WWE Monday Night Raw Review – 01.19.26

Happy Monday to you! We’re on the road to the Royal Rumble with very little announced, but before that we have this international tour, early start times and Saturday Night’s Main Event ahead of us. With two weeks to the Rumble, you’d think tonight would start some heavy build to the show and give Raw a little more to do on SNME.

The last week in WWE from the Blog of Doom: Raw / NXT / Evolve / TNA Impact / SmackDown / TNA Genesis

Then, Now, Forever, TOGETHER

This is Belfast, Ireland and the SSE Arena. Raw is live on Netflix in front of a sold-out crowd and presented by DoorDash.

Arrivals! WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk has arrived and so has his challenger, Finn Balor. Maxxine Dupri walks in with Tozawa and Otis, tonight she’ll face WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch. Los Americanos arrive, El Grande Americano is set for a battle with Je’Von Evans. Penta, Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee are chatting it up. They’ll battle The Vision later on. Fireworks explode and we have the abbreviated entrance tonight as we’ve crammed a lot of people into the building.

The Ring General Gunther is our first entrance tonight and, after a smattering of boos, is sung to the ring by the crowd. The boos pick back up for Gunther as he grabs a mic and the fans yell at him and he laughs. He gets the “you tapped out” chant, of course. He tells us that AJ Styles forgot who he was stepping in the ring with last week and he’s the man that put Bill Goldberg to sleep and made John Cena tap out. Unfortunately, Goldberg is still yapping. Gunther knows his future will lead him to the World Heavyweight Championship and he is officially declaring for the Royal Rumble, joining Cody Rhodes as the only men announced for the Rumble match.

AJ Styles is here with some thoughts. There’s a lot of smoke in the arena from the opening fireworks, not quite at the level of some of those Attitude Era Raws where it looked like they didn’t have a ventilation system, but it is pretty smoky. The fans chant for AJ. AJ wants a rematch at the Royal Rumble. Gunther says he’s winning the Rumble and has no plans on pulling double duty, so no. As Gunther leaves, AJ says he is scared and the fans chant about tapping again. Styles says that he beat himself when he showed Gunther mercy and that Gunther tapped out like a little bitch. Gunther says there is no incentive to wrestle AJ again so the answer remains. As he goes to leave, he re-enters the ring with a smile. “Actually AJ, there might be something you could do.” The fans sing for AJ. “I want you to put your career on the line.” Gunther tells him to think about if it is a hill worth dying on and expects an answer by the end of the night. “Unless you’re a little bit scared.” Really good segment.

Maxxine Dupri is stretching and met by Natalya who has finally found her way out of the Dungeon and back to the show. Nattie is here to make sure nothing happens which means something is probably happening. As Maxxine leaves, we see the Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile lurking in the background.

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch vs Maxxine Dupri (with Natalya)

I’m not sure we needed this match yet again, but Natalya being there seems like a giant flag that we’re going to see her interfere and finally spin these two away from each other. It’s time. Mark Nash gives us the championship introductions, Alicia Taylor off as we’ve switched up the ring announcer schedules a bit with the tour. Michael Cole tells us that Becky said some things about the Belfast crowd during the break, hence her getting boos. The women lock up and Becky slams Maxxine to the mat. Maxxine rolls Becky into an attempt at the ankle lock and Becky rolls through. Maxxine hits Becky with a running slide and a cannonball to the outside. Maxxine pulls Becky up to the top for a superplex attempt, Becky grabs her and knocks her head against the ring post to send us to break.

As the drone zooms us back from the break, Maxxine slugs Becky with a series of clotheslines. She splashes Becky in the corner and kicks to the midsection, hooking fisherman’s suplex and kipping back up. She steps up off of Becky’s back and leg drops her which is neat looking. Becky grabs Maxxine for a pin attempt and tries for a Manhandle Slam, the two women rolling each other into pin attempts. Becky looks the armbar but Maxxine rolls into a pin for two before Becky rolls it into the Disarmher. Maxxine rolls into an ankle lock, Becky rolls into a two. Maxxine heads up top, Becky knocks her down and superplexes her for a two count. Becky argues with the referee (not Jessika Carr) and then exposing the top turnbuckle. Maxxine German Suplexes Becky and heads up to the top again, this time hitting a crossbody but Becky rolling into a two count. Dupri gets the ankle lock again and Becky tries to pull her across the ring, slinging Maxxine into the corner. Becky hits the exposed turnbuckle and Maxxine covers, Nattie putting Becky’s foot on the rope for two and smiling at Maxxine. As Nattie shakes her head no, Becky gets the Manhandle Slam for the three and to retain the title. Nattie attacks after the match and pounds away on Maxxine, hooking on the Sharpshooter.

Becky Lynch pins Maxxine Dupri to retain the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Title. This was better than the last time these two battled but not as good as the Maxxine title win match. The Natalya wrinkle was expected and something that has been needed for a bit. Becky can finally move on (to AJ I’m guessing) and Maxxine can keep working with experienced hands. Hopefully the use this to pivot to “Low Key Legend Nattie” as well instead of it just being the same ol’ Natalya.

Corey Graves and Michael Cole greet us with shock from ringside. Here’s a look at what happened last week when Bron Breakker speared everyone, got into it with Adam Pearce and was suspended indefinitely – and Paul Heyman nothing that Pearce put his hands on Breakker first.

Raw General Manager Adam Pearce is with AJ Styles, telling him to think about things. Styles is going to call his wife. Paul Heyman enters the scene and Adam laughs, saying he was just thinking about Paul. He tells Adam that the Vision should be on their best behavior and he’ll be ringside as well.

Here’s a video package on Punk vs Balor, our main event tonight.

Finn Balor is with Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez in the Judgment Day clubhouse. Raquel Rodriguez comes in and promises to get her title match when Stephanie Vaquer is cleared. Liv feels like it is the year of the Judgment Day. Finn says we’re on his island tonight and he’s not leaving without it.

WWE World Tag Team Champion Main Event Jey Uso is now in your city and yeets through the crowd as one does. He’s here to declare his spot in this year’s Royal Rumble, ready to be a back-to-back winner. He sends his love to Big Jim and Trinity, offers four letters and one word, ugh ugh, yeet. Big Jim not being on this tour has me a bit worried for Trinity, really, but I’m hoping all is well.

Pearce is walking and comes across New Day and Grayson Waller. Kofi says they flew all the way over here on MLK Day and they are here for the tag title open challenge Jey promised last week. Pearce says there is a four-way match next week and the winners get a title shot.

What a week on the WWE Podcast Network! Undertaker, Bruce Prichard, Bayley, and Lil Yachty are the guests this week.

Penta, WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee vs The Vision (Logan Paul, Big Bronson Reed and Austin Theory, with WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman)

Adam Pearce has taken a comfy chair ringside to watch over things. Theory and Lee start off, nothing happens and they tag in Logan and Penta. Logan attacks during the Penta emote, Penta slingblades Logan. Penta leaps right into an uppercut, Reed and Rey both tag in. The fans chant for “619” as Rey leaps right into Reed’s arms twice, being dunked to the mat the second time. The Vision practice efficient tagging to triple team Rey as Cole thinks Heyman is forming his very own Los Angeles Dodgers. Penta tags in and kicks away at Theory, the luchadors triple team all three opponents and all three leap outside to the opponents for the commercial break.

When we return, the fans are singing “Logan Paul, he’s banned from Japan.” Reed powers out of an attack by Lee and clotheslines both Rey and Penta off the apron. Reed smacks Lee down with a powerslam, Penta and Mysterio come in to interfere as Heyman yells at Pearce about the legalities of the breakup. Rey attacks Theory in the corner as Cole reminds us of Rey winning the Rumble twenty years ago. Twenty! Theory is in 619 position but catches Rey. Penta tags in and goes on attack, dropping a big Penta Driver that is broken up by Reed. Rey ranas Logan over the top and slides out into Logan’s arms, Logan pressing him into the barricade. He turns around to a double dropkick, Reed is kicked out himself and Lee leaps onto him. That leaves us Penta and Theory. Austin stops a Destroyer attempt and Heyman gets on the apron to argue with the ref, Pearce joining him. Paul tosses the brass knuckles to Theory, the ref is shown by Pearce. Pearce yells at Heyman down the ramp as Rey grabs the knuckles, dropping Logan. Penta hits the Mexican Destroyer for the pin.

Penta pins Austin Theory, Rey Mysterio, Penta & Dragon Lee defeat the Vision. I enjoyed this. It was a little longer than it needed to be, but it was mostly enjoyable. We see Heyman texting someone.

Jackie Redmond has found CM Punk. He will be the best in the world tonight and makes some hockey references. The pressure that makes him Best in the World will make Balor break under pressure.

It is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and we see a video package set to “Ain’t No Better Time” by Chris Pierce. Be good to each other.

Heyman is yelling at Pearce backstage. Heyman says we’ll miss Pearce when he’s gone from Raw. He tells Pearce that he just might want to take the phone call and Adam answers with “Go for Adam.” I hate it. Get this man off the show, anybody who answers the phone like that is a monster.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions RhIyo (Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky) join us in the arena, hugging each other as always. They’ll defend their titles at Saturday Night’s Main Event against Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez. Rhea says they’ll be defending their belts in a few nights but knows that Rhea is always on top of Judgment Day. Rhea announces that they’ve been informed they’re in the Rumble match.

Judgment Day (Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez) interrupt. Liv knows they’re taking HER tag titles back to the clubhouse on Saturday. Perez wonders how they’re both going to win the Rumble. Liv tells Iyo that Rhea always turns her back on her tag team partner because she did it to her and Rhea’s selfishness will leave her with nothing and no one. Rox says she, Liv and Raquel are all entering the Rumble which means Judgment Day will go on to main event WrestleMania. Rhea calls Liv’s talk projection and Raquel appears to attack. The numbers game wins and Iyo is hit with the Tejana Bomb before they take down Rhea as well with Oblivion.

Here’s the Harland & Wolff Shipyard, the place where the Titanic was built. Thanks to Eminem for “Gozilla,” our official theme song of Raw.

Bayley is frustrated backstage and joined by Lyra Valkyria. Lyra feels like she’s let her friend down and, as the fans sing for Bayley, Bayley says they have all of 2026 to look forward to including the Royal Rumble which one of them could win.

El Grande Americano (with Rayo & Bravo Americano) vs Je’Von Evans

Cole declares that “Belfast” rhymes with “DoorDash.” Graves notes how brave it was of Americano to make the way from Mexico City and AAA on Saturday to Belfast on Monday. Evans rolls Americano into a pin attempt, the fans sing “Ole.” Cole calls Je’Von “Kingston” as Je’Von dodges a charge by Americano. Je’Von bounces back into the ring and springboards onto Americano. Americano grounds Evans and boots him to the mat before tossing him outside. Je’Von hops the barricade and leaps onto the stairs, then leaping over Bravo and springing back onto El Grande in the ring as we head to break.

When we return from break, Evans is on the mat outside and the doctor is with Evans. The bell rings and Nash declares that Evans can no longer compete.

El Grande Americano defeats Je’Von Evans by match stoppage. Looks like Evans is grabbing for his shoulder/upper chest area. A very unfortunate thing to happen and hopefully it’ll be an easy fix, but it’s better to stop things than further aggravate the injury. The internet is reporting that it was due to the concern of a concussion and that he’s okay, but we’ll see. What we got of the match was good.

Redmond is with Balor. He feels the magnitude of tonight, and he respects Punk but questions his judgment. “You’re on my turf now. This is my island in front of my people and tonight in Belfast, there’s going to be a new Irish World Heavyweight Champion.”

Here’s a look at WWE Unreal season two, specifically the R-Truth release and return. It’ll be on Netflix tomorrow if you’re into watching it. Road Dogg moves his head a LOT when he talks.

Oba Femi: he’s still here. Perhaps you should keep an eye out at the Rumble.

The Vision comes across Pearce backstage. Pearce wants Bron Breakker to come to Raw next week so they can iron things out. As they leave, AJ comes back. His wife told him to kick Gunther’s ass. Pearce makes it official for the Royal Rumble.

Saturday Night’s Main Event is coming up – tickets still available! Randy Orton, Trick Williams, Damian Priest and Sami Zayn face off to determine Drew McIntyre’s Rumble contender. We have the Women’s Tag Title match mentioned earlier as well as Cody Rhodes battling Jacob Fatu.

Kairi Sane is upset backstage when Asuka comes in yelling. She’s upset that she failed Asuka. Asuka says Kairi lost their titles and last week and it almost hurt as much as Iyo turning on her. Kairi will make sure Asuka wins the Royal Rumble. She’s causing her to get accidentally eliminated, isn’t she? “Don’t make me yell at you again, okay?” says Asuka in the most peaceful voice she’s used in three years.

WWE World Heavyweight Title: WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk vs Finn Balor

There’s a smattering of boos for Punk tonight but they sing along with “Cult of Personality” anyway. Balor enters to his face theme tonight and a very, very amount of love from the Belfast crowd. Finn has won two televised singles in as many years, one against Mr. Iguana and the other against Dragon Lee. Punk and Balor have never had a singles match prior to tonight or even been against each other on television outside of two Rumble matches.

The crowd is decidedly behind Balor tonight, booing Punk when he gets the advantage. Punk and Balor trade headlocks and pin attempts. Finn hits a running knee in the corner and Finn answers with a chop. Punk attempts a GTS, Finn counters out. Finn is tossed outside, Punk dives out and knocks him right into Corey’s lap. Punk poses on the table as we take a break.

Balor has a headlock as we return. Punk gets the corner knee and a bulldog – “Vintage Punk,” notes Cole – for a two count. Punk works the neck as the fans sing “Ole, Ole.” The men trade blows The fans trade “Let’s go Balor” and “CM Punk” chants as Balor slings Punk into the corner with punches and kicks. Finn gets a slingblade for two. Balor kicks on the apron and heads up top, Punk following and superplexing him. Balor Slingblades and clotheslines Punk outside, diving out onto Punk before rolling him back inside. Finn goes for the Coup de Grâce, Punk spins into the GTS for a two. He sets up another, Finn elbows out and Slingblades again. Finn dropkicks Punk to the corner and this time hits the Coup de Grâce, only getting a two count out of it. Punk tries again at a GTS, Finn rolls through for a two. Punk rolls Balor into another GTS, hitting this one for a three. Punk retains.

CM Punk pins Finn Balor to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Title. Fantastic match, one elevated by the crowd. Go seek this one out. I’m very into the idea of Finn finally getting that face turn and maybe a run at the Intercontinental Title if nothing else, but I’d also be down for him making that run as a heel. I do like Punk having to fight hard to retain his belt thus far as well.

Punk offers a hand to help Finn up and holds onto it as they exchange words. Punk raises Finn’s arm and an embrace. As the credits roll, Punk celebrates and Finn looks to the crowd from the ramp.

A really entertaining show tonight despite a few bumps. Punk-Balor was great as was the six-man tag. Lynch/Dupri was a step up from their last match, though we really didn’t need ANOTHER match and could’ve gotten to the Natalya story before tonight. The Je’Von injury is unfortunate. The Gunther/Styles story is hitting for me, especially now that we have some added stakes. Are we really losing AJ Styles in two weeks or are we setting up something bigger? The build to the two Rumbles is still a bit slack, but at least we’re announcing some names finally since they’ve made such a big deal of declaring for the match in the last few years.

Next week we continue our international voyage with Raw landing in Toronto. We return to our normal airtime – 8 p.m. ET – and we’ll be feeling the fallout from Saturday Night’s Main Event and getting that last night of build in before heading to Saudi for next week’s SmackDown and the Rumble. I’ll see you next Monday!