Raw Deal - Raw recap for January 5, 2026

The show starts with Michael Cole and Corey Graves coming out of a radio station van as part of tonight's Stranger Things collaboration.

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky beat The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) to become the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions!

Backstage, General Manager Adam Pearce congratulates Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky on the championship win, then meets Gunther and reminds him that tonight is a big night and that a little respect goes a long way. Gunther heads to the ring, and after the commercial break, mentions that he has been asked by management to show a little bit of respect as the fans boo him, then asks about respect for him for making John Cena tap out. Before he can finish the sentence with "Like a little bitch," "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles shows up and heads to the ring. Gunther interrupts Styles whenever he tries to speak, telling Styles that he is punching above his weight and proclaiming that he is the greatest wrestler in WWE because he made Cena tap out. He then finishes the sentence with "Like a little bitch" when Styles tries to speak again, then asks Styles what he will do about it before performing the "You can't see me" hand signal. Styles slaps Gunther in the face, making Gunther angry, but when Gunther does not strike back, Styles says "Just like I thought...nothing!" before leaving the ring.

Backstage, Ivy Nile demands a shot at the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship from General Manager Adam Pearce, refusing to go to the back of the line. After Ivy Nile leaves, Gunther demands a match with "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, and Styles confronts Gunther. Gunther leaves before Pearce makes the match official for next week.

Becky Lynch beats Maxxine Dupri to win the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship for the second time after Becky leans back to pin Maxxine's shoulders to the mat as Maxxine has her in an ankle lock while using the ropes for leverage.

We see a vignette for Oba Femi.

During the commercial break on the international Netflix feed, General Manager Adam Pearce hands Je'Von Evans a Raw contract. Je'Von signs it, becoming the newest member of the red brand.

We see a preview of Season 2 of WWE Unreal.

The Usos (Jimmy and "Main Event" Jey Uso) show up in the crowd. Jey thanks "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and Dragon Lee for the fight last week - and last year - and says that this year is theirs and that this is a warning shot. Jimmy declares that The Usos are the best tag team in the game and calls out all potential challengers, then Jey says that they are on Monday Night Raw every week and that everyone knows where to find them.

Jackie Redmond interviews Stephanie Vaquer in the ring. Vaquer is wearing a walking boot on her left leg following last week's World Women's Championship defense. Vaquer is wearing a walking boot on her left leg following last week's World Women's Championship defense. She says that she wants to take on more opponents and prove she is the best. Afterwards, she is suddenly attacked from behind by Raquel Rodriguez. Raquel soon attacks Vaquer's injured left ankle before hitting her with a Tejana Bomb, and referees show up as she grabs a metal folding chair to further attack the ankle. General Manager Adam Pearce stops Raquel from wrapping the chair around Vaquer's left foot, and Raquel leaves the ring.

Backstage, Raquel Rodriguez attacks Stephanie Vaquer again, this time as she is being helped to medical. General Manager Adam Pearce shows up with other officials and ensures that Raquel is removed from the building.

Backstage, Rey Mysterio tells Dragon Lee that he has come a long way and that he will be champion again. Dragon Lee leaves to check on "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, then Penta shows up and says he has been watching what The Vision ("The Oracle" Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, "Big" Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, Austin Theory) has been doing. Rey thanks Penta for having his back, and that Penta understands the history, tradition and respect of lucha libre that The Vision want to destroy. Penta tells Rey that he will continue to have his back.

Elle Duncan of Skyscraper Live is seen in the front row.

Liv Morgan beats Lyra Valkyria after Bayley and Roxanne Perez go at it on the outside and Bayley chases Roxanne to the back with a metal folding chair. It is Liv's first match in over seven months.

Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews CM Punk, who says that everyone would talk about him rather than themselves and that if he is underestimated, he will hit the GTS.

Next week's show will take place live in Dusseldorf, Germany with a special start time of 2 PM Eastern/11 AM Pacific.

CM Punk retains the World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker. During the match, the rest of The Vision ("The Oracle" Paul Heyman, "Big" Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, Austin Theory) gets involved in the match, but they are taken down and chased out through the crowd by Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee and Penta.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

Here's this week's Raw recap!

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!