WWE RAW: AJ Styles vs Gunther; Special start time & more set for next week (January 12, 2026)

The first Raw of 2026 kicked off a new feud.

The first Monday Night Raw of 2026 is set to emanate live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. To keep the New Year momentum going, WWE presented a special Stranger Things–themed edition of Raw.

The show featured three title clashes as well as the in-ring return of Liv Morgan against Lyra Valkyria, where Liv emerged victorious. On the other hand, AJ Styles confronted Gunther, while Raquel Rodriguez launched a vicious attack on an injured Stephanie Vaquer.

In the first match of the show, the team of Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky defeated The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) to become the new Women’s Tag Team Champions. On the other hand, Becky Lynch managed to pin Maxxine Dupri to regain the Women’s Intercontinental title.

In the main event of the show, CM Punk conquered Bron Breakker, despite interferences from Paul Heyman and the rest of the Vision to retain the World Heavyweight title in his first defense since winning the title in November.

Also Read: WWE Raw Results & Winners (January 5, 2026): CM Punk triumphs over Bron Breakker to retain World title; Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky win Women’s Tag Titles & more

WWE heads to Europe ahead of the Royal Rumble PLE

Following the conclusion of the first Raw of 2026, WWE will now depart for Europe ahead of the first PLE of 2026. The promotion will deliver multiple live events and weekly episodes of Raw and SmackDown from the continent, before heading back to North America for January’s SNME in Quebec, Canada, followed by the Royal Rumble PLE in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The promotion has announced a massive singles match for next week’s show, and fans expect the card for Saturday Night’s Main Event to take shape, along with the build towards the Royal Rumble.

AJ Styles and Gunther will tussle in a singles match for the first time ever. The match was set up following their segment this week, where Styles confronted Gunther, who continued to insult John Cena.

The Ring General continued the disrespect, asking what “little AJ” was going to do about it, even hitting the “You Can’t See Me” taunt. Styles answered by slapping Gunther, leading to a brief face-to-face clash as Styles challenged him.

Following the segment, Gunther asked for the match from General Manager Adam Pearce, while Styles mocked him and called him a ‘b*tch’ for going to the boss to complain. Gunther again asked for the match as Pearce made it official for next week.

The January 12, 2026, episode of WWE Raw is set to emanate from the PSD Bank Dome in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

The show will have a special early start time of 2 PM ET/ 11 AM PT on Netflix, infact the upcoming two weeks of Raw until the go-home show for Royal Rumble will have a special start time.

Announced for WWE Raw next week (January 12, 2026)

• AJ Styles vs Gunther

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