LIVE 1 LIVE 2 LIVE 3 LIVE 4 LIVE 5
When the first WWE RAW of 2026 streams live from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, it won’t just be another episode—it will mark the first anniversary of WWE’s groundbreaking move to Netflix, celebrated with a championship-loaded card that could redefine the road to WrestleMania 42.
The stage is set for professional wrestling’s most significant night of 2026. On January 5, WWE RAW doesn’t just return to television—it celebrates a historic one-year anniversary of its Netflix premiere with a loaded championship card that promises seismic shifts in the WWE landscape. In the main event, CM Punk defends the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against the surging powerhouse Bron Breakker, while The Kabuki Warriors put their Women’s Tag Team Titles on the line against the formidable pairing of Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY. This special episode from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center serves as the critical launching point toward the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania season, with more surprises and story developments likely to emerge during this milestone broadcast.
1 The First RAW of a New Era: Netflix Anniversary Celebration
The January 5, 2026, episode of WWE RAW is far more than the first show of a new year—it’s a historic anniversary special. This broadcast marks exactly one year since Monday Night RAW made its groundbreaking move to Netflix, a transition that reshaped how millions of fans worldwide consume weekly wrestling content.
The celebration fittingly takes place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, a major market venue known for hosting pivotal moments in WWE history. This location choice signals WWE’s commitment to making this anniversary episode feel truly special. As the company builds toward the massive spectacle of WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, this Netflix anniversary show serves as the critical first step on that journey, setting the tone and direction for the most important months on the wrestling calendar.
2 Main Event Breakdown: CM Punk vs. Bron Breakker for the World Heavyweight Championship
At the heart of this anniversary celebration is a championship showdown loaded with both personal animosity and championship implications. CM Punk, the self-proclaimed “Voice of the Voiceless,” puts his World Heavyweight Championship on the line against the second-generation wrecking ball, Bron Breakker.
2.1 The Champion’s Quest for Legitimacy
For CM Punk, this defense represents more than just retaining gold. Since winning the championship, Punk has worked to establish himself as the undisputed face of the red brand, using his unparalleled microphone skills to craft compelling narratives around his reign. A victory over the younger, more explosive Breakker would solidify his status as a champion who can overcome any challenge, regardless of style or power differential. However, Punk faces more than just Breakker—he must also contend with Breakker’s allies in The Vision faction, a group that has been running roughshod over the RAW roster and will undoubtedly be present at ringside.
2.2 The Challenger’s Path to Immortality
For Bron Breakker, this match represents the culmination of a rapid ascension through WWE ranks. Having already scored a pinfall victory over Punk at Survivor Series, Breakker carries legitimate psychological momentum into this championship bout. His path has been paved with dominant performances and backed by the strategic mind of Paul Heyman, whose guidance has transformed Breakker from a powerhouse prospect into a legitimate main event threat. A victory would not only crown a new champion but potentially signal a changing of the guard as WWE builds toward its future.
The dynamics of this matchup are fascinating. Punk represents technical mastery and psychological warfare, while Breakker embodies brute force and explosive athleticism. Their contrasting styles promise a match that will tell a compelling story in the ring, with Punk likely attempting to survive Breakker’s early onslaught before implementing a more calculated, technical approach to ground his powerful opponent.
3 Women’s Tag Team Championship: Kabuki Warriors vs. The Unlikely Alliance
While the World Heavyweight Championship match will undoubtedly capture headlines, the Women’s Tag Team Title bout carries its own compelling narrative that intersects with one of RAW’s most intriguing storylines.
3.1 Champions with Chemistry
The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) represent one of the most cohesive and decorated tag teams in women’s division history. Their partnership blends Asuka’s hard-hitting, technical mastery with Sane’s high-flying, unpredictable offense. Since recapturing the titles last month from Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, they’ve reestablished their dominance in the division. Their chemistry is undeniable, forged through years of partnership both in WWE and internationally. However, their recent actions—including a brutal attack on their challengers during the December 15 episode of RAW—reveal a more vicious, desperate side to their championship reign.
3.2 Challengers with Something to Prove
Standing across the ring will be one of the most unlikely yet formidable pairings in recent memory: Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY. This partnership was born from the ashes of Damage CTRL’s dissolution, which saw Asuka and Kairi Sane turn on IYO SKY. The alliance with Ripley represents a fresh start for SKY and an opportunity for Ripley to add tag team gold to her already impressive resume.
What makes this matchup particularly compelling is the contrast in team dynamics. The Kabuki Warriors operate with seamless synchronization, while Ripley and SKY represent a partnership of necessity with raw, individual talent that could either clash spectacularly or combine to create something unexpectedly effective. This match continues the ongoing narrative of Damage CTRL’s breakup while testing whether two dominant singles competitors can coalesce into championship-caliber tag team partners.
4 Other Potential Developments & Storylines
While two championship matches provide a strong foundation, the three-hour anniversary special will undoubtedly feature additional segments and matches that advance ongoing narratives. Based on recent episodes and WWE’s historical approach to anniversary shows, several developments seem probable:
4.1 The Vision’s Expanding Influence
The Vision faction—comprising Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, and their mysterious associate—has established itself as RAW’s dominant heel faction. With Breakker competing for the world title, the group will likely play a significant role throughout the evening. Of particular interest is the identity of the masked mystery man who was revealed to be Austin Theory on the December 15 episode. Theory’s return after months away due to injury, and his apparent alignment with The Vision through Paul Heyman’s guidance, creates intriguing possibilities for the faction’s expansion. With Heyman’s strategic mind guiding these talented but previously underutilized stars, The Vision could realistically position all its members for championship opportunities in 2026.
4.2 Gunther’s New Chapter
Gunther finds himself at a career crossroads following his retirement match victory over John Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event. The manner of that victory—making Cena tap out—has earned Gunther unprecedented levels of “heat” from the WWE Universe, transforming him into perhaps the company’s most despised villain. With Cena’s career concluded, Gunther has begun positioning himself as a “legend killer,” having already retired Goldberg before Cena. On the January 5 RAW, he may continue this narrative by targeting another veteran, possibly AJ Styles, who has indicated that 2026 will be his final year of competition.
4.3 Tag Team Division Developments
The December 15 RAW featured the return of The Usos against familiar foes The New Day, marking their 45th encounter according to WWE statistics. With the brothers seemingly reunited, questions remain about their long-term direction. Will they pursue tag team championship opportunities as they approach the Royal Rumble, or is this reunion merely a precursor to another sibling showdown at WrestleMania 42? Their first match at WrestleMania 40 didn’t meet expectations, potentially motivating them to craft a more memorable encounter if they clash again on the grandest stage.
5 Where to Watch and What’s at Stake
For fans eager to witness this historic episode, WWE RAW on January 5, 2026, will stream live exclusively on Netflix at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT. This continues the distribution model that began exactly one year prior, with Netflix serving as the exclusive streaming home for Monday Night RAW.
Beyond the immediate championship implications, this episode carries significant stakes for the broader WWE landscape:
- Royal Rumble Momentum: With the Royal Rumble scheduled for January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, strong performances on January 5 could position superstars favorably for the annual battle royal that guarantees a WrestleMania main event.
- Faction Warfare: The continued rise of The Vision faction may force other superstars to form alliances, potentially reshaping the entire RAW roster dynamic heading into WrestleMania season.
- Women’s Division Evolution: The outcome of the Women’s Tag Team Championship match could either reestablish The Kabuki Warriors’ dominance or propel Ripley and SKY as a new force in the division, with ripple effects throughout both RAW and SmackDown rosters.
- Netflix’s Wrestling Showcase: As the one-year anniversary of RAW on Netflix, this episode represents an opportunity for WWE to demonstrate the value of its streaming partnership with compelling, must-watch content that could attract new subscribers to the platform.
Table: Confirmed Matches for WWE RAW January 5, 2026
| Match | Championship | Participants | Stakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Event | WWE World Heavyweight Championship | CM Punk (c) vs. Bron Breakker | Punk’s championship reign vs. Breakker’s main event validation |
| Co-Main Event | WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship | Kabuki Warriors (c) vs. Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY | Team chemistry vs. powerhouse alliance; continuation of Damage CTRL fallout |
The Road Forward
As the WWE Universe prepares for this milestone episode, anticipation builds not just for the announced matches but for the unexpected moments that define memorable broadcasts. The first RAW of 2026 serves as both a celebration of WWE’s streaming evolution and a launching pad toward WrestleMania 42. With championship gold on the line, factions vying for dominance, and the legacy of legends in transition, January 5 promises to be a night that shapes the wrestling landscape for the entire year ahead.
For comprehensive coverage of this event and all things WWE, including live results and expert analysis, be sure to visit watchwrestling.sbs, your premier destination for wrestling content and updates.