Finn Bálor Matters Again, Final Chance for Longtime WWE Star and More Raw Fallout

The January 19 edition of Raw on Netflix aired from the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland to a packed crowd cheering on Finn Bálor's unlikely challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship.

The Prince turned back the clock with his best performance in years against CM Punk, but he ultimately fell short in his attempt to capture gold.

Elsewhere, AJ Styles put his career on the line to get a rematch with Gunther at the Royal Rumble, while Maxxine Dupri attempted to reclaim the Women's Intercontinental Championship in an inspired effort that was negated by Natalya.

Stars started declaring for the Rumble matches, including Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky and Jey Uso, with more expected to follow.

This was just the foundation of a dramatic night in Northern Ireland.

Finn Bálor is Trending Up in 2026

Finn Bálor has had a bad few years.

His turn on Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley in 2024 was clearly about elevating them over himself. In 2025, The Judgment Day's focus was almost entirely driven by the desire to put over Dominik Mysterio as one of the rising stars in the business.

Bálor is approaching 45 years old and works a high-impact style that he cannot keep up with much longer.

This could be the last year The Prince can compete for or even win a world championship, so his match on Raw against CM Punk was vital to that goal.

By the end, it was clear Bálor could still deliver at the top level, and it would be a mistake not to capitalize on his story.

This is a star who suffered a career-changing injury in the same match where he won the Universal Championship. He has not held a world title since.

The story writes itself. A face turn for The Prince could easily come to fruition in the coming months and can keep pushing Bálor forward.

AJ Styles Retirement Remains Only a Tease

This take could age poorly in just two weeks, but it seems unreal that WWE would end AJ Styles' retirement year in January with little fanfare.

Even Goldberg's retirement match got more hype behind it ahead of his loss to Gunther. If it all ends at the Royal Rumble, the show won't even close with Styles' retirement.

For this reason, putting Styles' career on the line against The Ring General should serve as only a tease, setting up a surprise victory for The Phenomenal One.

Styles has signed multiple extensions with WWE in the past and will certainly sign a Legends deal this year that can allow him to compete further.

As a tease, Gunther vs. Styles could be an incredible contest and might even steal the show from the Rumble matches. perhaps even setting the stage a Ring General loss followed by a win in the men's Battle Royal later in the same night.

However, it should definitely not be the end of Styles' wrestling career.

This is Natalya's Last Chance

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Natalya turned on Maxxine Dupri and attacked her on Raw.

The 20-year anniversary of Natalya signing her first WWE contract is on the horizon. Her career over that time has seen many highs and lows.

The last few years have been far more low than high, but that may be changing in 2026.

After a rocky alliance with Maxxine Dupri in 2025, The Low-Key Legend is turning heel again, which should give her a spotlight once more.

In the past year, Natalya has set the stage for this turn with her work outside of WWE. Working in both GCW and AAA, she has presented a more self-centered character.

She should be bringing that to Raw after this heel turn, making the most of the spotlight on Dupri to present herself in a new light.

If all goes well, Natalya could reestablish herself as a valuable veteran for WWE as she closes out her career in the next few years.

If it does not, she could easily disappear from TV again and mainly serve as a competitor in AAA through the rest of her WWE contract.

The Low-Key Legend has the upside to truly compete on a roster that needs depth. It will be up to Natalya and solid creative behind her to solidify her new character.

Where is the Royal Rumble Buzz?

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Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky and Liv Morgan have all announced for the women's Rumble match.

The Royal Rumble is typically the most exciting time in WWE. It is the first step on the road to WrestleMania and presents the most unpredictability in this entire season.

With 30 competitors in the men's and women's Rumble matches, there are so many possibilities not only for the winner but also the rivalries born in this contest.

This year, though, WWE has barely begun to talk up the Rumble with less than two weeks to go before the event on January 31.

Cody Rhodes declared his intention to win the Rumble on SmackDown, and more names have announced their entry into the contest on Raw.

No one has truly sold the importance of the moment, though, instead spending more time and hype on Saturday Night's Main Event one week before.

There is no reason SNME should be happening one week before the Rumble or that most of the roster is treating the premium live event as an afterthought.

This is the time to build unrealized hype, sell the shocking and unexpected as real possibilities that can transform into WrestleMania stories.

Anything less is a waste of the Rumble as a concept.