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WWE RAW RESULTS
JANUARY 12, 2026
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND AT THE SSE ARENA
STREAMED LIVE ON NETFLIX
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Mark Nash
Attendance: WrestleTix reports today that 8,578 tickets were distributed so far; arena set up for 8,597. The arena has a capacity of 11,200 spectators when configured for concerts.
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by PWTorch’s Nick Barbati to review WWE Raw LIVE. Join us and let us know your thoughts on Raw during the show.
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[HOUR ONE]
-Michael Cole introduced the show as they showed the cheering crowd in Northern Ireland. Then they showed the arrivals of C.M. Punk, Finn Balor, Maxxine Dupri with Otis and Akira Tozawa, Los Americanos, and finally Rey Myster & Penta & Dragon Lee.
-Gunther made his ring entrance. A clip aired of the finish of their match last week where Gunther tricked A.J. Styles into releasing the Calf Crusher when he tapped out of sight of the referee. Cole said it was ingenious of Gunther, “who just continues to win.” Fans pelted Gunther with a chant of “You Tapped Out!” He told fans to “calm down” (that always works; try it out in your life!) He said Styles made a mistake last week because he walked into their match with blinders on, so focused on making him tapout, he forgot who he was getting in the ring with. He said he put Bill Goldberg to sleep and made John Cena tap out. He said his future looks bright and he’s headed right back to the World Championship. He officially declared his participation in the Royal Rumble. He said he lasted 1 hour, 11 minutes, and 40 seconds in the Rumble. Styles’s music interrupted.
Styles walked out. Cole said Styles made his WWE debut at the Rumble a decade ago. Graves said Styles wouldn’t let last week’s defeat go without a fight. Gunther smiled at Styles. Styles said: “I know you want to move on. I don’t. You and me. Rematch. Royal Rumble.” Fans cheered. Gunther said he plans to win the Rumble and he’s not pulling double-duty, so no. As Gunther began to leave the ring, Styles said, “You sound scared.” Fans loudly chanted “You tapped out!” Styles said his hand was raised, but he didn’t beat him. “I beat me when I showed you mercy,” he said. “I shoulda ripped your leg off and beat you with the bloody end.” He told Gunther, “You tapped out like a little bitch.” Fans chanted, “You tapped out!” Gunther paced and looked like he was going to boil over.
Styles told Gunther to just admit he was scared and they’d move on. Fans chanted, “Little bitch!” Gunther said he proved last week he’s the better and smarter wrestler than him, so there’s no sense in wrestling him again. He said his answer remains no. He stepped onto the ring apron, paused, and returned to the ring. Gunther said there might be something he could do. Styles said, “Name it!” Gunther told fans, who were singing, to shut and listen when he talks. “Name it!” said Styles again. Gunther said if he wants a rematch, he wants him to put his career on the line. Styles froze and blinked, as if he didn’t see that coming.
Gunther told him to think about it and he expected his answer by the end of the night. Graves said Styles shouldn’t risk having his name added to Gunther’s list.
-Maxinne Dupri was excited to see Natalya backstage. She asked what she was doing there. Natalya said she wanted to be in her corner to be sure what happened two weeks ago doesn’t happen again. Dupri said she’s so ready for Becky Lynch tonight. The camera lingered on Natalya awkwardly long afterward.
-Lynch made her ring entrance. [c]
(1) BECKY LYNCH vs. MAXINNE DUPRI (w/Natalya) – WWE Intercontinental Title match
Dupri’s ring entrance took place. Natalya accompanied her. Cole talked about how instrumental Natalya has been lately in Dupri’s progress. The bell rang 22 minutes into the hour. A minute in, Dupri dropkicked Becky and Becky rolled away. Dupri slidekicked her to the floor and then flip-dove onto her. Becky won a struggle in the corner and yanked the back of Dupri’s head onto the top turnbuckle. They cut to a break at 2:00. [c]
Back from the break, Cole said Becky was controlling the action during the break, but Dupri wasn’t backing down. Dupri made a comeback. Cole said she is vastly improved. She landed a fisherman’s suplex, kipped up, and then landed a legdrop to the back of Becky’s neck and scored a two count at 6:00. Natalya gave Dupri some advice from ringside.
Becky avoided a running boot and then slammed Dupri to the mat and scored a two count. Becky applied an armbar and then shifted into a Disarm Her. Dupri forced a break by leveraging Becky’s shoulders down for a two count. She then applied a standing anklelock. Becky rolled her up for a two count. Becky ducked a spinning wheel kick but then landed a standing round kick leading to a two count. Graves said Dupri landed her best shots but hasn’t been able to score a win. Cole said Natalya can help her here.
Becky knocked Dupri off balance on the top rope. She followed with a superplex and a DDT for a two count. Becky showed frustration and pounded away at Dupri with a barrage of punches. She removed the turnbuckle pad. Dupri rolled her up from behind and tried to throw Becky into it. Dupri fought back and leaped off the top rope with a crossbody, but Becky rolled through and scored a two count. Dupri rolled through and applied another standing anklelock. Becky crawled toward the corner and escaped. She leaped at Dupri, but Dupri moved and Becky hit the exposed turnbuckle. She threw a spinning wheel kick which grazed the top of Becky’s head. Becky went down. Dupri made the cover. Natalya put Becky’s boot on the bottom rope. “What the hell was that?” asked Cole. Dupri asked, “Why Natti?” Becky the gave Dupri a Manhandle Slam for the win.
Cole and Graves wondered why Natalya would do that after all the hard work she put in to help Dupri. Natalya stood with her arms crossed at ringside glaring at Dupri.
WINNER: Lynch in 12:00 to retain the IC Title.
-After Becky left the ring, Natalya tackled Dupri and punched away at her. Fans booed. Natalya said, “You’re never going to learn!” She slapped Dupri. Dupri swung at her. Natalya flattened her with a clothesline. Natalya then put Dupri in a sharpshooter. Cole called for someone to get in there and stop it. Natalya went back to pummeling her with punches.
-They cut to Cole and Graves at ringside. Graves said he was speechless. Natalya went back after Dupri again. “Ref, get her out of the damn ring!” said Cole. Natalya finally left. Cole and Graves shifted to discussing the Bron Breakker involvement in a tag match last week which led to issues between Raw G.M. Adam Pearce and Breakker. They showed Paul Heyman telling Pearce that he put his hands on Breakker first.
-Pearce told Styles that just because Gunther issued that challenge doesn’t mean he has to accept it. Styles said he’s was going to call his wife. Heyman showed up and asked Pearce how his week was going. Pearce said it was great. Heyman was surprised and perplexed. Graves said he suspended Breakker and now they’re in Belfast. Heyman asked if he couldn’t find an arena in London. Pearce told his men to be on their best behavior in their match. Pearce said he’d see him at ringside.
(Keller’s Analysis: The Natalya angle gives Dupri something new to do, and it always felt like it was headed here. The match was rough in several spots and okay in others. Heyman and Pearce have a nice chemistry.) [c]
-A video package previewed the Punk vs. Balor main event.
-Backstage, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Roxanne Perez, and Finn Balor were hanging out. Raquel said when Stephanie Vaquer is cleared, she’s doing to end her title reign. Liv told Perez she used to think she was a little schemer and a liar and shady, but now she understands why she needs her. “You’re my prodigy and my friend,” she said. Perez promised she won’t let her down. Liv asked Balor how he was feeling. Balor said they’re on his island and he’s not leaving without the title.
-Jey Uso made their way from the concourse into the crowd. Jey said they put the whole tag division on notice last week. He said he’s officially declaring his spot in the Royal Rumble this week. He said he’ll be a back-to-back Romble winner. Cole said he thought Jey was supposed to run things by Jimmy first. Graves said maybe he did.
-Pearce was shown walking backstage when The New Day and Greyson Waller walked up to him. New Day demanded a match on their favorite holiday. Pearce said they have a match. They celebrated. He said the match is next week, a Fatal Four-way for the tag titles. Xavier complained they came to Northern Ireland for no reason other than stare at his bald head.
(2) THE VISION (Bronson Reed & Logan Paul & Austin Theory w/Paul Heyman) vs. REY MYSTERIO & DRAGON LEE & PENTA
The end of the ring entrance for Rey and his team aired. They showed Pearce sitting at ringside. The bell rang 55 minutes into the hour. As Theory and Lee battled at the start, fans chanted “F— you, Logan!” Cole touted Theory’s new approach of putting relentless pressure on his opponent. Logan tagged in and engaged in a strut contest with Penta. Logan kicked Penta. Penta fired back. Rey and Bronson tagged in next. Fans chanted “619!” After some chaos, the babyfaces cleared the ring of the heels and then all three faces landdd running dives onto the heel trio as they cut to a break at 5:00.
[HOUR TWO]
[c] Back from the break, Theory was in control against Lee. Heyman and Pearce were having heated words at ringside as Bronson worked over Lee. Logan tagged in. Then Theory tagged back in. Lee head scissored Theory and threw him to the floor. Rey tagged in and went after Theory with a flurry of offense. He set up a 619, but Theory blocked it. Penta blind-tagged in and took it to Theory. He landed a Penta Driver. Bronson broke it up. Chaos broke out. Logan caught a sliding Rey at ringside and pressed him above his head and then dropped him onto the security barricade.
Bronson lifted Dragon for a Jagged Edge, but Penta broke it up. Dragon then landed a running flip dive onto Bronson at ringside. In the ring, Penta and Theory battled. Theory scored a two count. Pearce and Heyman stood on the ring apron arguing. Logan tossed brass knuckles to Theory. The ref caught Theory with them. Pearce yanked them away from Theory. Heyman marched over to Pearce and said he put his hands on his guy again. Pearce asked if he was sticking his hand in his face. He backed Heyman down. Rey hit Theory with Logan’s brass knuckles. Penta then knocked Logan down before giving Theory a Mexican Destroyer for a near fall. Heyman was shown texting on his phone at ringside as the faces celebrated on their way to the back.
WINNERS: Rey & Dragon & Penta in 15:00.
-Jackie Redmond interviewed Punk about his match tonight. Punk said he’s the best in the world playing an away game and he wants the game on his stick. He said this is the type of pressure that gets him out of bed every week. He said the pressure that makes him the best in the world is going to be what breaks Balor tonight.
-Cole threw to a video package on Martin Luther King.
(Keller’s Analysis: I have a feeling MLK would be asking WWE to not stay silent about what ICE has been empowered to do without accountability or adherence to U.S. citizens’ constitutional rights in recent weeks while terrorizing communities with blunt, cruel, needless abductions and beatings (Why the masks, anyway? What respectable “police” force hides who they are?). By the way D.O.J., release the full Epstein Files as mandated by a court. (What’re you hiding, anyway?) And to everyone, watch Jack Smith’s open testimony in congress live on Thursday.)
-After some plug, Heyman chased down Pearce backstage. Pearce told him to say what he has to say. Heyman said he’s the best G.M. Raw has ever had and he will be missed when he was gone. Pearce asked if Heyman was threatening him. Heyman told Pearce. to take the phone call. Pearce answered it and then they cut away to the stage.
-Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley made their ring entrance. Ripley welcomed everyone to “Monday Night Rhyo.” She talked about their title defense at Saturday Night’s Main Event and declared they’ll be in the Royal Rumble match. They were interrupted by Liv and Perez. Perez asked if she heard them say they were both entering the Rumble. Liv said she has a friendly piece of Iyo and she should strongly consider it. They entered the ring and approached Ripley and Sky. Liv said with Ripley, she always turns her back on her tag team partner at the end of the day. Liv said she’s done it to her, and where Iyo will luck out is that her selfishness will always get the better of her, leaving her with nothing and no one. Iyo and Ripley wrapped their arms around each other as they listened. Perez said she, Liv, and Raquel will also be in the Rumble. She said a member of The Judgment Day will go on to main event WrestleMania.
Ripley mock laughed and said, “That just seems like projection to me.” Ripley said if they’re all in the Rumble, “How is that goign to work? Raquel hit Ripley from behind. Perez clipped Sky’s knee. Raquel landed the Tejana Bomb. Ripley tried to fight back but was overwhelmed. Liv gave Ripley an Oblivion. Cole said if she hits that Saturday, it’ll be the end of their tag title reign. [c]
-They showed aerial drone scenes of Belfast as Graves plugged Eminem’s theme for the Rumble.
-Bayley was pacing backstage and fretting when Lyra Valkyria walked up to her. She said they’re off to a bad start in 2026. She said she hates losing, but even more she hates feeling like she let her buddy down. Bayley turned and said she could never let her down. She said they weren’t technically pinned and they have all of 2026 to look forward. Bayley said they’re both in the Rumble and they’ve got it. Lyra asked if she’d mind if she won the Rumble. Bayley said not at all, just as Lyra wouldn’t mind if Bayley won. They hugged.
(3) EL GRANDE AMERICANO (w/Rayo, Bravo) vs. JE’VON EVANS
Je’Von made his high-energy entrance. Cole said Evans is 3-0 since joining Raw. The bell rang 34 minutes into the hour. Evans backflipped to avoid a charging Americano. He continued to be elusive. Graves said he’s resilient and fun to watch. Americano landed a high roundkick to stop Evans and take control. They battled at ringside next. Evans continued to elusive before launching himself back into the ring with a sprinboard clothesline as they cut to a break at 3:30. [c]
Back from the break, Evans are down at ringside injury and unable to continue. Evans held his wrist. Cole said he wasn’t sure what happened or where he was hurt. When he was walked to the back, he was favoring his right shoulder.
WINNER: Americano in roughly 7:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: That’s a bummer. It’s weird they didn’t replay what happened and acted as if there was no way to know how he got hurt.)
-Cole and Graves commented on a recap of the Natalya-Dupri angle earlier.
-Redmond interviewed Balor backstage about his World Title shot. She said it takes place in his “home country.” He said the magnitude of tonight isn’t lost on him, but perhaps it’s lost on Punk. He said he respects Punk, but questions his judgment. He said he is in front of his people and tonight there will be a new Irish heavyweight champion.
-Cole plugged the second season of WWE Unreal, which is released tomorrow.
-A preview aired with Paul Levesque speaking about R-Truth’s contract and how they were far apart on numbers of communications broke down. He said they let his contract lapse. They hoped it would lead to talks continuing. He said Truth went on social media and said he was fired. Levesque said he never was. Truth said he hurt. B.G. James said it made sense not to renew his contract “because at his age, you might not get that reward back.”
(Keller’s Analysis: Well, that didn’t make anyone look sympathetic.) [c]
-Backstage, The Vision crossed paths with Pearce. Pearce told Heyman he’d like to talk to Bron Breakker. He said they’re grown men and he wants to try to iron it out. Heyman said it’d be his honor to have Breakker there next week, “but you better be on your best behavior.” He waved his finger in his face as Theory, Logan, and Bronson sneered and glared at him. Styles then walked up to Pearce and said his wife told him what he was thinking. “Kick his ass,” Styles said. Pearce asked if he understands there is no coming back from this. Pearce said it’s now official.
-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside. Cole said thought Styles was making a big mistake. Then they plugged the SNME line-up.
-They cut backstage to Asuka raging near Kairi Sane, who seemed distraught and scared. Kairi said she was so sorry. Asuka said she lost their titles and then lost last week. She said it almost hurt as much as Iyo turning on her. Kairi weeped and said she knows how she feels. She promised to make sure Asuka won the Rumble. She vowed to do whatever it took. Asuka said, “Good girl.” She told her not to make her yell at her again.
-Punk made his ring entrance. [c]
[HOUR THREE]
-They replayed the Pearce-Styles segment. Cole said the match with Gunther vs. Styles is now official for SNME.
(4) C.M. PUNK vs. FINN BALOR – World Heavyweight Title match
Fans mostly booed Punk during his entrance. Cole said it’s the first time the World Title would be defended “on the island of Ireland.” The bell rang 5 minutes into the hour. They cut to an early break. [c]
Punk superplexed Balor at 11:00, but Balor caught Punk with a surprise roll-up for a near fall. Both men were down and slow to get up Cole said Punk would be so upset if he lost the title that way. A dueling chant of “Let’s Go Balor! / C.M. Punk!” broke out. Blaor landed a sling blade and then clotheslined Punk over the top rope to ringside. Balor then leaped onto Punk at ringside. He threw Punk back into the ring and then charged with a dropkick. He then climbed to the top rope and went for a Coup de Gras. Punk moved and gave Balor a GTS for a near fall at 13:00.
Punk went for another GTS, but Balor escaped and landed a sling blade. He followed with a dropkick and then once again went for a Coup de Gras. He landed this one and scored a dramatic near fall that popped the crowd. Balor turned a GTS attempt into a small package. Punk then hit the GTS for the win.
Cole touted the fight and said Balor and his fans were disappointed.
WINNER: Punk in 17:00 to retain the World Title.
-Punk walked over to Balor afterward and offered his hand to help him up. Balor accepted. Balor raised Punk’s arm. Punk celebrated as credits rolled.
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOW
PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by PWTorch’s Nick Barbati 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/c4tis8v8ws
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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