

Match result: Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY & Stephanie Vaquer defeated Roxanne Perez, Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez (12:54)

A fun TV match despite the dumb referee. Ripley was the most over person in the match, and she got another win ahead of the Rumble, where she’ll be one of the favourites.

********

There was a dramatic recap of Punk successfully defending his title over Finn Bálor last week in Belfast.

Bálor approached Punk backstage. Bálor initially seemed in a bad mood after coming up short last week, but said Punk was part of the most memorable night of his career. Punk picked him up after the match and gave him his flowers, but Bálor didn’t return the favour, so he will now. Bálor thanked him.

Punk thanked him, too. Punk said he couldn’t be the best in the world unless he beat the best. Punk considered Bálor one of the greats, and he earned the shot. Cena was gone, and there weren’t a lot of guys like them left. Punk advised him that he might want to ditch Judgment Day if he really wanted to be champion. Punk told him to win the Rumble, and maybe he’d see him again. Punk left, and Bálor nodded.

********

There’s a commercial specifically for the special Triple H edition of WWE 2K26. I’m not even sure they’ve advertised the actual game yet.

Bron Breakker and Adam Pearce face-to-face

The Vision entered. Paul Heyman did his usual bit, called Toronto a second-rate city, and introduced each member of The Vision. Logan Paul got a lot of heat, of course. Heyman gave special attention to Bron Breakker.

Heyman noted that Breakker was there because Adam Pearce wanted a face-to-face, but Heyman wanted to examine why this was happening first. Heyman showed a replay of Pearce putting his hands on Breakker first (before Breakker tried to kill him). Heyman said that was not appropriate behaviour for the Raw general manager. Heyman also showed a replay of Rey Mysterio pinning Austin Theory last week, thanks to Pearce planting the brass knuckles on the apron.

Pearce entered. He admitted that things got out of hand, and he put his hands on Breakker first. He apologized. Breakker laughed. Pearce pledged to them all that it would not happen again. Pearce knew what Heyman was going to say next, and he already made it official: Breakker’s suspension was over, and he was in the Royal Rumble match.

Heyman was happy and asked for a handshake. Pearce called Heyman a master negotiator, so he willingly entered Logan Paul, Bronson Reed and Austin Theory into the Rumble. Heyman was caught off guard by this. Pearce also knew that Theory felt cheated after last week, so he put him in a match against Rey Mysterio—tonight.

When the segment was over, all members of The Vision were happy, while Heyman was confused. Cole did not know what to make of Pearce’s decision.

Austin Theory (w/ The Vision) vs. Rey Mysterio (w/ Penta & Dragon Lee)

Theory held control with a chin lock and tried to get some heat by going for Rey’s mask, but the crowd didn’t bite. The fight spilled to the outside, and Rey sent Theory flying into the ring post. As the outside parties argued, Rey hit Theory with a seated senton off the barricade. Rey smacked Reed’s head before heading back into the ring.

This led to a second commercial break (the match started during a break), so about 5 of the first 8 and a half minutes of the match happened during commercials.

Rey went after Theory outside the ring, but Theory dumped him onto the ring steps and placed him in another rest hold in the ring, just long enough to bring us back from break. Rey tried a springboard crossbody, but Theory nailed him with a mid-air forearm and an Ataxia (flatliner variation) for two.

Dragon Lee checked on Rey outside the ring, so Logan shoved him. Penta superkicked Logan. Dragon Lee tried to take out Reed, but Reed caught him and drove him into the barricade before Logan yanked Penta off the apron.

Rey kicked Logan, but the distraction allowed Theory to hit the ring with a curb stomp for the pinfall win.

— Breakker attacked Penta and Dragon Lee after the match, and The Vision laid out the two men. Paul gave Dragon Lee a frog splash, while Breakker speared Penta, and Reed finished off Penta with a Tsunami.

(Notably, it seemed like they were trying to set up Rey for a spear, but the referee frantically got between them and got Rey out of the ring. So perhaps after taking the curb stomp, they wanted to be safe with Rey.)

Match result: Logan Paul defeated Rey Mysterio (11:23)

This was a nothing match just to get Theory a win, finally.

It turns out Rey may have gotten injured, so hopefully it isn’t serious. He seemed fine all match until they got him out of the ring for the post-match angle.

*******

There was a Natalya video promo. She said she made Maxxine Dupri, but Dupri failed. Dupri didn’t fail herself, she failed Natalya. Rolling with a legend didn’t mean she could roll like a legend. There was a whole new Natalya, and when she was done with Dupri, was coming for it all (the IC title). “Because Natalya elevates, but Nattie decimates.”

Rodriguez marched around backstage, loudly screaming for Vaquer. Bayley was nearby and called her an idiot because she (Bayley) was on the phone. Lyra Valkyria got between them, so Rodriguez continued on her way until she was attacked by Vaquer. Officials quickly separated them.

Byron Saxton interviewed Je’Von Evans during a break. Evans made the mistake of wearing a Boston Red Sox toque, so he was greeted with a “Let’s go Blue Jays” chant. Evans’ goal was to main event WrestleMania, which first meant winning the Rumble. He declared himself for the match.

********

Gunther sit-down interview

Cole interviewed Gunther in the Toronto Raptors locker room. Gunther said he agreed to Saturday’s match because he had something to gain by ending Styles’ career. He was sick of the old-timers overstaying their welcome, chasing one moment after another. Those moments belonged to him.

Goldberg chased after a moment, but Gunther took it away. Cena chased moments for a full year, but all anyone would talk about now was that he gave up to him in his last match. Now, Styles had this idea of a long, emotional farewell tour, but Gunther wasn’t interested.

Gunther noted that Cole was an old-timer, too. He asked Cole how long he planned on sticking around chasing a moment. He could kick the chair out and end Cole’s career right now, but he told Cole not to worry. Gunther wanted Cole at ringside on Saturday so he could say the career of the Phenomenal AJ Styles was over.

This was really good.

********

Bálor approached Pearce to declare himself for the Rumble. Pearce said Bálor already had his shot at the title last week, so he filled Bálor’s Rumble spot with someone else. He said the Rumble was full. Bálor said the Rumble couldn’t be full without him. Pearce reiterated that the match was full. Bálor left while contemplating what to do next.

Morgan confronted Bálor. She accused Punk of giving him a participation trophy, and Bálor thanked him for it. She heard Punk say he should leave Judgment Day, but Punk didn’t really want him to be champion, while his family in Judgment Day did. Bálor said this wasn’t as straightforward as she thought. He said he would take care of it.

********

Jey Uso entered ahead of a break to watch the next match. (No Jimmy again. They are in Canada, after all. Cole said he was dealing with personal issues.) Jey tried to run back his entrance music, but was cut off by American Made.

Scottie Barnes was shown in the crowd, and he got a nice ovation.

Fatal four-way to determine tag team title number one contenders: The New Day (w/ Grayson Waller) vs. Alpha Academy vs. American Made (w/ Ivy Nile) vs. Los Americanos

It doesn’t say much about the tag division (or more specifically, having two sets of tag titles) that this was the field to determine number one contenders.

During a break, Xavier Woods confronted Cole at the desk and loudly told him, “I am Xavier, and that’s Kofi. Get it right from here on out!” Cole responded, “What was that all about?”

The crowd didn’t react to anything until Otis got in, and then they were into it. (Amazing Otis can have this effect after all this time of being a background character.) Otis hit a Caterpillar elbow, but the cover was broken up. Everyone attacked Otis, so Akira Tozawa made the stave and hit Bravo Americano with a German suplex. Tozawa then wiped out all three teams with suicide dives.

Tozawa set up Kingston for a diving senton, but Woods distracted the referee, so Waller tripped Tozawa. The referee admonished Waller until Jey superkicked Waller over the barricade.

Otis beat up the other teams single-handedly and slammed Julius onto Brutus. Tozawa followed with a diving senton on Julius for the pinfall win.

Alpha Academy will face The Usos for the tag titles. Jey bumped fists with Otis and Tozawa post-match.

Match result: Akira Tozawa & Otis defeated American Made, Los Americanos & The New Day (10:53)

********

Jackie Redmond, wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs jacket, interviewed Becky Lynch. Lynch called her win last week monumental, but Redmond wouldn’t know anything about monumental wins wearing a jacket like that.

Lynch noted Natalya went after the match. Lynch understood, because Natalya trained Dupri from nothing, and she remained nothing. She compared it to training loser Lyra. Now Natalya was coming after her title, but Natalya would have to win the Rumble first, and that was laughable.

Lynch said she was entering the Rumble match. Kairi Sane and Asuka interrupted. Sane said Lynch would not win the Rumble because Asuka would, and Lynch was not ready. Lynch said she was ready because she’s already beaten Asuka. Sane tried to explain this to Asuka, who was standing right there. Asuka cut her off and told Lynch she would see her in the Rumble.

*******

Je’Von Evans approached Styles as he warmed up. Evans hoped to see him after Saturday. Styles shook his hand. (Evans turned his hat around to hide the Red Sox logo.)

Elsewhere, Vaquer told Pearce she didn’t want a match against Rodriguez—she wanted a fight. Pearce made a street fight for the title next week in Philadelphia.

********

Royal Rumble card (start time 2 pm ET/11 am PT):

AJ Styles vs. Gunther with Styles’ career on the line
Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Sami Zayn for the WWE Championship
30 Woman Royal Rumble match
30 Man Royal Rumble match

********

The Vision met backstage to discuss what their plan was now that they were all in the Rumble. Logan got up and said they should go into the match with one goal and one vision. He said they should ensure a victory for one man: Bron Breakker. Reed and Theory were both in full agreement. (Breakker had no discernible reaction to this.)

********

There was an Oba Femi video package. He will be in the Rumble.

World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. AJ Styles

There were modest duelling chants as they got started, and each man went for their finishers early on, but a series of counters led to Styles applying a cradle for two. Punk got the better of their next exchange and hit Styles with an elbow and chop to the upper back. Styles came back with a dropkick. Punk fell outside, and Styles nailed a sliding knee.

Styles was in control through a break until Punk whipped him hard into the corner after the break. The crowd chanted for tables. Punk followed with a neckbreaker, a lifting knee strike, a bulldog, and a shining wizard for two. Styles came back with a series of strikes, a running forearm, and a corner splash, but Punk fired right back with a clothesline for two.

Styles blocked a GTS and followed with a fireman’s carry neckbreaker for two. Punk knocked Styles off the middle turnbuckle and hit a flying elbow drop for two. Punk immediately applied an Anaconda Vice until Styles countered out of it. Styles tried setting up for a Styles Clash, but Punk drove him into the turnbuckles.

Punk tried a shining wizard again, but Styles caught him and set up a Styles Clash. Punk avoided it again, so Styles dumped him from the ring. Punk blocked a sliding knee and hit a GTS (outside the ring). Punk initially tried getting Styles into the ring, but it was taking too long, so Punk slipped back into the ring at an eight count, while Styles got in at nine.

Styles was down selling, and Punk wasn’t sure what to do next, so Styles suddenly caught him in a Styles Clash for a nearfall. Styles went for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Punk knocked him off the top rope. They exchanged strikes until Styles hit a Pelé Kick.

Styles tried setting up the Clash again before Punk got him on his shoulders to try a GTS. Styles held the top rope, and as the two men struggled for position, Finn Bálor suddenly popped in the ring and dropkicked Punk into the corner (knocking Styles out of the ring) for the DQ.

Bálor dropkicked Punk into the barricade and gave him a Coup de Grace in the ring. Punk rolled to his side, so Bálor hit the Coup de Grace again, this time on his ribs. Bálor hit the move one more time and stood tall as the show ended.

Match result: CM Punk vs. AJ Styles ended in a disqualification — Punk retains the World Heavyweight Championship (18:11)

Shinsuke Nakamura potentially spoils AJ Styles vs. Gunther result

Posted on January 25, 2026January 25, 2026 by Ian Carey

Shinsuke Nakamura may have spoiled the result of AJ Styles vs. Gunther at the WWE Royal Rumble.

Following Nakamura and Styles’ match at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event in Montreal, Nakamura posted a statement to Instagram about his longtime rival. In the since-deleted post, Nakamura mentioned that Styles previously told him that he plans to retire at this year’s Royal Rumble.

“During last year’s Australia tour, at a house show in Melbourne, AJ gave a speech after the match. Listening to it, it was clear he was thanking the fans. But somehow, it also felt like he was hinting that retirement might not be that far away. The tour continued to Japan, and before the shows there, I asked him something. We were in a van on the way to the meet and greet. I asked him, ‘When are you going to retire’ He answered, ‘The Royal Rumble. I’ve already decided.'”

Styles’ career will be on the line when he wrestles Gunther on the January 31 event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Should it be his final match with WWE, it would mark 10 years from his debut in the company, which took place at the 2016 Royal Rumble.

Nakamura’s post is no longer published on Instagram. However, fans online have captured screenshots of it below:

🚨| Shinsuke Nakamura just confirmed that AJ Styles is indeed retiring at the Royal Rumble next week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“I asked him, ‘When are you going to retire?’ He answered, ‘At the Royal Rumble. I’ve already decided.’” pic.twitter.com/6gCvPGzRgc
— EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B) January 25, 2026

https://twitter.com/AnnetteReid247/status/2015345780916203862

The full text of Nakamura’s post reads:

“During last year’s Australia tour, at a house show in Melbourne, AJ gave a speech after the match.

Listening to it, it was clear he was thanking the fans. But somehow, it also felt like he was hinting that retirement might not be that far away.

The tour continued to Japan, and before the shows there, I asked him something.

We were in a van on the way to the meet and greet.

I asked him,

“When are you going to retire?”

He answered,

“The Royal Rumble. I’ve already decided.”

Me…

…!!!

Whether I actually said it out loud or just thought it for a split second, I’m not sure. But I remember it clearly.

“Before you retire, I want to wrestle you one more time.”

AJ nodded.

Before the match started, he showed me something he had written on his phone.

It was a message he wanted to say to the Japanese fans.

He asked me to turn it into proper Japanese.

It talked about his anxiety and excitement when he first came to Japan,

and his gratitude toward Japan for accepting him.

It was, without question, a farewell message.

As his voice, I gave that speech in Japanese, putting as much emotion into it as I possibly could.

That was the moment when his retirement finally started to feel real to me.

Even though it was still a little further down the road compared to guys like Cena or Tanahashi,

I found myself imagining the enormous sense of loss that would eventually come.

Ten years ago.

2016. Tokyo Dome.

It was our first ever singles match.

That match was later praised all over the world, and not long after, we both left New Japan Pro Wrestling and came to WWE.

We never talked about our futures with each other.

I think we just happened to make huge decisions at the same time.

In America, I was just pushing forward without thinking.

I finished NXT and reunited with AJ on the main roster.

AJ, on the other hand, took over WWE like a fish in water.

He brought a new wind everywhere he went.

And honestly, I remember thinking, “Yeah, that figures.”

Our reunion moment at Money in the Bank,

my Royal Rumble victory,

and then our singles match at WrestleMania.

I don’t think any of that would have happened if AJ hadn’t pushed it.

I still have some regrets about what happened after our WrestleMania match,

but the final match of that rivalry, our singles match at Money in the Bank in Detroit,

is actually one of my favorite matches ever so.

He’s straightforward, easy to read, and impossible to hate.

His everyday clothes are terrible, and he’s got that Southern American accent.

What a lovely American.

And yet, when it comes to professional wrestling,

his balance of expression and technique is the best in the world.

Truly one of a kind.

I don’t say it out loud, but I rely on him.

I respect him.

And even though we don’t actually know each other as deeply as people might think,

to me, he’s special. Almost like a brother and a best friend, in my own way.

And now…

our final match awaits.

My last chance to give him the perfect send off.

Do your best, me.

And pro wrestling gods, please be kind.”

AJ Styles, Gunther segments announced for WWE Raw

Posted on January 23, 2026January 23, 2026 by Bryan Rose

New segments have been announced for Raw.

It was announced on Friday that AJ Styles will speak on Monday just days prior to his match against Gunther at the Royal Rumble. It was also revealed that Gunther will be interviewed.

The two will meet at the Royal Rumble after Gunther won their first encounter. Styles demanded a second match, but The Ring General refused. It wasn’t until Styles offered to put up his career that Gunther eventually agreed.

On Friday’s SmackDown, GM Nick Aldis asked Styles why he would agree to such a stipulation. Styles explained his reasons, saying that while he accepted Gunther beating John Cena, he was tired of the disrespect that came following it. Aldis then revealed he had another reason for bringing Styles to SmackDown: Shinsuke Nakamura. The two rivals met face-to-face and agreed to a match for Saturday Night’s Main Event.

WWE Raw (January 26):

Bron Breakker returns from suspension
Four-way number one contender’s match for World Tag Team titles: The New Day vs. American Made vs. American Alpha vs. Los Americanos
AJ Styles to speak
Gunther to be interviewed

Pat McAfee reacts to ‘WWE: Unreal’ clip, says facing Gunther was an honor

Posted on January 21, 2026January 29, 2026 by Joseph Currier

Despite initially being skeptical of the concept, Pat McAfee has enjoyed the inside look that “WWE: Unreal” provides.

Season two of the docuseries arrived on Netflix this week with the first episode spotlighting McAfee as he prepared for his Backlash 2025 match against Gunther. One of the most talked about clips online has been a writers’ room discussion over who should win the match. Bruce Prichard said Gunther winning would be too predictable, but writer Jonathan Baeckstrom pushed back against a McAfee victory, explaining why it would be hard to move forward with Gunther after losing to a color commentator.

McAfee responded to the clip by sharing that he didn’t love the concept of “Unreal” when he first heard about it. But he’s “actually enjoyed” the series and is looking forward to showing it to his children and grandchildren one day, though he joked that he might not let them see this specific discussion about why Gunther should beat him.

‘Twas an absolute honor to get to share the ring with The Ring General

I, like many lifelong marks, didn’t love the #WWEUnreal concept when I heard of it.. I enjoy the suspension of belief and the magic of escape thru professional wrestling. I thought that would get ruined for… https://t.co/Vkf1z6CAkG
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 21, 2026

“‘Twas an absolute honor to get to share the ring with The Ring General,” McAfee wrote.

“I, like many lifelong marks, didn’t love the #WWEUnreal concept when I heard of it.. I enjoy the suspension of belief and the magic of escape thru professional wrestling. I thought that would get ruined for the next generation of fans.. TBD but, I have a funny suspicion that professional wrestling is always gonna be a-ok.. when it’s done right, there’s not much better ENTERTAINMENT.

“What I’ve realized is I’ve actually enjoyed learning how the sausage is actually made.. I hope the show does good for the business.

“I’m thankful I’ll be able to show my kids and grandkids that I was lucky to do really cool things.. this particular scene will probably not be shown to them [laughs] but; the rest of the episode was really cool to re-live.”

Gunther did end up defeating McAfee at the PLE, which is the most recent time McAfee has competed in the ring. McAfee has been absent from his WWE commentary role since June 2025 due to feeling exhausted and like he had hit a wall with all the work he was doing. He hosts a show on ESPN every weekday and also contributes to the network’s college football coverage.

On “Unreal,” Paul “Triple H” Levesque said he believes a lot of people view McAfee as the face of WWE.

Triple H feels Pat McAfee ‘is the face of WWE to a lot of people’

Posted on January 20, 2026 by Josh Nason

The first episode of WWE Unreal’s second season was heavily focused on the relationship between Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch but also had a lot on the Pat McAfee match with Gunther at last year’s Backlash.

Leading into the match, Paul “Triple H” Levesque was asked about McAfee who he called “the face of WWE to a lot of people.”

Part of the story of how the match was made was to do something new following WrestleMania 41 which creative member Bruce Prichard admitted was a “pain in the ass” to figure out.

The episode showed the lead-up when Gunther attacked McAfee and choked him out with footage showing Levesque telling the referee via their earpiece for McAfee to “keep selling” the attack as he was walking backstage as the cameras were still on him.

It came to the match itself and Levesque reminding McAfee to breathe and take it slow out there and that Gunther (who he called Walter) would work around him if he needed a break. Levesque asked Gunther if he knew how he was going to end things to which he replied that he wasn’t sure but would figure it out.

McAfee lost in the match with Unreal showing just how much communication there is between the production team and the referee with them instructing the ref to inform McAfee when to fight to his feet and what else he should be doing.

McAfee admitted to the cameras that, “I am green as sh*t in that business., That’s why you’ll never hear me say, ‘Yeah, I’m good out there.” You’ll hear me say I’m f*cking proud,” adding he isn’t sure how many matches he has left and takes each one at at time.”

The second season of Unreal is now available in full on Netflix.

AJ Styles to put career on line at WWE Royal Rumble

Posted on January 19, 2026January 19, 2026 by Joseph Currier

AJ Styles is set to retire at some point in 2026 — and that could potentially happen as soon as the Royal Rumble.

WWE has announced that Gunther vs. Styles will take place at the Saturday, January 31 PLE in Saudi Arabia. It’s a career-threatening match where Styles will retire if he loses. He agreed to the stipulation after it was proposed by Gunther as the only way that Gunther would accept another match after how things ended on Raw last week.

The January 12 Raw episode was headlined by Gunther defeating Styles after hitting a low blow and powerbomb. Gunther had tricked Styles into thinking the match was over by tapping out in a Calf Crusher behind the referee’s back. With Styles letting go of the hold, Gunther was able to pick up the victory soon after.

A promo segment then opened Raw today with Styles attempting to goad Gunther into a rematch by calling him scared. Gunther would not give in, saying there was no incentive for him to face Styles again. But he then came up with the idea for Styles to put his career on the line. He gave Styles the rest of the show to think about his answer. After talking it over with his wife, Styles revealed his decision.

IT'S OFFICIAL @AJStylesOrg will put his career on the line against Gunther at the Royal Rumble pic.twitter.com/8TyckrKbDY
— WWE (@WWE) January 19, 2026

“She said exactly what I was thinking — kick his ass,” Styles said as the matchup was made official.

Gunther has already retired Goldberg and John Cena and will now be looking to do the same to Styles. In their storyline, Styles has taken exception to how Gunther has acted so disrespectfully after defeating Cena.

The Royal Rumble is being held in Riyadh on January 31 and has a start time of 2 p.m. Eastern. Gunther will be pulling double duty on the show with him also confirmed as one of the men’s Rumble entrants.

Here is the updated card:

WWE Royal Rumble 2026 —

Men’s Royal Rumble match
Women’s Royal Rumble match
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defends against either Randy Orton, Damian Priest, Sami Zayn, or Trick Williams (will be determined at Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 24)
Gunther vs. AJ Styles (Styles forced to retire if he loses)

WWE Raw live results: CM Punk vs. Finn Balor World Heavyweight title match

Posted on January 19, 2026January 19, 2026 by Steve Khan

Date: January 19, 2026
Location: SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland

The Big Takeaway —

AJ Styles will put his career on the line at the Royal Rumble in a singles match against Gunther. Gunther will be pulling double duty as he declared for the Rumble match. Several other women and men also declared for their respective Rumble matches.

CM Punk retained the World Championship against Finn Bálor, while Becky Lynch retained the Women’s Intercontinental Championship over Maxxine Dupri after Natalya turned on Dupri.

Je’Von suffered an injury, and his match with El Grande Americano was cut short due to a medical stoppage.

Plus, Adam Pearce invited the suspended Bron Breakker to Raw next week to talk things out.

**********

Show Recap —

Michael Cole announced a sold-out crowd in Belfast, which hosts its first-ever WWE live broadcast.

CM Punk, Finn Bálor, Maxxine Dupri and Alpha Academy, El Grande Americano and friends, and Penta, Dragon Lee and Rey Mysterio were shown arriving at the arena. Bálor got a big pop.

The show kicked off with a big fireworks display, which doesn’t often happen.

Gunther opens Monday Night Raw in Belfast

They showed a replay of Gunther tapping on purpose last week to escape AJ Styles’ submission and ultimately win the match. Cole admitted it was a brilliant move.

Gunther entered and was booed and greeted with chants of, “You tapped out.” He was in a good mood as usual lately, and he told the fans to calm down.

Gunther said Styles made a mistake last week by being singularly focused on trying to make him tap out, because he was in the ring with the greatest wrestler in the company, the greatest Intercontinental Champion ever, a two-time World champion, the man who retired Goldberg, and the man who made John Cena tap out.

His success would lead him straight back to the World title, and he declared himself for the Royal Rumble.

AJ Styles entered to a huge reaction. Styles knew Gunther wanted to move on, but Styles didn’t. Styles challenged him to a rematch at the Royal Rumble. (The fans actually cheered even though he didn’t make the challenge for tonight.)

Gunther said he would win the Rumble and didn’t plan on pulling double duty. He said no.

Styles accused him of being scared. Styles said Gunter didn’t beat him—he beat himself. Styles showed him mercy when he should have ripped his leg off, but remember—Gunther tapped out like a little bitch. Styles accused him of being scared, and the crowd chanted, “Little bitch.”

Gunther said he proved he was the better and smarter wrestler. There was no incentive to do it again, so his answer was still no. The crowd kept chanting, so Gunther returned to the ring. The fans called him a wanker.

Gunther had an idea. He would agree to a rematch only if Styles put his career on the line. Gunther told him to think if that was a hill he was willing to die on, but he wanted an answer by the end of tonight.

********

Natalya approached Maxxine Durpi as she was warming up backstage. Dupri was thrilled to see her. Natalya wanted to be in Dupri’s corner against Becky Lynch, so we didn’t get a replay of what happened last time. Dupri was happy to hear it.

Becky Lynch entered. She cut a promo during a commercial break. She was happy to be back and be reminded of why she left. The weather and the food were awful. It was fine for the locals, but she was rich and famous. Her stepfather was actually from there, but he was smart enough to move to Dublin.

She knew they were going through hard times, so she offered to be their hero. Unlike Rory McIlroy, she wouldn’t lose on the final hole. She was the greatest of all time, and everyone was saying it, including America.

Intercontinental Championship match: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Maxxine Dupri (w/ Natalya)

This was their fifth singles match against one another since October. In fact, Lynch has not wrestled anyone else in a singles match since August.

All three women (Natalya included) wore predominantly red gear.

Dupri had the edge early on, but Lynch quickly took control as they went to an early break. Dupri fired back after the break with a clothesline, a boot, a corner splash, boots in the corner, and a fisherman’s suplex. Dupri dropped her straps and hit a big leg drop on Lynch’s back for a two count.

They traded cradles after Dupri blocked a Man-handle Slam before Lynch applied a Disarmer, but Dupri countered out of it and applied an ankle lock. Lynch countered that into a rollup for two. They battled on the ropes until Lynch hit a superplex, followed by a DDT for two.

Lynch removed the top turnbuckle cover, but Dupri caught her in a schoolboy for two. Dupri followed with a German suplex and a flying crossbody, but Lynch countered her cover into a cover of her own for two.

Dupri countered the Man-handle slam and (slowly) countered into an ankle lock. Lynch kicked Dupri toward the corner, but Dupri managed to avoid hitting the exposed buckle. Lynch charged at Dupri, but Dupri moved, and Lynch bounced off the exposed buckle.

Dupri hit a spinning heel kick (she missed completely, actually) and made the cover, but Natalya placed Lynch’s foot on the bottom rope to break up the cover. Dupri was stunned.

Dupri went after Lynch, but Lynch caught her with the Man-Handle Slam for the pinfall win.

— Natalya attacked and attacked and attacked Dupri after the match, and placed her in a Sharpshooter. Dupri tapped before a referee broke it up. They cut back to Cole for a moment before cutting back to the ring because Natalya attacked Dupri again.

Match result: Becky Lynch defeated Maxxine Dupri to retain the Women’s Intercontinental Championship (11:34)

This match was ok. Dupri looked better than usual, at least until the end. It helps that she’s been wrestling the same person over and over again, but this was presumably the last time, and she’ll have to wrestle someone else eventually.

The post-match didn’t get a ton of heat. The fans only care somewhat about Dupri, and they cared even less about Natalya.

********

Backstage, Adam Pearce told Styles to think strongly about Gunther’s challenge. Styles said he would go speak to his wife.

Paul Heyman approached Pearce, and Pearce reminded him that Bron Breakker was suspended. Pearce told Heyman that The Vision better be on their best behaviour tonight. Pearce also told Heyman he would be out there for their six-man match tonight, and Heyman wasn’t thrilled to hear it.

********

Cathy Kelley interviewed the Americanos during a break. El Grande said Je’Von Evans’ luck would run out tonight against the greatest luchador of all time. After the interview, Kelley told the audience it was time for more action. She was wrong.

There was a video package for the Punk vs. Bálor world title match.

Judgment Day (minus Dominik and JD McDonagh) met backstage, and they were excited about the possibility of them all becoming champions. Liv Morgan admitted to Roxanne Perez that she didn’t like her at first, but now they were friends, and they would become tag team champions. Bálor said they were on his island tonight, and he was not leaving her without the title belt.

********

Jey Uso entered the crowd (no Jimmy Uso again). He and Jimmy were still focused on the tag titles, but he excitedly declared himself for the Royal Rumble. He planned on becoming a back-to-back Rumble winner. He told Jimmy and Trinity (Naomi) he loved them and issued a warning to the locker room.

It was time for more talking. New Day and Grayson Waller accosted Pearce backstage. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods said they flew all the way over on MLK Day, their favourite holiday, to challenge The Usos for the tag titles, but instead, Jey was out there declaring himself for the Rumble.

Pearce told them they would be in a four-way next week to determine the next challengers for the tag titles. Kingston and Woods were pissed.

*******

The show’s second match started 55 minutes in, and about 20 minutes after the last match ended.

Six-man tag team match: Rey Mysterio, Penta & Dragon Lee vs. Logan Paul, Bronson Reed & Austin Theory (w/ Paul Heyman)

Pearce sat ringside to watch the match.

Logan received a lot of heat. Mysterio got a big reaction when he tagged in (Penta got a nice reaction too). There was a cool dive spot to send us to break. Mysterio hit Paul with an Asai moonsault while Penta and Dragon Lee simultaneously wiped out Reed and Theory with flip dives. However, the Vision took control during the break when Reed clotheslined Dragon from the apron as Theory distracted the referee.

After a break, Dragon avoided a Reed leg drop, but Reed knocked Mysterio and Penta off the apron before he could even attempt a tag. Reed hit a powerslam, but Mysterio and Penta broke up the cover. Dragon avoided a senton and Theory tagged in, so Dragon gave him a hurricanrana and made a hot tag to Mysterio.

Mysterio kicked Theory’s leg out of his leg before hitting a hurricanrana and ten punches in the corner, but Theory blocked a 619. Penta made a blind tag and hit a Penta Driver, but Reed broke up the cover. Everyone traded moves, and Mysterio tried a sliding dive to the outside, but Logan caught him and bounced him off the barricade. Dragon and Penta took out Logan with a double baseball slide.

Penta and Dragon knocked Reed out of the ring with superkicks, and Dragon wiped out Reed with a dive. Theory gave Penta a package neckbreaker for two.

Heyman went on the apron to distract the referee, so Pearce yelled at him (which also distracted the referee). Pearce showed the ref that Logan handed Theory brass knuckles, and Pearce took them away. Heyman got too close to Pearce, so Pearce backed him up the ramp.

After all the commotion, the brass knux were left on the apron, so Mysterio grabbed them. Logan tried to warn the ref, but that distraction allowed Mysterio to punch Theory.

Penta superkicked Logan and gave Theory a Canadian Destroyer for the pinfall win. (So after all those angles, Theory took the loss here.)

Match result: Penta, Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee defeated Austin Theory, Bronson Reed & Logan Paul (15:02)

********

CM Punk interview

Jackie Redmond interviewed CM Punk backstage. Punk got a big reaction, even if it may have been a little mixed. Redmond asked how Punk would deal with facing Bálor in Ireland. Punk said he would deal with it by being the best in the world. He was playing an away game, but he wanted the game on his stick in overtime. This pressure is what he wanted to prove he was the best in the world, and not just in the United States. The same pressure that made him the best in the world would break Bálor.

********

There was a Martin Luther King Jr. Day video set to ‘Ain’t No Better Time’ by Chris Pierce.

********

Kingston and Woods were interviewed in the crowd during a break. Woods noted that Styles was the former tag champion and wasn’t even trying to win the title back, while Jimmy Uso, the current champion, wasn’t even there.

Heyman approached Pearce backstage. He said Pearce was the best GM in Raw history, but we’ll miss him when he’s gone. Pearce asked if that was a threat. Heyman said no, and he left as Pearce took a phone call. (Heyman advised him to take the call when he saw the phone.)

********

Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY / Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez segment

Ripley and Sky entered, and Ripley welcomed us to Monday Night Rhiyo. Sky said they would show Morgan and Perez that Rhiyo was always on top. Ripley announced that, after retaining their titles, they would both enter the Royal Rumble.

Morgan and Perez interrupted. Morgan warned Sky that Ripley would turn on her. Morgan knew this because it happened to her. Ripley would let her selfishness take over. Morgan laughed because that wasn’t really her problem.

Perez announced that all three Judgment Day women would also enter the Rumble, which meant one of them was headlining WrestleMania.

Ripley laughed. She wondered how that would work (since they can’t all win it — even though the same could be said about her and Sky). Before she could elaborate, she was blindsided by Raquel Rodriguez. The three Judgment Day women laid out Ripley and Sky. Ripley tried fighting back, but Morgan laid her out with Oblivion.

********

Bayley was talking to herself backstage when she was approached by Lyra Valkyria. Valkyria said she was having a hard time staying positive lately. She hated losing and felt like she was letting her friend down. (It seemed like Valkyria was being a downer on purpose to get Bayley to fire up. It worked.)

Bayley got excited and psyched up Valkyria. She said the Rumble was up next, which meant one of them could headline WrestleMania. They were both excited about the possibility of winning the Rumble, and Bayley gave Valkyria a big hug.

*******

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

Je’Von Evans may have gotten injured.

Evans hit a springboard clothesline ahead of a break. El Grande stalled by posing around ringside. He finally got back in the ring, but referee Jessika Carr held him off.

Evans wound up outside the ring after the break. He seemed to favour his arm or shoulder, and he was checked by the doctor. They called the match off and declared El Grande the winner because Evans couldn’t continue. The doctor and Carr walked with Evans to the back.

I went back and re-watched the match. There was a miscommunication where El Grande headbutted Evans by accident up high, seemingly on the shoulder, so that may have been it. Evans continued briefly before the springboard clothesline, which was the last physical spot.

Match result: El Grande Americano defeated Je’Von Evans via medical stoppage (6:22)

********

Finn Bálor interview

Redmond interviewed Bálor backstage. Bálor said the magnitude of tonight was not lost on him, but perhaps it was lost on Punk. He respected that Punk was a fighting champion, but he questioned Punk’s judgment. They were on Bálor’s turf, on his island, in front of his people, and tonight in Belfast, there would be a new Irish World Heavyweight Champion. The crowd popped big for this.

********

There was a video package for Oba Femi.

Pearce approached The Vision backstage. Pearce told Heyman he wanted Breakker on Raw next week. Heyman figured he was lifting the suspension. Pearce said he wanted to speak to Breakker face-to-face. Heyman said he would be doing the same thing if he got the same phone call Pearce got earlier. Pearce said it had nothing to do with the call—he just wanted to talk to Breakker man-to-man. Heyman was dismissive and told Pearce to be on his best behaviour. The Vision left.

Styles approached Pearce next. Styles said his wife told him exactly what he was thinking: kick Gunther’s ass. He accepted Gunther’s challenge. Pearce made it official: Styles vs. Gunther at the Rumble with Styles’ career on the line.

********

An angry Asuka confronted Kairi Sane in the locker room. Asuka said Sane embarrassed her last week. Sane lost their titles, and she lost last week. This hurt almost as much as Sky turning on her. Sane apologized and promised to ensure Asuka would win the Rumble. Sane would do anything. Asuka called her a good girl and said, “Don’t make me yell at you again.”

********

World Heavyweight Championship match: CM Punk (c) vs. Finn Bálor

Punk entered to a big reaction, and the fans sang his song. They cut to break as he made his full entrance. Once he was in the ring, he smiled while telling a fan to get in the ring after he puts Bálor to sleep. He told the fan he would kick him in the teeth and put him to sleep, too.

Bálor entered last and entered to his original theme song. He got a huge reaction during the in-ring introductions. Punk was cheered during his entrance but was booed during intros.

This had a big-match feel to it, despite Bálor not having a televised win since September.

They wrestled back-and-forth, and there were duelling chants (louder for Bálor) until Punk nailed a suicide dive, sending Bálor over the announce table. Punk posed on the announce table to a chorus of boos as they went to break. Bálor avoided a count-out, but Punk took control.

Punk hit a lifting knee strike and a bulldog after the break for two. Bálor fought back, and they traded strikes until Bálor hit a Pelé Kick. Bálor continued with chops, shots to the midsection, and a headlock elbow drop for two.

Bálor set up for Coup de Grace, but Punk met him on the top rope and hit a superplex. Before Punk could make a cover, Bálor caught him in a small package for two. Punk fired right back with a clothesline.

Bálor dumped Punk from the ring and hit a flip dive. Back in the ring, Bálor hit a shotgun dropkick, but Punk dodged the Coup de Grace. The crowd booed as Punk hit a GTS, but Bálor kicked out, and the fans popped. Punk hit a few elbow drops before applying the Anaconda Vice, but Bálor got a rope break.

Bálor fought out of a GTS and followed with a slingblade, two shotgun dropkicks, and a Coup de Grace for a nearfall. Punk went for a GTS again, but Bálor countered into a rollup for two.

Bálor went after Punk, but Punk used a single leg takedown, rolled over to his feet and hit a GTS for the pinfall win. Punk retains.

— Punk helped Bálor to his feet after the match. He had a few words for Bálor before raising his hand. The fans applauded. Punk hugged Bálor, who nodded at Punk before leaving the ring.

Punk posed for the cheering fans as Bálor watched from ringside.

Match result: CM Punk defeated Finn Bálor to retain the World Heavyweight Championship (16:14)

This was a pretty good TV title match, though nothing you need to go out of your way to see. It was laid out exactly as you’d expect, and it never, ever, felt like Bálor would win despite the crowd’s enthusiasm. It’s fine doing matches like this on TV, but it would’ve been nice if they gave Bálor more steam going into it. It’s not like they didn’t know Belfast was on the calendar.

Fight Game: Powerhouse Hobbs leaves AEW, our own WWE draft

Posted on January 16, 2026 by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and Garrett Gonzales return with a brand-new Fight Game to discuss some of the most interesting topics in pro wrestling.

We gave out our thumbs up and thumbs down for the week while talking about Powerhouse Hobbs and the two big main events on WWE Raw and AEW Dynamite.

Then, Keila Cash and Scott Young from The WRAP joined us for the first ever Fight Game WWE Draft.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

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

Posted on January 12, 2026January 12, 2026 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 on John Cena’s final match finish: ‘I thought it was beautiful’

Posted on January 6, 2026 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.