WWE Stranger Things Raw Review – 01.05.26

Tonight, it is the one-year anniversary of Raw moving to Netflix. It’s also Stranger Things Raw, a crossover between WWE and the biggest hit of Netflix and one of the biggest hits of the modern times in Stranger Things. Will Vecna be revealed as the real Tribal Chief? Will Delightful Derek join Judgment Day?

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The last week in WWE and WWE-adjacent programming from the Blog of Doom team: Raw / NXT / Impact / SmackDown

Then, Now, Forever, Together.

This is New York City, though there seems to be a lot of red in the air as if perhaps we’re in the Upside Down. We’re at the Barclays Center and on Netflix presented by Doordash.

The sounds of a ticking clock hit and the screen turns upside down as the Stranger Things theme plays and we see the Surfer Boy Pizza van as well as the WSQK van on the ramp. Corey Graves in Hellfire Club shirt and Michael Cole pop out of the radio van, here to hype the crossover. Arrivals! The Vision are here. Tonight, Bron Breakker gets a World Heavyweight Title shot. His opponent, CM Punk, is here with coffee. The Judgment Day pass a Stranger Things wall and Liv Morgan returns to action tonight after six months out. She’ll battle Lyra Valkyria, riding in on a Hawkins Lab bicycle with Bayley. Maxxine Dupri struts in and she’ll battle Becky Lynch, ranting to a passerby.

Graves and Cole hype us and fireworks explode as we also note the fencing around the entrance. “Brutality” brings out Rhea Ripley as well as Iyo Sky to the loud noises Rhea always gets.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) vs Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky

The great Alicia Taylor gives us the championship introductions. These teams last met at Crown Jewel with Rhea and Iyo winning. Kairi and Asuka start it off and quickly battle outside, only for Rhea to leap onto them and the producers remember that they have to hit the “commercials” button when somebody dives outside.

Back from break, Asuka and Rhea are battling in the ring. Rhea dodges a hip attack and tries to suplex Asuka onto the apron. Rhea tries for another cannonball on Asuka but Kairi pulls her partner out of the way. Our replays are Stranger-fied tonight and there are vines all over the ringside barriers and announce table. Don’t let them touch your mouth, Cole. Asuka and Kairi double team Rhea. Rhea catches Kairi for a fallaway slam and tags Iyo, Asuka is in as well. Iyo hits the open-hand strikes and the slingblade as Graves notes the retirement of Tanahashi. Asuka dodges the Bullet Train and dumps Sky to the apron, Iyo tries to spring inside but is stopped by Kairi. Kairi drops the boots to Iyo’s injured back gets a two count as we take another break.

Kairi has Iyo in the anchor submission as we return, Iyo rolling into a stomp. Rhea and Asuka get the tags. Rhea punts Kairi and plants her with a dropkick, also booting Asuka off the apron. Rhea tags in Iyo as she does the Razor’s Edge, Iyo follows with a missile dropkick for a 2.5 count. Rhea Riptides Kairi and Asuka drives Rhea into Iyo, then hits a Codebreaker on Rhea to save her partner. A Codebreaker? Hmm. Asuka runs right into a kick but catches Rhea’s ankle for an anklelock before suplexing Rhea (Rhea: “OH SHIT” as she falls). The Warriors hit Rhea with the flying elbow, Iyo breaking the pin. Iyo spins Kairi into a suplex and gets the tag from Rhea, coming in and running into several pin attempts by Asuka. Iyo rolls Asuka into a stomp and hits the Bullet Train in the corner, tagging in Rhea who again Riptides Asuka. This time Iyo lands the Over the Moonsault and dives out onto Kairi, Rhea covers Asuka for three. We have new Women’s Tag Team Champions.

Rhea Ripley pins Asuka, Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky defeat the Kabuki Warriors to become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. A really good match (of course, look at who is in it). There are worse ideas than letting Rhea and Iyo run with the belts for a bit until we get past the Rumble and whatever the road to WrestleMania might have for them. Watch this one.

Here’s a video package on CM Punk and Bron Breakker set to “This Land,” which I’m told by Shazam is the theme from Borderlands 4. It’s a good package.

Backstage, Iyo and Rhea celebrate by a Stranger Things display. Raw General Manager Adam Pearce congratulates them, questions what a Demogorgon is and then finds Gunther. He tells Gunther that perhaps he should mix in a little respect tonight. Gunther laughs and heads towards Gorilla.

Gunther joins us properly in the arena to another chorus of boos. Gunther could have simply chopped Vecna into submission and ended Stranger Things a few seasons earlier. Gunther shows off his “Tap Like A…” tee as he heads to the ring and we take another break.

We zoom back into Gunther with a Stranger Things-esque “Chapter Two: He Who Remains” title card, which is kind of rad. The fans boo through the start of his speech as they chant “you tapped out,” which is a totally outdated thing to chant at the guy who hasn’t done that in a year. He asks for respect and says he is the man who made John Cena tap out like a little…

Here’s AJ Styles to interrupt Gunther’s potty mouth. Derek has said much worse things on Stranger Things. Gunther tells AJ that he is the greatest wrestler in the company right now and keeps interrupting AJ as he tries to talk. This time he does get to say “bitch.” “What is little AJ going to do about it,” Gunther questions as he gives the Cena hand wave. AJ slaps him, they go head to head. AJ tosses the mica t Gunther’s chest and leaves as Gunther scowls.

Here’s a video package on Maxxine and Becky.

Pearce is with Ivy Nile backstage. She’s not going to the back of the line and he says let’s get through tonight and we’ll figure it out. Ivy, of course, has not really done anything to deserve a rematch or even the first title shot by TV standards. Gunther storms up and wants AJ, who follows. Gunther wants AJ next week and it is official.

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Maxxine Dupri vs Becky Lynch

Becky might be doing a tribute to Powerline with her glasses and jacket tonight. We do a “Chapter Three: It’s Not Just Her Saying It” zoom in before Maxxine enters. Maxxine is 3-1 in this series. Cole corrects us and tells us that Lynch’s gear is inspired by Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, a show she’ll be on later this year. Becky cheap shots Maxxine in the corner as Graves mentions that Becky should have her own Stark Trek show if she wins the belt. Maxxine leaps over Becky on the outside and drops her with a big kick to take us to break.

Back from it, they trade blows. A spin kick gets a two for Maxxine, who goes up top and misses a crossbody. Maxxine gets the anklelock and Becky gets the rope break. Maxxine hooks it a second time and Becky again escapes. Three tries of the Manhandle Slam fail but a backdrop gets at two. Maxxine crossbodies Becky for another two and we get “shocked” face from Dupri. Becky tries to powerbomb Maxxine off the top, Maxxine does what we’ll say a very gentle roll out of it and hooks the ankle again. Becky rolls on top of her, despite the anklelock, and pins Maxxine down for the three and the title.

Becky Lynch pins Maxxine Dupri to become the new WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion. I’m higher than most everyone on Maxxine. This wasn’t very good. The effort was there, Maxxine is trying, but this didn’t work tonight. There could be a story for her with Low Key Legend Nattie if they were to, you know, put her on television. Becky will no doubt be raving and that’ll be fun, but this wasn’t as good as the previous Maxxine/Becky match.

Here’s a video package on Oba Femi, a NXT name that Adam Pearce hasn’t yet let Nick Aldis sign before him. Yet.

Stephanie Vaquer is walking and in a medical boot as she passes the Creed Brothers on a Scoops Ahoy boat. She’ll have some words for us next.

Season two of WWE Unreal debuts on Netflix on January 20. Sorry, I’m not reviewing season two. It’s no SmackDown ‘99. (I’ll probably watch it though.)

WWE World Tag Team Champions The Usos (Main Event Jey and Big Jim) yeet through the crowd. Of the Stranger Things crossover merch, I like Jey’s YEET shirt the most. I’d wear it to the gym probably which is usually the deciding factor when I go in for a wrestling shirt.. They stop in the crowd and the music stops and they roll it back as they do. Jey thanks AJ and Dragon Lee for the fight last week – last year notes Jimmy – and calls this year the year of the Usos. Jimmy says they’re the best team in the game and they’re ready for the next challengers. Four letters, one word, uh uh, yeet. Well, it filled some time.

“Chapter Four: To Kiss A Devil” leads us to Jackie Redmond in the ring, introducing WWE Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer. She slowly walks out with her walking boot on. Stephanie says 2025 was amazing with four titles, Evolution, the Rumble, and other things. Her biggest dream was winning WWE Women’s World Champion and she did it. She thanks the fans and looks at her boot. “This will not stop me. I want more, I want everyone.” Corey tells us that she says no injury will stop her as Raquel Rodriguez appears for the ambush, pounding away at Stephanie and slamming the injured ankle into the mat. Stephanie feels the Tejana Bomb and Raquel grabs a chair from the timekeeper’s area, trying to Pillmanize Stephanie’s ankle before the ref squad and Pearce stop it. You know what, give Raquel the belt. I’m into it.

Corey thanks Eminem for “Godzilla,” the official theme song of Raw. He’s that guy from Fortnite!

The medical crew are helping Stephanie walk backstage, not offering her a wheelchair or anything actually helpful, when she is attacked again by Raquel.

Here’s a look at Rey Mysterio’s growing issues with The Vision and in particular Logan Paul as well as Penta’s save last week.

Rey Mysterio is talking to Dragon Lee backstage, telling him that he will be champion again as we hear the in-arena fans doing the Bird Lady cheers. Lee thanks him as Penta comes in to talk with Rey. Penta suggests a team-up.

“Chapter Five: Hellfires Collide” is our next title card as we see Lyra Valkyria in the ring.

Celebrities! They love Raw! In this case Elle Duncan, the host of “Skyscraper Live” on Netflix which is certainly a thing I learned existed an hour ago.

Lyra Valkyria (with Bayley) vs Liv Morgan (with Roxanne Perez)

Almost seven months later, Liv returns to action. Cole wonders if she’ll be rusty and Graves gets on him for it. Liv dodges Lyra’s outside dropkick and kicks the Bird Lady to the outside as Bayley watches in a Vecna/WWE crossover tee and we go to break.

Liv takes Lyra down with a clothesline as we come back. Lyra drops Liv with a nice backdrop and then a tornado DDT, keeping the grasp with a well-executed fisherman buster. Liv elbows Lyra into a pin attempt, they trade pin attempts before Liv hammers on Lyra’s back. Morgan counters Nightwing for a two. Rox smacks Liv while the referee is distracted, Bayley goes after her and gets tossed into the timekeeper’s area. Bayley snaps out of it with a chair and chases Rox through the ring and down the ramp, leaving her partner to take Oblivion and give Liv a win.

Liv Morgan pins Lyra Valkyria. This was fine. The crowd wasn’t into it and I was kind of in and out myself. Liv hasn’t lost a step and I’m very interested to see what’s up ahead.

Jackie has caught up with WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk. He doesn’t believe in Steiner math, and he thinks he will win tonight.

Meanwhile in Philadelphia, Netflix House is in Philadelphia and has stuff about K-Pop Demon Hunters, Raw, Stranger Things and other Netflix stuff. Damien Priest and B-Fab are there tonight for a watch party. It’s no Nitro Party but I’ll take it.

It isn’t mentioned on the U.S. broadcast, but at some point during one of the commercial breaks, Pearce comes out and announces that Je’Von Evans has signed with Raw. Nothing makes a new signing feel more important than announcing it during the commercials.

Next week, Gunther vs AJ Styles from Dusseldorf at a special start time of 2 pm ET. I won’t have the review up right after the show, but it’ll be up earlier than usual on Monday. I’m always thankful for early Raws because I can go to bed before 10 p.m. This Friday, Drew McIntyre faces Cody Rhodes in a Three Stages of Hell match which Niz will review. How will Drew slip on a banana peel and lose this one? Tune in to find out!

WWE World Heavyweight Championship: WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk vs Bron Breakker (with Paul Heyman)

“Chapter Six: The Best vs The Baddest.” Punk has a University of Michigan-inspired jacket tonight which is a nice touch. Corey plugs the Stranger Things/WWE collection on WWE Shop dot com. They start slowly, trading headlocks before Bron catches Punk with a slam, the fans bark and we go to break.

Bron has control upon return, getting a one count on Punk as Cole tells us that Bron’s rise only rivals Angle and Lesnar. Bron suplexes Punk and the fans bark before chanting for Punk. Bron hits a big gutbuster for a two count. With Punk outside, Bron gets that look in his eyes and starts the run for the spear but runs right into a Punk clothesline for another ad break.

Bron goes for a Frankensteiner and Punk locks his legs, blocking it and delivering an elbow from the corner for a two count. Breakker gets a Frankensteiner on a second attempt and can’t get the pinfall. Punk is shook, notes Graves. Bron tries a military press, Punk falls down into it with a DDT but the slow followup can’t get him a pin. Punk unloads some fists and a swinging neck breaker, getting a VINTAGE running knee in the corner and a clothesline. Punk climbs up for the elbow and lands it, calling for GTS. Heyman hops on the apron and distracts Punk long enough for the Vision to run out, Punk knocking them off the apron. Bron knocks Punk from behind who accidentally knows the ref out. Austin Theory delivers a curb stomp, and Bronson Reed slides the referee in for a two count. Bronson clears the announce table as Penta’s music plays and Dragon Lee leaps from the crowd onto one, Penta into another and Rey Mysterio onto the third. The luchadors toss Bronson and we’re brawling all over the place as Theory and Logan Paul join them in the crowd. The numbers are even.

We return to a look at the ring and Bron setting up a spear on the slowly rising Punk, Punk dodging and catching Bron for a GTS. One, two and kickout. Punk piledrives Breakker though Bron’s positioning is… not good. Punk calls for GTS again and Breakker grabs an armbar on the way down. Punk rolls it into a two, Bron rolls it back into the armbar. Punk swings it into the Anaconda Vice, Bron is able to lift Punk into a gutbuster and a clothesline that can’t end it. Bron calls for his own GTS and Punk grabs the ankle, dragging Bron into a STF. Breakker hangs on, trying not to tap and drags himself and Punk to the ropes. Punk drags him bag over the Slim Jim logo and Heyman hops on the apron again. Punk grabs Paul and punches, then dodges a spear and Bron falls outside. Punk leaps for a dive and Bron hits him with a right but Punk also lands HARD face-first on the mat. Sheesh.

Bron climbs up top and dives onto Punk and through the announce table, the fans barking again for him as Heyman laughs against the barricade despite his pain. Bron drags Punk into the ring, pulls down the straps and tries for the spear again, running into Punk’s knee. Punk hooks the GTS and covers Bron for the pin, retaining the title. Credits roll as we see Bron sitting on the ramp and Punk celebrating in the ring above him.

CM Punk pins Bron Breakker to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Title. An excellent match that is worth your time to watch. Both men brought it. No big surprise appearances but we are setting up some extended Punk & Friends vs Vision stuff, a favorite theme of the show last year.

The Stranger Things stuff was heavy on the intro but then inoffensive throughout the rest of the show, only being in graphics, a few between shots and the music being throughout the show. It certainly wasn’t as it would have been ten years ago with R-Truth going into the Upside Down and finding Hornswoggle. They question of “who is the highest profile Stranger Things cast member that we will see ringside” was answered with “not a damn one of them.” Not even Ted Wheeler. The Women’s Tag Title match started the show and was probably the best thing on it, though you could also argue Punk-Breakker. I always have a hard time being as enthused by the end of the show because damn, why does this show have to be two and a half hours (sorry, Niz and three-hour SmackDown). The big miss was probably Becky-Maxxine and now that we’ve seen that a handful of times, I’m hoping both pivot into other stories. Perhaps AJ Lee will reappear as she sometimes does. No big surprise appearances by Vortex dwellers. A decent enough show but just decent.