WWE Raw Results & Winners (January 19, 2026): CM Punk triumphs over Finn Balor in intense showdown; Gunther vs AJ Styles announced for Royal Rumble & more
(Courtesy : WWE)
Judgment Day attack Rhiyo; Je’Von Evans suffers an injury & more!
In its final stop on the European tour ahead of the Royal Rumble PLE, WWE arrived in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to deliver the January 19 episode of Monday Night Raw. The SSE Arena in Belfast played host to the show, which featured two marquee title showdowns.
The European tour will conclude on January 20th with a House show in Belgium, as WWE travels to Canada for SNME. Multiple top stars, including CM Punk, Gunther, Becky Lynch, Rhea Ripley, Finn Balor, and Jey Uso, among others, were advertised for the show.
As with last week’s episode, this week’s SNME go-home show also aired at a special early start time. Get to know what happened this Monday, as we have the complete summary, highlights, results, and winners’ list for the 1/19 episode of WWE Raw.
WWE Raw Summary and Highlights
You tapped out!
Gunther stated that AJ made a mistake last week, as he was so focused on forcing him to tap out that he forgot he was in the ring with a two-time World Champion, the man who put Goldberg to sleep, and the man who made John Cena tap out.
Gunther stated that his future looked very bright and that it led him to the World Heavyweight Championship. The Ring General then declared himself for the 2026 Royal Rumble. AJ Styles walked out. AJ faced off with Gunther, stating that he knew Gunther wanted to move on, but he didn’t.
Styles called for a rematch at the Royal Rumble. Gunther stated that he was going to win the Royal Rumble and that he wasn’t looking to pull double duty, so his answer was no. AJ stated that Gunther sounded scared, which stopped the Ring General in his tracks as he got back in the ring.
Styles stated that he showed Gunther mercy, which was why he lost. He then pointed out that Gunther tapped out like a “little b*tch.” Styles continued to taunt Gunther, as the Ring General stated that last week he proved he was the smarter wrestler than AJ, and his answer remained no.
Gunther stepped out of the ring as the crowd’s chants grew louder. He then got back in the ring and stated that there might be something AJ could do. AJ quickly asked him to name it. Gunther stated that if AJ wanted a match at the Royal Rumble, he would have to put his career on the line.
Gunther told AJ to think about it, if that was a hill worth dying on, and stated that he expected an answer by the end of the night, unless AJ was a little scared. Gunther dropped the mic and left, as AJ contemplated his choices.
Grade: B+
Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Backstage, Natalya surprised Maxxine and told her she was going to be in Maxxine’s corner against Becky Lynch.
Becky Lynch (c) vs Maxxine Dupri – Women’s Intercontinental title match
With Natalya in her corner, Maxxine Dupri battled Becky Lynch in a rematch, trying to regain the title. However, Natalya ended up betraying Dupri during a pin attempt as she put Becky’s foot on the ropes, breaking the pin. Lynch capitalized, hitting the manhandle slam to pin Dupri and retain the title.
What followed was a brutal beatdown by Natalya, who locked in the Sharpshooter until a referee stepped in to make her release it, though she continued landing vicious blows.
Winner & Still: Becky Lynch
Grade: B
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Natalya’s turn was a bit too predictable because of the long camera cutaway during the backstage segment before the match. That said, it’s still a great new direction for both Dupri and Natalya, and it feels like a solid way to likely wrap up the Becky–Dupri feud.
- Backstage, GM Adam Pearce asked AJ Styles to please think about the challenge from Gunther. AJ said that he’s going to call his wife. Paul Heyman then walked in, and Pearce reaffirmed to Heyman that Bron Breakker is still suspended and informed him that he would be at ringside for The Vision’s tag team match.
- Backstage, Raquel Rodriguez reveals that Stephanie Vaquer was still not cleared. She vowed that if Vaquer put her title on the line, she would defeat her even more decisively than last week. Liv then stated that Raquel would be the next champion and insisted that this year would be theirs. She predicted that both she and Finn would win their titles and added that, although she hadn’t trusted Roxy at first, she had become her prodigy, and together they would claim the championship on Saturday. Finn claimed that they were on his island and that the World Title was on the line. He said he would not leave without it.
- Jey Uso made his way in the crowd, announcing that he was officially entering the Royal Rumble. He claimed he would become a back-to-back winner and called it a warning shot to all competitors.
- Backstage, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Grayson Waller confronted Pearce, complaining about Jey’s promo and asking for their deserved Tag title match. Pearce informed them that next week, they would compete in a Fatal Four-Way Match for a title opportunity, leaving them even more furious.
Rey Mysterio, Penta & Dragon Lee vs The Vision (Bronson Reed, Austin Theory & Logan Paul) – 6-man tag team match
The six-man tag match began with GM Adam Pearce ringside, keeping a close eye on the match and Paul Heyman as well. The match turned into chaos when Pearce and Heyman both stepped on the apron, arguing, which distracted the official, and Logan Paul slipped in the Brass Knuckles to Austin Theory. However, the official caught Theory and Pearce, who whipped the Brass Knuckles from Theory’s hand.
Heyman confronted Pearce about it, and the two went arguing backstage. Meanwhile, Rey Mysterio capitalized, picking the knuckles to hit Theory. Penta then dropped Logan and delivered a Mexican Destroyer to pin Theory and win the six-man tag team match.
Winner: Rey Mysterio, Penta & Dragon Lee
Grade: B+
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Paul Heyman was seen texting someone after the bizarre finish that saw the Vision lose, with the brass knuckles working against them.
- During the commercials, The New Day complained about not getting a tag title shot and instead having to face American Made, Los Americanos, and Alpha Academy in a triple-threat match next week.
- Backstage, Paul Heyman caught up to Adam Pearce, with tensions running high. Heyman subtly threatened Pearce and urged him to take the phone call. Pearce answered the call as the segment ended.
The Judgment Day attack Rhiyo
Ripley hyped the Belfast fans and talked about their upcoming title defense against Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez, before warning them that when it came to her and Judgment Day, ‘Rhiyo’ is always on top. Rhea continued, stating that after their title defense at SNME, the two would participate in the Royal Rumble. Iyo officially declared for the Rumble as Liv’s music hit, and she appeared alongside Roxanne.
Liv stated that they would take the tag titles back to the clubhouse, a title she had never lost. Perez asked how both Ripley and Iyo entering the Rumble would work. Liv then advised Iyo to be cautious of Rhea, since she had turned on her. Perez declared herself, Liv, and Raquel Rodriguez for the 2026 Royal Rumble.
Rhea said it all seemed like a projection, since all members of Judgment Day were in the women’s Rumble match, questioning how that would work.
Raquel Rodriguez then appeared and attacked Ripley, as Iyo tried to fight back, but the numbers game took over as Liv delivered an Oblivion and Raquel slammed Ripley with the Tahana Bomb. Ripley attempted to fight back but took another Oblivion from Liv. Judgment Day stood tall to end the segment.
Grade: B
Insights & Backstage Moments:
- A decent enough segment to hype up the upcoming tag title clash at SNME.
- Backstage, Bayley and Lyra Valkyria declared themselves for the Royal Rumble 2026, contemplating a win for each other.
Je’Von Evans vs El Grande Americano
The match began with Evan outmaneuvering El Grande Americano and even ducking Rayo and Bravo Americano to deliver a springboard lariat, taking down El Grande to send us into commercials. Back from commercials, Evans was being examined by medical staff, with no clear explanation of what had happened. Evans was injured and unable to compete, and El Grande Americano was announced as the winner.
Winner: El Grande Americano by referee stoppage
Grade: –
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Khel Now sends well wishes for a swift recovery to the Young OG.
- During the commercials, Rey Mysterio announced himself, Penta, and Dragon Lee for the 2026 Royal Rumble.
- Backstage, The Vision ran into Adam Pearce as Heyman rushed in to separate the two. Pearce told Heyman that he needed to speak with Bron Breakker and asked him to have Bron available next week. Heyman teased whether the decision had something to do with the phone call and mockingly told Pearce to be on his best behavior next week.
- The Vision left as AJ Styles walked in. Pearce asked if he had spoken to his wife, and AJ said she told him to “kick Gunther’s ass.” Pearce then made it official for the Royal Rumble.
CM Punk (c) vs Finn Balor – World Heavyweight title match
In front of a red-hot Belfast crowd, CM Punk defended the World Heavyweight title against Finn Balor. The crowd initially sang along to Punk’s entrance song, but turned on him as soon as Finn made his entrance, bringing back his old theme.
Both men, as expected, delivered an intense showdown with close pins, both men kicking out of each other’s finishers. However, in the end, Punk managed to hit the second GTS to pin Balor and retain the title in the main event. Both men shared a hug, showcasing mutual respect to end the show.
Winner & Still: CM Punk
Grade: A
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Per Cole, this was the first time the World Heavyweight title was defended on the island of Ireland.
- Balor brought back his old theme in front of a deafening Belfast crowd, who gave him a babyface reception.
- Backstage before the main event, the Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) had a tense exchange. Asuka raged about how Kairi had embarrassed her, while Sane apologized. Asuka said it almost hurt as much as Iyo’s betrayal had. Kairi repeatedly slapped herself and promised she would do everything to ensure Asuka won the Royal Rumble.
WWE Raw 01/19 Results
- Becky Lynch (c) pinned Maxxine Dupri – Women’s Intercontinental title match
- Rey Mysterio, Penta & Dragon Lee defeated The Vision (Bronson Reed, Austin Theory & Logan Paul) – 6-man tag team match
- El Grande Americano defeated Je’Von Evans by doctor stoppage
- CM Punk (c) pinned Finn Balor – World Heavyweight title match
Who won in the main event of WWE Raw tonight?
CM Punk pinned Finn Balor to retain the World Heavyweight title in the main event of tonight’s show.
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.
When and where will the upcoming edition of SNME take place?
The January 24 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event is set to emanate live from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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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.