4 Ups & 7 Downs From WWE Raw (5 January - Results & Review)

Raw came roaring into 2026 with a big anniversary show celebrating one year on Netflix by executing a crossover with the immensely popular television series Stranger Things. They announced three title matches and booked Liv Morgan’s return to the ring as well.

But while Raw came in riding high on hype, it sputtered along for its usual two-and-a-half-hour run, bookended by solid in-ring action. It did not feel like the biggest wrestling promotion on the planet was firing on all cylinders.

That’s not to say that 2026 is doomed and WWE laid an egg Monday night, but it certainly didn’t live up to the hype. If a potential new fan tuned in for the first time, does anyone think they were hooked enough to tune back in next week?

Still, Raw managed to deliver a fun, action-packed opener that saw Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky capture tag gold. It returned the Women’s Intercontinental Championship to its rightful owner, Becky Lynch. And it saw CM Punk do his aging gunslinger routine, retaining his World Heavyweight Championship against a game Bron Breakker.

There’s definitely room for improvement here, but one thing WWE needs to get a handle on sooner rather than later: stop hyping shows when you’re only going to put in moderate effort. There’s some old childhood tale about a boy and wolf and not believing the boy that might apply here.

Let’s get to it…