Table of Contents
In our WWE RAW January 5 2026 Review, we look back at a “Stranger Things” themed night in Brooklyn that lived up to the name—though perhaps not in the way management intended. From a heart-stopping World Title main event that nearly ended in catastrophe to a massive shift in the women’s division hierarchy, the first Monday night of the new year established a chaotic blueprint for the road to the Royal Rumble. This WWE RAW January 5 2026 Review breaks down every high and low from the Barclays Center.
The Main Event: Punk’s Resilience vs. Breakker’s Brutality
The headline story of this WWE RAW January 5 2026 Review is the 28-minute odyssey between World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk and the powerhouse challenger Bron Breakker. Punk entered the arena wearing a Steiner-style Michigan letterman jacket—a direct psychological jab at the Steiner lineage—but the mind games almost didn’t matter when the bell rang.
For the majority of the match, Punk was physically overwhelmed. Our advanced wrestling analytics show Breakker dominated nearly 70% of the offensive output. However, the match took a frightening turn during an avalanche Frankensteiner spot. A communication breakdown led to Breakker landing squarely on his head. In a display of sheer professional grit, both men adjusted and finished the match.
The finish was a masterpiece of “Big Match” chaos. Interference from The Vision (Austin Theory and Bronson Reed) looked set to end Punk’s reign until the LWO and the surprise return of Penta evened the odds. After being sent through the announce table, Punk utilized a desperate knee strike to counter a spear, setting up the GTS that allowed him to escape Brooklyn with his title intact. As we conclude this part of our WWE RAW January 5 2026 Review, Punk remains the “Best in the World,” but his survival was by the narrowest of margins.
A New Nightmare: Ripley and Sky Capture Tag Team Gold
The landscape of the tag team division shifted dramatically tonight. Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky (affectionately dubbed “RHIYO” by the fans) ended the reign of the Kabuki Warriors in a match that was equal parts technical brilliance and sheer brutality.
A scary moment saw Kairi Sane take a rough landing from a Ripley Razor’s Edge, but Sane’s legendary toughness kept the match moving. The end came when Iyo Sky, the “Genius of the Sky,” connected with her signature Moonsault immediately following a Ripley Riptide. This “super-team” pairing of two former World Champions makes them arguably the most dangerous tag team in WWE history. According to recent Cagematch ratings, this was one of the highest-rated TV matches of the young year.
Liv Morgan’s Triumphant TV Return
One of the most anticipated segments of this WWE RAW January 5 2026 Review was the return of Liv Morgan to televised action. Facing the technically sound Lyra Valkyria, Morgan looked as sharp as ever despite her recent time away.
The match served as a crossroads for several storylines. Just as Valkyria seemed to gain momentum, a chaotic brawl between Bayley and Roxanne Perez spilled through the ring area. Morgan, ever the opportunist, capitalized on the distraction to hit Oblivion. Morgan’s win percentage for the 2026 season now sits at a perfect 100%, positioning her as a frontrunner for the Rumble. For more on Liv’s stats, check out our 2026 WWE Standings.
Becky Lynch Reclaims the Intercontinental Title
In a result that divided the fans, Becky Lynch defeated Maxxine Dupri to become the new Women’s Intercontinental Champion. While “The Man” holding gold is a familiar sight, this match was a struggle.
Dupri, while improving, looked out of her depth against the veteran Lynch. Chemistry issues led to several botched exchanges that the Brooklyn crowd met with chants for the absent Chris Jericho. Realizing the match was slipping away, Lynch pivoted to her heel instincts, using the ropes for leverage during a bridging pin to secure the victory. This WWE RAW January 5 2026 Review notes that while Lynch is champion again, the controversial finish suggests this rivalry is far from over.
Quick Hits & Results
| Match | Winner | Key Moment |
| Women’s Tag Titles | Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky | NEW CHAMPS: Moonsault/Riptide combo. |
| Women’s IC Title | Becky Lynch | NEW CHAMP: Lynch uses ropes for leverage. |
| Singles Match | Liv Morgan | Morgan hits Oblivion during ringside chaos. |
| World Title | CM Punk (c) | Punk survives a table bump to GTS Breakker. |
The Bottom Line: Our WWE RAW January 5 2026 Review highlights a show that was heavy on consequence. We have three new champions and a World Champion who proved he can still survive the most athletic threats of the modern era. While the middle of the card suffered from production and chemistry issues, the red brand has successfully set the stakes for the upcoming season.