WWE Raw Results & Winners (January 12, 2026): Gunther cheats to win first ever showdown against AJ Styles; Adam Pearce suspends Bron Breakker indefinitely & more
(Courtesy : WWE.com)
Fin Balor interrupts CM Punk; Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez win & more!
On the road to the Royal Rumble, WWE arrived in Düsseldorf for the January 12 edition of Monday Night Raw. This week’s show kicked off the build towards the upcoming Saturday Night’s Main Event as the promotion prepares for the first PLE of 2026.
The January 12 show took place at the PSD Bank Dome in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Multiple stars, including Gunther, AJ Styles, CM Punk, Logan Paul, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed, among others, were advertised for the show.
The show aired at a special early start time of 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT on Netflix. In fact, for the next two weeks leading up to the Royal Rumble go-home show, RAW will continue with this adjusted schedule.
Get to know what happened this Monday, as we have the complete summary, highlights, results, and winners’ list for the 1/12 episode of WWE Raw.
WWE Raw Summary and Highlights
Rhiyo kicks off the broadcast
Ripley and Iyo were greeted with massive cheers from the Düsseldorf crowd as Rhea recapped how the duo had been battling the Kabuki Warriors for weeks, culminating in their victory to become the new Tag Team Champions. Iyo thanked the fans, stating that Asuka and Kairi had shown no respect, but that respect was beaten into them, declaring that no one was ready for Rhiyo.
Ripley said the party was just getting started as she laid out the opportunity for everyone. Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez appeared, interrupting the tag champs. Morgan congratulated them on the title win but reminded them that the championships still belonged to her, insisting she never lost them.
Morgan demanded the titles and said she would take them, only for Bayley and Lyra Valkyria to interrupt. Bayley pointed out that while Liv did not lose the titles herself, her tag partner did, and noted that she had recently defeated Roxanne. Bayley argued that she and Lyra deserved the next title opportunity.
Rhea responded by saying the challenge was open to anyone, as Iyo began shouting in Japanese while tensions escalated among the challengers. Suddenly, the Kabuki Warriors struck from behind, taking out Ripley and Iyo before entering the ring as a brawl broke out. Rhiyo quickly recovered, re-entered the ring, and laid waste to the heels, standing tall after clearing the ring.
Grade: B
Insights & Moments:
- First time in almost 29 years, Monday Night Raw emanated from Germany, and for the first time from Düsseldorf, per Michael Cole
- Cole also mentioned during the Vision’s arrival that Bron Breakker is “nowhere to be found” since losing to CM Punk last week.
- Backstage, AJ Styles addressed the main event clash against Gunther, vowing to make the Ring General tap out.
Je’Von Evans vs Bravo Americano
In his first match since officially joining the Red brand, former NXT standout Je’Von Evans battled Bravo Americano in singles action. El Grande & Rayo Americano were ringside, causing interferences to aid Bravo. However, the Young OG prevailed, connecting with the OG Cutter to secure the victory before narrowly escaping a post-match beatdown from Los Americanos, who attacked him after the bell.
Winner: Je’Von Evans
Grade: B+
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- This was Evans’ first win as an official member of Monday Night Raw.
- Backstage, Adam Pearce warned Paul Heyman to keep Bron Breakker and his “bad intentions” away from tonight’s show.
- Jey Uso cut a short promo during the commercials, once again putting the whole division on notice.
Finn Balor interrupts CM Punk
Amid deafening “CM PUNK” chants, the World Heavyweight Champion hyped up the crowd before stating that he planned to be champion forever, while acknowledging that on the Road to WrestleMania, anything could happen.
Punk mentioned Cody Rhodes, saying that while he could plan on remaining champion, nothing was guaranteed, but with the fans by his side, it was possible. He added that before WrestleMania, there is the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber, and that the road to WrestleMania goes through him.
Punk said that The Vision was now in his rearview mirror after last week and that he was excited to see who his next opponent would be. As Punk prepared to leave, Finn Bálor appeared, stating that he was not waiting for the Royal Rumble or Elimination Chamber, nor was he asking for a handout. He reminded Punk that when he won the title, he mentioned Bálor as someone he wanted to face, so here he was.
Punk acknowledged mentioning Bálor but questioned where his ambition had been. He blamed Bálor for playing video games, worrying about Dominik and JD, and even polishing Liv Morgan’s boots. Punk asked whether he would be facing Finn Bálor or Finn Bálor of The Judgment Day, but added that he was a man of his word.
He praised Bálor as impressive and said that as a fighting champion, and announced that he was heading backstage to lace up his boots and that they would do it right then. Bálor responded that timing was everything. He said he was not jumping the line to face Punk, because the line started with him.
Bálor added that Punk didn’t need to worry about Dominik or JD, but that he wouldn’t be alone. He pointed out that Punk pointed out how Punk always has the home-field advantage in Chicago and noted that next week they would be in Belfast. Bálor declared it would be Punk vs Bálor, and that he would become the new World Heavyweight Champion.
Punk accepted the challenge, then apologized to the Düsseldorf fans for Bálor rejecting the immediate match, before apologizing in advance to the Belfast crowd, stating he would still be champion next week.
Grade: B+
Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Cole mentioned that if the match is made official, it will be the main event for next week’s show.
- The segment and the subsequent match announcement have generated a lot of buzz among fans who were demanding a push for Balor.
Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez vs Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) – #1 Contenders match for the Women’s Tag Team titles
Following the opening segment, a #1 Contenders match for the Women’s Tag Team titles was set, where the team of Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez, Bayley & Lyra Valkyria, and The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) battled for a shot at the title.
Perez and Morgan won the match as Morgan pinned Sane after hitting the Oblivion. The two will now battle Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky for the Women’s Tag Team titles at the upcoming Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Winner: Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez
Grade: B
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- With the win, Liv moves one step closer to regaining the Women’s Tag Team titles, a title which she “never lost.”
- In a pre-recorded promo, Becky Lynch sent a stern warning to Maxxine ahead of their IC title rematch, which was subsequently announced for next week in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
- Backstage, Maxxine Durpi told Otis and Akira Tozawa that she finally won gold once she started believing in herself, encouraging them to do the same. She then sent a response to Becky Lynch ahead of the announced clash.
Raquel Rodriguez strikes again
Michael Cole welcomed Raquel Rodriguez, who appeared to address last week’s attack on Stephanie Vaquer. When asked about the incident and her actions, Rodriguez said she had patiently waited for a title opportunity, only to be cheated out of her shot.
Rodriguez then berated both the fans and Cole for feeling sorry for Vaquer, declaring that she would not stop until she got a showdown with Vaquer. She added that when she became World Champion, everyone could feel sorry for Vaquer.
Vaquer’s music hit as the champion made her way out wearing a leg brace, with security and officials quickly surrounding her to keep the situation under control. Vaquer stated that she was the champion and that her injury would not stop her.
Rodriguez suddenly rushed in again, attacking Vaquer by slamming her injured leg onto the ramp and whipping it with the World Title to conclude the beatdown. Officials assisted Vaquer to the back as she was unable to put any weight on the injured leg after the beatdown.
Grade: C+
Backstage Moment:
- Otis and Akira Tozawa approached Jey Uso backstage about a Tag Team Championship opportunity, mentioning Jey’s challenge to the entire roster. Jey initially took them lightly, but Otis persisted as Jey said he would speak to Jimmy and get back to them, before reminding them that they would be stepping in the ring with the best tag team in the game.
Penta & Dragon Lee vs Austin Theory & Bronson Reed – Tag Team match
After their last week’s scruffufle, Penta teamed up with Dragon Lee to battle The Vision’s Austin Theory and Bronson Reed. Penta and Lee not only managed to beatdown Theory, but also managed to contain Reed, landing damage. However, it all came crashing down as Bron Breakker suddenly appeared, taking out Lee with a vicious spear before stepping into the ring to spear Penta. Breakker then stepped outside to size up Lee, but GM Adam Pearce intervened, warning him to go home. Back in the ring, Reed delivered a Tsunami on Penta.
Pearce re-entered the ring to confront Reed as Breakker again took out Lee with a spear. The GM lost his composure while confronting Breakker, who shoved Pearce into the corner, yelling about what the GM could do. Reed, Heyman, and Logan tried to calm him down. Heyman apologized to Pearce and instructed the Vision members to get Breakker out of the ring.
Adam Pearce caught up with Bron backstage and informed him that he was suspended indefinitely. Breakker got in Pearce’s face again, as Reed managed to contain him. Paul Heyman then appeared and told Pearce that he had just made a big mistake by putting his hands on Bron first.
Winner: Penta & Dragon Lee via DQ
Grade: A
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- This was Penta’s first match since November, when he suffered a shoulder injury during the Last Time is Now Tournament match against Solo Sikoa.
- Backstage, Je’Von Evans told Penta and Dragon Lee that he had their back if they needed anything, as the luchadors were being tended to by medical staff.
AJ Styles vs Gunther
The main event of the show featured a first showdown between AJ Styles and Gunther on WWE programming. The match turned out to be a gruelling affair with Styles targeting Gunther’s left leg, while the Ring General fired back vicious chops and a clothesline.
In the final moments of the match, Gunther hit a massive dropkick as Styles transitioned into the Calf-Crusher. The Ring General screamed in agony near the ropes as Styles rolled through and locked the hold in again at the center of the ring.
Styles released the hold, believing Gunther had tapped, and began arguing with the official. The confrontation escalated as the referee informed Alicia Taylor that the match would continue. Meanwhile, Gunther delivered a low blow to Styles while the official was distracted, then followed it up with a powerbomb to pin Styles and secure another victory.
A replay of the ending aired, clearly showing Gunther’s tap, sneakingly on the other side, which the referee didn’t see, while Cole and Wade argued about the finish as the footage played again. Gunther walked laughingly to the entrance ramp, glancing at the replay as the show came to an end.
Winner: Gunther
Grade: A
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Another Oba Femi vignette appeared before the main event.
- During Gunther’s walkout, Cole mentioned the former World Champion’s journey in Germany and his time in WXW (Westside Xtreme Wrestling).
WWE Raw 01/12 Results
- Je’Von Evans pinned Bravo Americano
- Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez defeated Bayley & Lyra Valkyria & The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) – #1 Contenders match for the Women’s Tag Team titles
- Penta & Dragon Lee vs Austin Theory & Bronson Reed – Tag Team match ended in DQ as Bron Breakker attacked
- GM Adam Pearce suspended Bron Breakker indefinitely
- Gunther defeated AJ Styles
Who won in the main event of WWE Raw tonight?
Gunther defeated AJ Styles in their first encounter on WWE TV to win in the main event tonight.
What is the first PLE of 2026?
The 39th edition of Royal Rumble, also promoted as Royal Rumble: Riyadh, will be the first PLE of 2026. The event is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.