WWE Raw on Netflix Anniversary Results, Winners, Live Grades, Highlights

For the first time in 2026, WWE Raw hit the Netflix airwaves with the biggest episode of the year, a jam-packed episode that was Stranger Things-themed and featured marquee title bouts up and down the card.

CM Punk defended the World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker in the night's main event while Becky Lynch sought to regain her Women's Intercontinental Championship from Maxxine Dupri.

Who emerged from those matches, as well as Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs. The Kabuki Warriors for the women's tag titles, victoriously?

Find out with this recap of the January 5 broadcast, including live grades and analysis for every big match and moment.

Lineup

Rich Freeda/WWE via Getty Images

Announced in advance of this week's show were:

World Heavyweight Championship Match: CM Punk (c) vs. Bron Breakker

Women's Tag Team Championship Match: Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs. Asuka and Kairi Sane (c)

Women's Intercontinental Championship Match: Maxxine Dupri (c) vs. Becky Lynch

Lyra Valkyria vs. Liv Morgan

Appearance from Gunther

Appearance from Stephanie Vaquer

Women's Tag Team Championship Match: Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs. Kabuki Warriors

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Last Time in Action: Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky fought Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss to a no contest (Raw, December 1); The Kabuki Warriors lost to Nia Jax and Lash Legend (SmackDown, December 19)

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky sought to avenge months of torment at the hands of The Kabuki Warriors Monday night, challenging Asuka and Kairi Sane for the Women's Tag Team Championship at the top of the broadcast.

The challengers started hot, but the champions double-teamed Ripley on the floor, tossing her into the guardrail and seizing control of the bout. The Eradicator powered her way back into the match and made the tag to Sky, who exploded into the match and sparked a babyface comeback.

A double stomp by Sane to the back of Sky, who was draped over the top rope, regained the heels the advantage heading into the commercial break.

Back from the timeout and Sky created enough separation to tag Ripley in. Mami unloaded on her opponents to the delight of the fans in Brooklyn. She turned Sane inside out with a Razor's Edge and Sky delivered a missile dropkick for a very close near-fall.

Asuka halted the challengers' momentum and the heels teed off on Ripley. They nearly scored the win off an In-Sane Elbow but Sky broke up the pin. Moments later, Mami downed The Empress of Tomorrow with Riptide and The Genius of the Sky added her Over the Moonsault for the win and the titles.

Result

Ripley and Sky defeated The Kabuki Warriors to win the title

Grade

A

Top Moments and Takeaways

Sky paid homage to the newly retired Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Corey Graves mentioned it on commentary. Very cool to see Ace mentioned on Raw.

This was a fantastic match between two great teams that had fans on the edge of their seats, hanging on every near-fall late. Ripley's star power is undeniable, as is the women's division's ability to steal the show. The chemistry was unmistakable, the flow was on-point, and the finish was flawless. This is the hottest the women's tag team division has ever been, and it will be interesting to see who steps up to the new champions.

Gunther Promo

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Last Time in Action: Gunther defeated R-Truth (Raw, December 29)

Moments after general manager Adam Pearce suggested Gunther show some respect in his promo tonight amid additional eyes on this huge night of Netflix action, The Ring General entered the Barclays Center and immediately showed off his new "Tap Like a B***h" T-shirt, immortalizing his victory over John Cena back on December 13.

Addressing the audience, Gunther asked where the respect was for him, which instantly brought out AJ Styles to a big pop.

Gunther taunted The Phenomenal One, to which the future Hall of Famer responded with a nasty slap. "You ain't gonna do nothing," Styles could be overheard telling The Ring General.

"That's what I thought. Nothing," Styles said before dropping the mic and exiting, leaving Gunther dismayed.

Grade

C+

Top Moments and Takeways

This was a disappointing uninspired segment creatively. Styles pulled Gunther's punk card, which will only fuel the heel to avenge the humiliation, but there was nothing else to this segment.

That it ended awkwardly, mistimed even, did not help matters.

Women's Intercontinental Championship Match: Maxxine Dupri vs. Becky Lynch

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Last Time in Singles Action: Maxxine Dupri defeated Ivy Nile (Raw, December 15); Becky Lynch lost to Dupri (Raw, November 11)

Backstage, Styles and Gunther convened at Pearce, who made a match between the two for next week, in Germany, official.

In the arena, Maxxine Dupri and Becky Lynch wrote the latest chapter in their rivalry, with the former defending her Women's Intercontinental Championship against the latter.

The champion frustrated her challenger early and often, firing up entering the commercial break. Back from the timeout, Dupri fired up, going blow-for-blow with the greatest of all time. She splashed her in the corner, added a fisherman's suplex, and pulled down the straps as she upped the intensity.

Dupri caught Lynch in ankle lock but the heel made it to the ropes to force a break. The babyface reapplied the hold but Lynch countered into the Disarmer, only for Dupri to regain control of her submission hold.

They fought up to the top rope, where Lynch delivered a superplex and transitioned right into a DDT for a two-count.

The action continued, neither woman able to grab the sustained advantage, until Dupri applied one more ankle lock. This time, instead of trying to roll out of the hold, Lynch leaned backward, grabbed the bottom rope, and stole the victory and title.

Result

Lynch defeated Dupri to win the title

Grade

B

Top Moments and Takeaways

The latest match in their story did not have the heat behind it that their previous encounters did, but this may have been their best match yet. The chemistry that Dupri and Lynch have with each other is undeniable, while the story they tell in the ring is as timeless as it gets. Lynch is the overconfident veteran, Dupri the underdog rookie. This time, though, the latter could not take advantage of the hubris, instead falling for Lynch's cheating as the heel stole the title and the victory.

It is somewhat disappointing for Dupri that her title reign ended after just one televised defense, but she is a bigger star for having worked this program with Lynch than she ever was before. Kudos to The Man for going all out to make the former Los Angeles Rams cheerleader a star.

Usos and Stephanie Vaquer Promos

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Last Time in Action: The Usos defeated AJ Styles and Dragon Lee to win the World Tag Team Championship (Raw, December 29); Stephanie Vaquer defeated Nikki Bella and Raquel Rodriguez (Raw, December 29)

Fresh off a World Tag Team Championship victory over AJ Styles and Dragon Lee in last Monday's main event, The Usos celebrated with the WWE Universe before cutting a promo in which they reminded the fans who the greatest tag team of all time is. They challenged everyone and anyone who wants to step to them in 2026 to close out the promo.

From there, Jackie Redmond introduced women's world champion Stephanie Vaquer, who limped to the ring, her left foot in a walking boot. She cut a promo discussing her success last year before echoing the words of The Usos by saying she wants more challengers.

Raquel Rodriguez attacked from out of nowhere and brutalized her ankle until referees and Pearce put an end to the assault.

Grade

C for the promos, A+ for the beatdown angle

Top Moments and Takeaways

Neither promo said much of note, nor were they original. In fact, both the Usos and Vaquer had mostly the same things to say. They were open challenges to anyone who wants a shot at the gold, about as generic of content as one could expect.

In the case of Rodriguez's attack on Vaquer (then again backstage after the commercial), it was hugely effective. The heel looked like a destructive force, hellbent on hurting the champion before eventually taking her title. It was a great way to build heel heat for a performer who has lacked that edge for some time.

Lyra Valkyria vs. Liv Morgan

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Last Time in Action: Liv Morgan lost to Kairi Sane via referee stoppage (Raw, June 16); Lyra Valkyria lost to Roxanne Perez (Raw, December 8)

In her first match back in nearly seven months, Liv Morgan squared off with Lyra Valkyria in singles competition. Roxanne Perez seconded the former world champion on one side and Bayley backed up the former IC champ.

Morgan flexed her mean streak entering the commercial break, setting the pace of the match. Back from the timeout, Valkyria mounted a comeback until Morgan cut her off with a devastating Codebreaker.

From there, chaos reigned supreme on the arena floor, with The Prodigy attacking The Role Model, only for Bayley to snap and chase her out of the ring with a steel chair.

The distraction allowed Morgan to catch Valkyria with Oblivion for the win.

Result

Morgan defeated Valkyria

Grade

C+

Top Moments and Takeaways

While it has been much more subdued of late, this was the first major instance of Bayley letting her darker, more uncontrolled side get the best of her. Hopefully, this is an indicator that her multiple personality story is back and in full force.

Morgan looked good in her first match back on television. Having an opponent like Valkyria, who is one of the most gifted in-ring performers on the roster, does not hurt. There was minimal ring rust, thanks to the live event holiday tour she participated in off-screen, and Morgan looks like a competitor ready to seize the moment and make her presence felt in a significant way on the road to WrestleMania 42.

World Heavyweight Championship Match: CM Punk vs. Bron Breakker

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Last Time in Action: CM Punk and Rey Mysterio lost to Bronson Reed and Austin Theory (Raw, December 19); Bron Breakker won WarGames (Survivor Series, November 30)

In the most hyped Raw main event in months, CM Punk defended the World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker.

Punk outwrestled The Badass early, but coming out of the commercial break, the challenger controlled the pace, thanks to his ferocity, speed, and strength advantage. He systematically punished Punk, wearing him down and rocking him with a knee to the face before countering a Go To Sleep attempt with a gut buster for two.

Breakker attempted his sprint around the ring but Punk caught him with a flying clothesline, downing the challenger ahead of the commercial break.

A miscalculation on the heel's part left him writhing on the mat, allowing Punk to deliver his trademark elbow drop for two. Breakker recovered and delivered the Frankensteiner from the top rope for a two count of his own.

As the action intensified, The Vision's Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, and Austin attempted to interfere. Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, and Penta made the save, fighting the heels out of the arena.

Breakker set up for the spear but crashed into the ring post. Punk caught him on the rebound, delivered Go To Sleep, but the challenger kicked out at two. He added an ugly piledriver, and Breakker kicked out at two.

The heel applied a Fujiwara armbar, which Punk escaped from and applied the Anaconda Vise. Breakker powered out and delivered the gut buster again, followed by a clothesline for another near-fall.

Breakker tried to disrespect Punk by delivering his own finishing move. Instead, the Best in the World countered out and into an STF. The second-generation competitor fought his way to the ropes to force the break until Heyman provided a distraction. Punk knocked him out and tried for a tope suicida, but Breakker rocked him with a right hand.

The challenger launched himself from the top rope and onto Punk, driving him through the announce table in one of the damnedest displays of athleticism. The champion recovered, caught Breakker with a knee to the face during a spear attempt, and delivered one last GTS for the win.

Result

Punk defeated Breakker to retain the title

Grade

B

Top Moments and Takeaways

Punk wore a blue and yellow varsity jacket, much like Rick Steiner, Breakker's father, did at the height of his Hall of Fame career.

There was significant hype surrounding this match and for the most part, it lived up to it. Punk looked his age at times, and Breakker matched his inexperience in big matches at others but for the most part, this was a good, hot main event match that had fans hanging on the near-falls.

The run-ins with The Vision, Mysterio, Lee, and Penta were almost unnecessary. Yes, it continues that part of the story, but we could have gotten exactly the same finish without the overbooking.

Breakker was booked solidly here, throwing everything he could at Punk before one small slip-up cost him his dream of winning the title that eluded his father.

A good main event, though the lack of surprises, returns, or major angle advancement may leave fans with a sour taste in their mouths.

Overall Grade

Michael Marques/WWE via Getty Images

For a show that had much hype, pomp, and circumstance, including a Stranger Things theme, this felt surprisingly like any other episode of Raw.

That is not necessarily a bad thing.

The opener and main events were great, Becky Lynch once again proved why she is the best to ever do it, there was a hot injury angle from Rodriguez and Vaquer, and Gunther vs. Styles was set up for next week.

All of that probably was not enough to win over the portion of the fan base that demands massive surprises, social media moments, and storyline developments every week.

Still, this was a solid show with some great in-ring action. It kicked off the year on the right foot and gave fans a taste of what is to come from Breakker in a main event setting.

Grade: B+