Raw Deal - Raw recap for January 26, 2026

"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles heads to the ring to start tonight's show. He brings up Gunther's claim that he will end his WWE career at Royal Rumble, then proclaims that he is not going anywhere. He also make it clear that 2026 will be the year that he retires. Styles says he wants to enjoy retirement along with the fans, especially when John Cena took all of 2025 to say goodbye to do the same, and mentions that there are a lot of people he would love to wrestle one more time. He also mentions that he wants to be world champion one more time. Styles then states that Gunther may be good, but he is not phenomenal. Suddenly, CM Punk shows up and heads to the ring. Punk mentions his twenty-plus year history with Styles and states that there is nothing but respect between them, then wants to know what Styles is doing putting his career on the line against Gunther, especially when the two of them still have a lot of moments to make. He also tells Styles that he has watched his career during their friendship and feels that the stakes are just too high. Styles takes this as Punk thinking he cannot beat Gunther, but Punk says he knows Styles can beat Gunther. Punk says that if Royal Rumble does not go Styles' way, then the two of then cannot square off in a WWE ring. Styles, admitting that he knows that Punk is not coming across in a such a way, says that Punk is being disrespectful, but Punk says he is more selfish than anything. Styles says he can beat Gunther, and he knows that he can Punk. Punk says that if Styles loses, the world will never know for sure, and that leaves him at a loss as to what to do. Styles proposes that they face each other tonight, and if he beats Punk tonight, he will be #1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship if he beats Gunther at Royal Rumble. Punk says that he promised to be a fighting champion, and if they are going to do this tonight, they are going to do this for the championship. He then accepts Styles' challenge for tonight with the title on the line. Both men then shake hands.

Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky and Stephanie Vaquer beat The Judgment Day (Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Roxanne Perez) in a six-woman tag match.

Backstage, Finn Balor catches up to CM Punk. He says that even though he did not win last week, he was still part of the most important night of his career. Finn thanks Punk, then says there are not a lot of men like them left. He proposes that Finn leave The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Roxanne Perez), as he will not do much hanging with "trash" like "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, and tells him to win the Royal Rumble.

Triple H is revealed to be the cover athlete for WWE 2K26's deluxe edition.

The Vision ("The Oracle" Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, "Big" Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, Austin Theory) heads to the ring. Paul Heyman introduces The Vision, including Bron Breakker, who will be speaking with General Manager Adam Pearce regarding his suspension. Heyman mentions that Pearce put his hands on Breakker first, which he calls conduct becoming an executive in WWE, and claims that Pearce planted the brass knuckles that he took away from The Vision in last week's match so that Rey Mysterio could use them. He then states that the table has been set and that The Vision welcomes Pearce's presence. Pearce heads to the ring, and Bronson has to hold Breakker back. Pearce says he is not here to make excuses or apologize for wearing his heart on his sleeves, then admits that things got out of hand. He apologizes for putting his hands on Breakker first and states that this will not happen again. He also announces that Breakker is no longer suspended and is in the men's Royal Rumble Match. Heyman thanks Pearce and offers to shake Pearce's hand, then puts Logan Paul, Bronson Reed and Austin Theory in the Rumble as well. He also gives Theory a chance at redemption against Rey Mysterio after last week's match, and makes it official tonight. The match then takes place right now.

Austin Theory beats Rey Mysterio with a curb stomp after Mysterio drop kicks Logan on the outside as Logan Paul and "Big" Bronson Reed brawl with Dragon Lee and Penta on the outside. After the match, Bron Breakker goes on the attack, and Logan Paul hits the knockout punch on Dragon Lee so that Breakker can hit Dragon Lee with a Spear. Logan then hits Dragon Lee with the Paul from Grace before Penta also eats a Spear. Bronson Reed then gets Penta in position for a Tsunami and hits it. Breakker then hits Penta with another Spear.

We hear from Natalya, who says that she made Maxxine Dupri, but Maxxine failed her. She states that Maxxine believed that she could roll like a legend because she rolled with a legend. Natalya states that she is a whole new person and that when she is done with Maxxine, she is coming for it all. She says that Natalya elevates, but "Nattie" decimates.

Backstage, Bayley and Lyra Valkyria confront Raquel Rodriguez for yelling for General Manager Adam Pearce as Bayley is on the phone, and that allows Stephanie Vaquer to attack Raquel before Pearce and other officials show up to break the brawl up.

In footage from earlier today, Michael Cole interviews Gunther. Gunther says he has nothing to gain if he beats "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, but now that he can beat him for his career, he has something phenomenal to gain. He says he is sick of all the "old-timers" overstaying their welcome and chasing one moment after another, proclaiming that those moments belong to him, and that he is not interesting in Styles taking away moments that belong to him. He also states that Michael Cole falls into that category as well and asks Cole how long he will stick around to chase another moment, then says he could end his career right now. Instead, he wants Michael Cole to call his match with AJ Styles at Royal Rumble and proclaim that Styles' career is over. Gunther laughs and says it is going to be great and memorable.

Backstage, General Manager Adam Pearce is met by Finn Balor, who declares for the men's Royal Rumble. Pearce says the men's Rumble is full, but Balor still wants in. Pearce does not budge, and Finn says this is not over. Finn then runs into Liv Morgan, who is infuriated by Punk's recent words to Finn. Finn says that this is not straightforward and that he needs to figure this out.

Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barns is seen in the front row.

"Main Event" Jey Uso watches the next match from ringside.

Alpha Academy (Otis and Akira Tozawa) beat American Made (Julius and Brutus Creed), Los Americanos (Rayo Americano and Bravo Americano) and The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) in a Fatal 4-Way tag team match to become #1 contenders for the World Tag Team Championships.

Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Becky Lynch. Becky mocks Jackie's Toronto Maple Leafs jacket and acknowledges that she knows where Natalya is coming from, then declares for the women's Royal Rumble. The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kair Sane) show up, and Kairi Sane says Becky is not ready for Asuka, but Becky says she has beaten Asuka before, and blames The Kabuki Warriors for their WarGames loss. Asuka tells Becky she will see her in the Royal Rumble.

Backstage, Je'Von Evans hopes to see AJ Styles on WWE's upcoming world tour before wishing him luck against Gunther.

Backstage, Stephanie Vaquer meets with General Manager Adam Pearce, stating she wants a fight with Raquel Rodriguez. Pearce gives it to her next week in the form of a Philadelphia Street Fight.

Backstage, The Vision ("The Oracle" Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, "Big" Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, Austin Theory) come up with a plan regarding the men's Royal Rumble match. Logan Paul says they should enter the match with one vision, and that nobody can stop them. He says that one of them must leave as the winner of the Royal Rumble, and states it should be Bron Breakker.

Oba Femi will be in the men's Royal Rumble match.

"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles vs. CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship ends with Finn Balor attacking Punk as he has Styles in the corner. CM Punk retains the World Heavyweight Championship. After the match, Finn Balor drop kicks CM Punk into the barricade, then gets him back into the ring for the Coup de Grace. Finn eventually hits Punk with it three times to end the show.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

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