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The roar of 40,000 German wrestling fans will shake the PSD Bank Dome as WWE’s global tour brings its signature brand of chaos and athleticism to European soil for a historic television taping on the Road to Royal Rumble.
The first WWE Raw of 2026 won’t be broadcast from the familiar confines of an American arena, but from the electric atmosphere of the PSD Bank Dome in Düsseldorf, Germany. As part of WWE’s extensive “Road to Royal Rumble” European tour, this January 12th episode represents a significant milestone—the red brand’s continued global expansion under its Netflix partnership. For European fans, it’s a rare opportunity to witness the spectacle of a live television broadcast, where anything can happen and championship landscapes can shift in an instant.
This special international episode comes sandwiched between major events, following the loaded anniversary show on January 5th and preceding the massive Royal Rumble in Riyadh on January 31st. The energy in Düsseldorf will be palpable, with storylines accelerating toward the year’s first premium live event.
1. Event Essentials: When and Where to Watch
- Date and Time: Monday, January 12, 2026. The event is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM local time at the PSD Bank Dome. For international viewers, this corresponds to different broadcast times depending on your time zone.
- Location: PSD Bank Dome, Düsseldorf, Germany. As a premier indoor arena with a capacity of approximately 40,000 for wrestling events, it will provide an incredible backdrop for this international Raw.
- Broadcast Details: The event will air live on Netflix as part of WWE’s exclusive streaming partnership. This episode marks WWE Raw’s continued global presence on the platform into its second year. For the most reliable streaming experience with minimal lag during this must-see international episode, many fans visit watchwrestling.sbs.
2. The Road to Royal Rumble European Tour
The January 12th Raw in Düsseldorf isn’t an isolated event—it’s part of WWE’s ambitious 11-date European tour throughout January 2026. This “Road to Royal Rumble” tour showcases WWE’s commitment to its international fanbase and represents one of their most extensive European swings in recent memory.
Tour Dates and Locations:
- January 8, 2026: Leipzig, Germany (Road to Royal Rumble live event)
- January 9, 2026: Berlin, Germany (Friday Night SmackDown)
- January 10, 2026: Glasgow, Scotland (Road to Royal Rumble live event)
- January 11, 2026: Copenhagen, Denmark (Road to Royal Rumble live event)
- January 12, 2026: Düsseldorf, Germany (Monday Night Raw)
- January 13, 2026: Mannheim, Germany (Road to Royal Rumble live event)
- January 15, 2026: Newcastle, England (Road to Royal Rumble live event)
- January 16, 2026: London, England (Friday Night SmackDown)
- January 17, 2026: Gdańsk, Poland (Road to Royal Rumble live event)
- January 18, 2026: Nottingham, England (Road to Royal Rumble live event)
- January 19, 2026: Belfast, Northern Ireland (Monday Night Raw)
- January 20, 2026: Brussels, Belgium (Road to Royal Rumble live event)
This extensive tour culminates with the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 31, 2026, making every television taping and live event crucial for building momentum toward the year’s first major premium live event.
3. Match Card Predictions and Storyline Context
While the official match card for the Düsseldorf Raw hasn’t been announced, we can make educated predictions based on WWE’s current trajectory and the matches already scheduled for the January 5th anniversary show.
Confirmed and Likely Matches:
- World Heavyweight Championship: The marquee match scheduled for the January 5th Raw pits CM Punk (c) against Bron Breakker. The outcome of this match will directly impact what we see in Düsseldorf one week later. If Punk retains, will Breakker invoke a rematch clause? If Breakker captures the gold, how will Punk respond on international soil?
- Women’s Tag Team Championship: The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) are scheduled to defend against the unlikely duo of Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky on January 5th. This explosive matchup could easily extend to the European tour, potentially with different challengers emerging from the stacked women’s division.
- Intercontinental Championship: A potential clash between Jey Uso (c) and Dominik Mysterio has been rumored, pitting the popular “YEETmaster” against the slimy antics of “Dirty Dom”. This matchup would showcase technical prowess against underhanded tactics, with potential interference from various factions.
- Cross-Brand Clash: Speculation suggests we might see The Wyatt Sicks vs. The Bloodline (or similar faction warfare) as WWE continues to blur brand lines in the Road to Royal Rumble season. Such a match would be particularly explosive on international television.
Storylines to Watch:
The Düsseldorf Raw will continue several major narratives as WWE builds toward the Royal Rumble:
- The Vision’s Dominance: Bron Breakker’s faction, including Bronson Reed and Logan Paul, has been running roughshod over the Raw roster. Whether Breakker emerges as champion or not, this group’s actions will shape the night.
- Judgment Day’s Influence: With Liv Morgan back and targeting champion Stephanie Vaquer, and Dominik Mysterio potentially in title contention, the Judgment Day’s presence will be felt throughout the show.
- Mystery Unmasked: There has been speculation about a masked mystery man associated with The Vision faction. Could Düsseldorf provide the dramatic reveal of this enigmatic figure’s identity?
4. Potential Surprises and Special Appearances
International television tapings often feature unexpected moments, and the Düsseldorf Raw could deliver several surprises:
- Shocking Returns: Speculation is rampant about Chris Jericho potentially returning to WWE in early 2026 as his AEW contract concludes. While some predict he might appear at the Royal Rumble itself, a surprise return in Germany would create an unforgettable moment for the international audience.
- Celebrity Involvement: With WWE’s increased global profile on Netflix, celebrity appearances have become more common. The German market might attract special guests from European entertainment or sports spheres.
- Royal Rumble Qualifiers: The January 12th episode will air just 19 days before the Royal Rumble in Riyadh. Expect several qualifying matches for both the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches, with European talents potentially receiving spotlight opportunities.
- Title Changes on Foreign Soil: WWE has occasionally used international events for dramatic title changes to create memorable moments for global audiences. With two championships already defended the previous week, the Düsseldorf show could feature another title on the line with an unexpected outcome.
5. The German Wrestling Audience Experience
German wrestling fans are renowned for their passionate, knowledgeable, and vocal support—creating one of the best atmospheres in global sports entertainment. The PSD Bank Dome crowd will bring unique energy that often elevates the in-ring action and influences television production decisions.
Historically, WWE’s German events feature:
- Chant Innovation: German crowds often create football-style chants tailored to wrestling, adding a unique auditory dimension to the broadcast.
- Respect for Technical Wrestling: The German audience particularly appreciates technical mastery and in-ring storytelling, which could influence match pacing and style selections for the evening.
- Historical Significance: This marks one of the rare occasions where Raw is broadcast live from Germany for a global audience, making it a historic night for European wrestling fans.
6. How to Watch WWE Raw from Germany
For those attending the event live, tickets are available through Eventim, with the “Superstar Experience” offering premium access, though specific superstar appearances for this event haven’t been announced yet.
For viewers watching from home around the world:
- Netflix Subscription: As the exclusive home of WWE Raw since January 2025, a Netflix subscription is required to watch the event live.
- Time Zone Considerations: The 7:30 PM Central European Time start means:
- 1:30 PM Eastern Time (USA)
- 10:30 AM Pacific Time (USA)
- 6:30 PM GMT (UK)
- Streaming Quality: For the optimal viewing experience with reliable streams and minimal interruption during this international broadcast, many dedicated wrestling fans use watchwrestling.sbs as their go-to platform.
7. Why This International Raw Matters
The January 12th Raw in Düsseldorf represents more than just another episode—it symbolizes WWE’s globalized future. As the company celebrates its first full year on Netflix, taking its flagship program to major European markets demonstrates a commitment to worldwide accessibility.
Strategically positioned between the Netflix anniversary show and the Royal Rumble, this episode will likely feature significant storyline developments that set the stage for the road to WrestleMania. For European fans, it’s validation that they’re not just an afterthought but a crucial part of WWE’s expanding global narrative.
The 2026 Royal Rumble will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on January 31st, culminating this intense month of WWE programming.
For those looking to enhance their wrestling knowledge, several authoritative sources provide excellent background: the official WWE.com events page for tour information, ProWrestling.net for insightful editorial commentary and live reviews, WrestleTalk.com for predictions and analysis, Sportskeeda.com for comprehensive match card speculation, and PostWrestling.com for tour announcements and industry context. Each offers unique perspectives that deepen appreciation for events like the Düsseldorf Raw.
As the WWE superstars prepare to bring their brand of sports entertainment to German soil, one thing is certain: the PSD Bank Dome will witness a night of athleticism, drama, and surprises that only the global phenomenon of Monday Night Raw can deliver. Whether you’re in the arena or streaming from watchwrestling.sbs, January 12, 2026, promises to be a landmark episode in WWE’s international expansion.
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