WWE Monday Night Raw celebrated its first anniversary on Netflix with a thrilling episode on January 5, 2026, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The show featured a special crossover with the hit series *Stranger Things*, adding an exciting twist to the wrestling event. Fans were treated to several intense matches, with significant title changes and dramatic moments throughout the night.
Title Changes and Intense Showdowns
The evening kicked off with a fierce contest for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. The reigning champions, the Kabuki Warriors, faced off against Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky. The match saw both teams exchanging powerful moves, but it was Ripley and Sky who seized the moment. Ripley executed her signature Riptide, followed by Sky’s impressive moonsault on Asuka, ensuring a decisive victory. This win crowned Ripley and Sky as the new champions, much to the delight of the Brooklyn crowd.
In a separate segment, Gunther continued to taunt John Cena, which incited AJ Styles to confront him in the ring. After a heated exchange, Styles slapped Gunther, leading to a challenge for a match next week—an event that promises to escalate the ongoing rivalry.
Another championship bout took place as Maxxine Dupri defended her WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Becky Lynch. Despite Dupri controlling much of the match, Lynch’s experience shone through. When Dupri attempted to lock Lynch in an ankle hold, Lynch countered and managed to secure a pinfall, reclaiming the title and solidifying her position as a top competitor in the women’s division.
Notable Moments and New Additions
During the broadcast, Adam Pearce announced the addition of Je’Von, a star from WWE NXT, to the official RAW roster, hinting at exciting new storylines in the coming weeks.
The event featured a significant confrontation as Stephanie Vaquer, the Women’s World Champion, addressed the fans while sporting a walking boot due to a prior injury. Her speech was abruptly interrupted when Raquel Rodriguez attacked her from behind, targeting her injured leg and delivering a brutal powerbomb. This shocking moment left the audience in stunned silence, raising questions about Vaquer’s ability to compete moving forward.
In a returning match, Liv Morgan faced Lyra Valkyria, accompanied by Bayley. Morgan, who was making her comeback after an injury, showcased her resilience. With a distraction from Roxanne Perez, Morgan executed her finishing move, Oblivion, to secure the victory and re-establish herself in the ring.
The main event featured a clash for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, with CM Punk defending his title against Bron Breakker. The match was fiercely contested, with Breakker employing his power moves while Punk demonstrated his agility and tenacity. Despite interference attempts from outside competitors, Punk ultimately delivered his finishing move, the GTS, and pinned Breakker to retain his championship.
The January 5 episode of WWE Monday Night Raw not only provided exhilarating entertainment but also set the stage for future rivalries and title defenses, ensuring that fans remain engaged as the storylines unfold. With new champions crowned and unexpected developments, the excitement surrounding WWE continues to grow.
