You are currently viewing WWE Monday Night RAW Jan. 12th, 2026 Results & Recap: Gunther Controversially Defeats AJ Styles, Breakker Suspended, Punk vs. Bálor Set

WWE Monday Night RAW Jan. 12th, 2026 Results & Recap: Gunther Controversially Defeats AJ Styles, Breakker Suspended, Punk vs. Bálor Set

WWE Monday Night RAW’s first European stop of 2026 delivered from the PSD Bank Dome in Düsseldorf, Germany, presenting a loaded night of in-ring action, pivotal storyline developments, and WrestleMania-season momentum. International crowds have historically elevated WWE television, and Düsseldorf was no exception, bringing an electric atmosphere that amplified every beat of the show.

With Gunther and AJ Styles closing the night in a physically grueling and controversial main event, Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez breaking through in the Women’s Tag Team division, and Bron Breakker’s unchecked aggression finally forcing management’s hand, RAW functioned as both a payoff episode and a launchpad for major stories heading deeper into the Royal Rumble season. Meanwhile, World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk used the European stage to decisively shape the championship landscape, reinforcing RAW’s direction as WrestleMania season quietly accelerates.

Here are the full results

  • Je’Von Evans def. Bravo Americano — Evans scores an impressive RAW debut victory.
  • Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez def. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria and The Kabuki Warriors — Triple Threat Tag Team Match; Morgan & Perez become No. 1 Contenders to the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.
  • Penta & Dragon Lee def. Bronson Reed & Austin Theory via disqualification — Match thrown out after outside interference.
  • Gunther def. AJ Styles — Controversial pinfall victory in the main event.

RAW Opens With Momentum as Je’Von Evans Makes a Statement

The night kicked off with a clear emphasis on the future as Je’Von Evans made his official RAW debut against Bravo Americano. WWE wasted no time positioning Evans as a talent to watch, giving him meaningful ring time and allowing him to showcase the athletic explosiveness that has made him one of the most talked-about young prospects in the company.

Evans blended speed, confidence, and creativity, controlling the pace and forcing Americano to constantly react rather than dictate. The crowd quickly gravitated toward Evans’ offense, particularly his fluid transitions and aerial precision. The decisive OG Cutter not only secured the win but symbolized WWE’s intent — this was not a token debut, but the beginning of a long-term investment in Evans as RAW continues refreshing its roster with dynamic new talent.

Women’s Tag Division Takes Center Stage

The Women’s Tag Team division took a significant step forward in a chaotic Triple Threat contest featuring Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez, Bayley & Lyra Valkyria, and The Kabuki Warriors. The match was structured to highlight chemistry, urgency, and division-wide parity, with no team dominating for long stretches.

Morgan and Perez proved to be a particularly compelling pairing, blending Morgan’s experience and emotional intensity with Perez’s crisp execution and poise beyond her years. Bayley and Valkyria provided veteran savvy and power, while the Kabuki Warriors injected unpredictability and striking precision, creating a layered match with constant momentum swings.

The finish came after all three teams collided in a frantic closing stretch, with Morgan and Perez capitalizing on a split-second opening to secure the pinfall. Their victory establishes them as legitimate contenders and signals WWE’s commitment to keeping the Women’s Tag Team Titles relevant through fresh matchups and evolving partnerships.

Chaos Erupts as Bron Breakker Crosses the Line

What began as a competitive tag team bout between Penta & Dragon Lee and Bronson Reed & Austin Theory quickly unraveled into one of the night’s most consequential moments. Bron Breakker, already portrayed as increasingly volatile in recent weeks, stormed the ring and unleashed a barrage of spears that flattened everyone involved, forcing the referee to throw out the match.

The attack felt less like an interruption and more like an eruption — a boiling point reached. Breakker’s intensity has long been framed as an asset, but this moment reframed it as a liability, especially when RAW General Manager Adam Pearce attempted to intervene. Breakker shoving Pearce to the mat marked a definitive crossing of the line, transforming his character from dangerous competitor to uncontrollable threat.

Pearce’s decision to suspend Breakker indefinitely added real stakes to the storyline. Rather than a slap-on-the-wrist punishment, the suspension reinforces RAW’s internal authority structure and leaves Breakker’s future intentionally uncertain — a narrative device that often precedes either escalation or reinvention.

Gunther vs. AJ Styles Ends in Controversy

The main event delivered exactly what was promised: an elite-level clash between Gunther and AJ Styles, two wrestlers defined by precision, discipline, and an uncompromising approach to competition. Styles approached the match strategically, relentlessly targeting Gunther’s leg and repeatedly threatening with submission holds that had the Düsseldorf crowd fully engaged.

As the match wore on, frustration set in for Gunther, who found himself increasingly vulnerable. The pivotal moment came when Styles appeared to force a tap-out — a moment that would have sealed a monumental victory — but the referee’s positioning prevented it from being acknowledged.

What followed defined the finish: Gunther exploited the opening, delivered a low blow out of the referee’s view, and capitalized with decisive offense to secure the pinfall. The controversial ending protected Styles, reinforced Gunther’s ruthless pragmatism, and ensured that this result will be debated — and likely revisited — in the weeks ahead.

CM Punk Sets the Championship Picture in Motion

Earlier in the night, World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk addressed the audience with the confidence of a champion firmly in control of his narrative. Punk’s promo was less about bravado and more about direction, as he made it clear that the championship scene would move forward on his terms.

By naming Finn Bálor as his next challenger and setting their World Heavyweight Championship match for next week’s RAW in Belfast, Ireland, Punk elevated the European tour into must-see television. The announcement also framed the title picture with clarity and urgency, positioning the Punk–Bálor clash as both a marquee match and a potential turning point as WrestleMania season looms.

Final Thoughts

The January 12th, 2026 edition of WWE Monday Night RAW exemplified what WWE aims to deliver during its international runs — high-level wrestling, meaningful consequences, and forward-moving storytelling. Every major segment served a purpose, whether it was introducing new talent, reshaping divisions, or advancing top-tier feuds.

From Gunther’s controversial main-event victory to Bron Breakker’s suspension and CM Punk’s championship declaration, RAW struck a careful balance between payoff and anticipation. With the Royal Rumble on the horizon and WrestleMania season approaching, this episode functioned as a crucial chapter in WWE’s ongoing narrative rather than a standalone stop.

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