WWE RAW RESULTS (1/5): Keller’s report on CM Punk vs. Breakker, Durpi vs. Becky Lynch, Kabuki Warriors vs. Ripley & Sky, Liv vs. Lyra

By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor


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WWE RAW RESULTS
JANUARY 5, 2026
BROOKLYN, N.Y. AT BARCLAYS CENTER
STREAMED LIVE ON NETFLIX
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR

Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

Ring Announcer: Samantha Irvin

Attendance: WrestleTix reports at showtime that 13,408 tickets were distributed; arena set up for 13,547. The arena has a capacity of 20,000 spectators when configured for concerts. The last time WWE was in the venue, for a Raw on Aug. 4, 2025, it drew 11,219.


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PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by PWTorch contributor Chris Griffin to review WWE Raw LIVE. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Raw during the show.

Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Raw. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.

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[HOUR ONE]

-They opened with a scene of the New York City skyline and then panned over to Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. as Michael Cole introduced the show. They then went to the arena where they tipped the Raw logo upside down and then Cole and Corey Graves stepped out of a 1980s van as part of the “Stranger Things” crossover theme for the show that also included a “Surfer Boy” pizza truck. Graves said WWE was joining forces with the hottest show in the world for one night. They showed The Vision backstage, then C.M. Punk, then The Judgment Day, then Lyra Valkyria and Bayley, Maxxine Dupri, and Becky Lynch. Cole called Becky “jealous and bitter and full of conspiracy theories.”

(Keller’s Analysis: The visuals and music with the set pieces tied in with “Stranger Things” was all well done and cool, but lacking any discernible purpose. I’m not sure that matters, but it kind of feels like a cool new phone wallpaper theme done for novelty only.)

(1) THE KABUKI WARRIORS (Iyo Sky & Asuka) vs. RHEA RIPLEY & IYO SKY – WWE Tag Team Title match

Cole said that the Kabuki Warriors didn’t have momentum tonight since Kairi Sane was pinned by Iyo Sky on Smackdown on Friday. Graves said it’s important for the Warriors to put that behind them. Cole said they had a sellout of 14,728. The bell rang 9 minutes into the hour. Cole talked about the history of Asuka, Sky, and Kairi. Ripley flipped off the ring apron onto Asuka and Kairi a minute in and they cut to an early break. [c]

Back from the break, Asuka was in control. Asuka and Sky avoided Ripley’s cannonball dive off the ring apron. Asuka then stood with her boot on Ripley and gloated. Cole plugged scheduled matches including what he called “the biggest match of Bron Breakker’s career.” Asuka and Iyo tagged in at 7:00. Graves mentioned the retirement of Hiroshi Tanahashi after Sky hit a signature move. Sky played to the crowd and charged at Asuka in the corner, but Asuka countered. Sky snapped Asuka’s neck over the top rope. Kairi yanked on Sky’s boot as the ref’s back was turned. Kairi leaped off the top rope and stomped on Sky’s back. They cut to another break. [c]

Kairi had Sky in a submission hold after the break at 11:00. Sky escaped and hot-tagged in Ripley. Ripley got in some offense and then tagged in Sky who landed a missile dropkick and scored a near fall. Ripley tagged back in and landed a Riptide. Asuka shoved Ripley into Sky in the corner and then gave her a Code Breaker. Kairi draped her arm over Ripley for a two count.

Asuka gave Ripley a German suplex; she shouted “Oh shit!” as Asuka was lifting her for it. Ripley kicked out at two. Kairi leaped off the top rope with a top rope elbowdrop. Ripley broke up the cover (3 out of 5). Ripley leaped and tagged Sky back in. Asuka surprised her with a small package for a two count. She followed up with a backslide for a two count. Sky fought back and tagged in Ripley who landed a Riptide. Sky landed a moonsault. Sky leaped onto Kairi through the ropes as Ripley scored the three count on Asuka. Cole said, “I told you strange things were going to happen tonight.”

WINNERS: Ripley & Sky in 17:00 to capture the WWE Tag Team Titles.

(Keller’s Analysis: Really good action throughout. I think this contributes to whatever story leads to an eventual match where Ripley tries to finally get a singles win over Sky. How and when they get there, I don’t know. In the mean time, they’re a very popular tag team and it’s nice to see them in the record books as champions together.)

-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside who reacted to the title change before shifting to a music video style preview for C.M. Punk vs. Bron Breakker.

-Raw G.M. Adam Pearce congratulated Sky & Ripley on their win backstage. He then ran into Gunther and told him to mix in some respect with his gloating about his win over John Cena. Gunther laughed and walked away and then through Gorilla and the curtain to the entrance stage. He showed off his t-shirt that shows him making Cena tap out with the words: “Tap like a…”

-Cole got in some plugs.

-Gunther stood in the ring as he absorbed boos from the audience. He said management wanted him to show more respect. Fans chanted “You tapped out!” at Gunther. Gunther laughed. “What about some respect for me?” he said. “Respect for the man who made John Cena do the one thing he said he’d never do. Respect for the man who made John Cena tap out like a little…” at which point the music for A.J. Styles interrupted.

When Styles arrived in the ring, Gunther told him he is punching above his weight. He warned him that he is the greatest wrestler in WWE today because he is the man who made Cena tap out like a little “you know what, A.J.” When Styles tried to talk, Gunther interrupted and talked over him and said, “Like a little bitch!” He said, “What is little A.J. going to do about it?” Styles slapped Gunther. Gunther turned back to Styles. Styles said, “That’s what I thought. Nothing.” Gunther was fuming. Styles shoved the mic into Gunther’s chest, dropped it, and left.

-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside. Cole threw to a video package on the Maxxine Dupri vs. Becky Lynch match.

-Becky made her entrance. [c]

-Gunther approached Adam Pearce and demanded a match with Styles. Styles then showed up and said it looks like he went to the boss to complain. Gunther said he wants Styles next week. Styles said he’d take his head off. Pearce said it’s official.

(2) MAXXINE DUPRI vs. BECKY LYNCH – Intercontinental Title match

The bell rang 52 minutes into the hour. Becky went on the attack early. Maxxine rolled Becky into ankle lock. Becky grabbed the bottom rope right away. They stood and reset. Graves said Becky believes Maxxine is beneath her. Maxxine landed a Thesz Press. Becky rolled to the floor. Maxxine cartwheeled on the ring apron and leaped at Becky. Becky ducked, but Maxxine landed a big boot. She pounded her chest as they cut to a break at 2:00. [c]

Maxxine broke out of a Disarm Her and rolled up Becky for a two count. Maxxine landed three cloth4eslines, a corner splash, and a fisherman’s suplex and then kipped up. She let out a yell. Some fans cheered. She followed with a running knee and a spinning wheel kick for a two count. Maxxine leaped off the top rope, but Becky moved. Maxxine took Becky down and applied an anklelock. Becky pulled herself to the bottom rope to force a break.

[HOUR TWO]

Maxxine rolled up Becky for a two count and then applied another anklelock. Becky countered into a Disarm Her. Maxxine rolled through into a standing anklelock again. Becky forced a break again. Maxxine climbed to the top rope again, but Becky caught her up there and then superplexed her. Becky landed a DDT for a two count at 8:00.

Becky went for a Manhandle Slam. Maxxine blocked it. Becky grew frustrated and then applied her own standing anklelock. Maxxine rolled out of it. Maxxine landed a German suplex and then leaped off the top rope with a crossbody for a near fall. They battled on the top rope next. Becky slipped down and set up a powerbomb, but Maxxine countered into an anklelock mid-ring. Becky teased tapping, but then leveraged back and held onto the rope to get a three count. Cole said she “just stole the championship.”

WINNER: Lynch in 12:00 to regain the Intercontinental Title. [c]

-An Oba Femi vignette aired.

-They showed Bron Breakker warming up backstage with The Vision.

-They showed Stephanie Vaquer in a walking boot backstage. The Creed Brothers were shown goofing around in a “Scoops Ahoy” boat on wheels.

-A preview aired of “WWE Unreal.” They showed Paul Heyman saying he didn’t like this show because he grew up in an era where you protect the secrets. They also revealed that the Seth Rollins fake injury would be a big part of the show, as would R-Truth being let go. Also, Naomi speaks about walking out on WWE. Paul Levesque talked about the monumental challenge to “build up storylines.”

-Cole then called WWE Unreal “critically acclaimed” and plugged its premiere date in two weeks.

-Jimmy and Jey Uso made their entrance through the concourse into the crowd. Graves said it “just feels right” seeing them with tag team gold. They cut a promo from the bleachers. Jey said they appreciated the battle with Styles & Dragon Lee. Jimmy said that was last week and last year. Jey said 2026 is the year of the Usos. Jimmy said they’re the best tag team in the game and asked anyone to step up. Jey said they can find them on Raw.

-Jackie Redmond introduced Stephanie Vaquer who made her ring entrance while wearing a walking boot. Cole said she suffered an ankle injury last week. Redmond told her 2025 was amazing for her, but asked, “What now?” She said no injury will stop her. Raquel Rodriguez jumped her from behind. She attacked her injured ankle. Graves said she was trying to end her career. She delivered a Tejana Bomb. As she continued on the attack, Pearce and other officials intervened. [c]

-Cole and Graves commented on a replay of the Rodriguez attack on Vaquer.

-Backstage, two men were helping Vaquer walk, but she was wincing. Raquel attacked her again. Pearce ran in and threatened to fine her “until you’ve got nothing left.”

-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside. They commented on clips of Austin Theory vs. Rey Mysterio last week.

-Rey told Dragon Lee backstage he has come a long way and he will be champion again some day. Lee thanked him and left. Penta walked in and said Theory has no respect for Rey or Lucha Libre. Rey said he has been dealing with Theory and Logan Paul, and he knows Penta has his back because understands and respects the tradition of Lucha Libre and that The Vision wants to destroy it. Penta said he can rely on him.

(3) LYRA VALKYRIA (w/Bayley) vs. LIV MORGAN (w/Roxanne Perez)

The bell rang 33 minutes into the hour. Liv threw Lyra into the ringside steps and they cut to an early break. [c]

Lyra rallied until Perez yanked the ropes open and Lyra tumbled to the floor. Bayley went after Perez at ringside. Perez threw Bayley into the time keeper’s area. Bayley came up with a chair. Cole said she snapped as she chased Perez into the ring. Perez ran to the back and Bayley pursued her. Liv then gave a distracted Lyra her Oblivion for the win.

WINNER: Morgan in 9:00.

-Redmond interviewed C.M. Punk backstage. She said one spear and there’s a new champion, so how is he preparing. Punk said everyone has an opinion, and they’d rather talk about him because if they talked about themselves, no one would pay attention. (What?!) He said if he’s the underdog, that means you’ve underestimated him. He said a GTS ends it for anyone, and tonight it’s Bron.

(Keller’s Analysis: That was a weird Punk mood he was projecting there.) [c]

-Graves hyped the Netflix House attraction in Philadelphia.

-They replayed the Gunther-Styles angle earlier. Then they plugged next week’s Netflix line-up. Cole noted the show streams live at 2 ET from Germany. He also plugged the Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre match on Smackdown.

-Breakker made his entrance with Heyman. [c]

(4) C.M. PUNK vs. BRON BREAKKER (w/Paul Heyman) – World Hvt. Title match

During formal ring introductions, Punk wore a gameface that came across as having a mix of a stern, intense, and almost pissed off vibe to it. The bell rang 59 minutes into the hour. Cole noted this is their first-ever one-on-one match, but Punk did pin Breakker in a Gauntlet match and they also crossed paths in WarGames. They cut to a very early break with Breakker in control.

[HOUR THREE]

[c] Cole and Graves talked about how dominant Breakker was and how little offense Punk was getting in. Cole said Punk is a shrewd, wise veteran who might be waiting out Breakker. Graves said Punk isn’t scared to go 30 or 40 minutes, and Breakker isn’t tested in that way. Cole said Breakker might prove he can last as long as Punk. At 7:00 Breakker back suplexed out of a Punk GTS attempt and then scored a two count.

Breakker charged around ringside toward Punk, but Punk launched himself off the ringside barricade and clotheslined him. They cut to another break. [c]

Breakker was in control after the break. Cole said Breakker was physically dominating Punk and the match had reached a critical point for Punk. Breakker went for a Frankensteiner, but the timing was off and Breakker landed on his head. Cole said Punk blocked it. Punk dropped an elbow and scored a two count. Punk climbed to the top rope. Breakker knocked Punk off balance. Breakker went for the Frankensteiner again and this time hit it for a near fall at 14:00. Graves said Punk appeared to be off his game.

Breakker pressed Punk above his head, but Punk countered into a DDT and then scored a two count. Fans chanted “C.M. Punk!” Punk landed a running knee in the corner. He followed up with a top rope elbowdrop and then signaled for a GTS. Heyman stood on the ring apron and yelled at Punk. Austin Theory and Bronson Reed jumped on the ring apron. Punk had to fend them off. Breakker shoved Punk into the referee, who tumbled to ringside. Theory entered and delivered a Stomp to Punk’s head. Breakker made the cover and scored a two count. Fans popped for the kickout.

Reed cleared the announce desk. Dragon Lee leaped off the ringside barricade and took Theory down. Penta then hit Logan with a punch. Reed caught a flying Rey. Penta, Lee, and Rey took over and tossed Logan, Theory, and Reed into the crowd. That left just Breakker and Punk in the ring.

Breakker waited for Punk to stand and went for a spear. Punk avoided him and landed a GTS for a two count at 20:00. “How the hell did Breakker do that?” asked Cole. Graves said this is where panic sets in with a champion. Punk gave Breakker a (sloppy) piledriver for a two count. Graves said Punk is panicked and afraid that the championship is slipping through his fingers. Punk lifted Breakker for a GTS, but Breakker slipped free and put Punk in a Fujiwara armbar. Punk countered with a roll-up for a two count. Breakker shifted back into the armbar. Fans chanted for Punk. Punk slipped out and applied an Anaconda Vice.

They stood. Breakker hoisted Punk and gave him a gut-buster and a Steinerline for a near fall. Breakker signaled for a GTS. Breakker went for it, but Punk countered and applied an STF. Breakker teased tapping, but reached the bottom rope. Heyman stood on the ring apron again. Punk sat up and eyed him. He had enough and grabbed him by his lapels. He punched Heyman. Breakker went for a spear. Punk side-stepped him and Breakker crashed to ringside. Punk went for a dive through the ropes, but Breakker punched him out of mid-air. Punk crashed awkwardly to the ringside mat.

Breakker climbed to the top rope and leaped toward Punk at ringside and landed a flying elbowdrop. Both were down and slow to get up. Heyman was leaning on the barricade in the background laughing at the site of the impact. Breakker dragged Punk into the ring. He lowered his straps and went for a spear. Punk intercepted Breakker with a knee and then hit a GTS for a three count. Graves said Punk showed Breakker that if you come for the king, you best not miss.

WINNER: Punk in 26:00 to retain the World Title.


CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST


JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOW

PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by PWTorch contributor Chris Griffin to review WWE Raw LIVE. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Raw during the show.

Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Raw. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.

VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE

https://streamyard.com/isx3wpf78f

Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller” (or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine).

If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.

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