WWE Monday Night RAW opened 2026 with a unique cinematic flair, celebrating the one-year anniversary of RAW on Netflix with a Stranger Things theme. The Barclays Center in Brooklyn became an immersive backdrop as fog rolled over the entrance ramp and eerie music set the tone for an evening that seamlessly blended athletic competition with suspenseful storytelling. The night featured four highly anticipated matches, three championship bouts, and several critical storyline developments, including Stephanie Vaquer’s brutal attack by Raquel Rodriguez, a tense confrontation between Gunther and AJ Styles, and the official RAW call-up of NXT’s Je’Von Evans.

Chapter One — “Welcome to the Upside Down”

The opening chapter, “Welcome to the Upside Down,” immediately established the night’s cinematic atmosphere. Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY made their way to the ring to challenge The Kabuki Warriors for the Women’s Tag Team Championship, with fog swirling around the entrance and muted lighting casting long shadows across the ramp. The chapter title flashed on the screen, evoking the sense of stepping into a dark, unpredictable world, much like the mysterious Upside Down itself.

In the ring, Ripley and SKY demonstrated an impressive combination of precision and aggression. They methodically isolated Asuka and Kairi Sane, using tandem strikes and strategic tag sequences to wear down their opponents. SKY’s moonsault to the outside left Asuka disoriented, creating the perfect setup for Ripley’s signature Riptide finisher. When Ripley connected and pinned Asuka, the crowd erupted as the new champions were crowned. This opening chapter not only provided a high-octane match but set a standard for the night: cinematic, tense, and unpredictable, merging the supernatural motifs of Stranger Things with the drama of championship competition.

Chapter Two — “He Who Remains”

Chapter Two, “He Who Remains,” took a more narrative-driven turn as the spotlight shifted to Gunther and AJ Styles. While no match occurred during this chapter, the storytelling was electric. Gunther appeared, exuding dominance and an icy intensity, confronting AJ Styles in a backstage and ringside hybrid segment that combined live-action with cinematic production. The two exchanged tense words and stares, culminating in Styles delivering a sharp slap to Gunther’s face.

The segment carried the weight of a looming showdown and was filmed in a way that mirrored Stranger Things’s suspense, using shadows, dramatic close-ups, and slow pans to emphasize the tension. Gunther’s cold demeanor and calculated menace positioned him as a major threat, while Styles’ reaction conveyed both defiance and unpredictability. This chapter effectively established a high-stakes narrative outside the ring, giving the audience a compelling reason to tune in next week for the European stop in Düsseldorf , Germany.

Chapter Three — “It’s Not Just Her Saying It”

Chapter Three, “It’s Not Just Her Saying It,” brought the action back into the ring with Becky Lynch challenging Maxxine Dupri for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Although this was technically the second match of the night, the chapter graphics appeared over this bout, lending it a heightened sense of drama. Lynch approached with confidence and experience, while Dupri countered with youthful aggression, attacking limbs and isolating her opponent in calculated sequences.

The ebb and flow of the match showcased the storytelling potential of in-ring psychology. Lynch’s resilience shone as she reversed Dupri’s offense into her own counters, building tension until she delivered her signature finisher and reclaimed the Intercontinental Championship. The chapter’s title resonated thematically, emphasizing that Lynch’s triumph was more than just victory — it was a statement of perseverance against persistent threats. The combination of cinematic presentation and technical wrestling elevated the bout, making it a narrative centerpiece of the evening.

Chapter Four — “To Kiss a Devil”

Chapter Four, “To Kiss a Devil,” shifted the focus to Stephanie Vaquer, the WWE Women’s World Champion. The chapter graphics appeared as Vaquer made her entrance, shrouded in fog with muted, ominous lighting that evoked the eerie, menacing feel of the Upside Down. She began a confident promo, asserting her dominance as champion and emphasizing her determination to defend her title.

The narrative tension escalated when Raquel Rodriguez appeared and ruthlessly attacked Vaquer, specifically targeting her already-injured ankle. Rodriguez’s assault intensified both in the ring and backstage, throwing Vaquer into production equipment and leaving the champion vulnerable and visibly compromised. The segment highlighted Vaquer’s resilience, while Rodriguez was firmly established as a formidable challenger. Cinematic camera angles, slow-motion sequences, and shadowed lighting amplified the sense of danger, transforming a non-match segment into one of the night’s most compelling and suspenseful storytelling moments.

Chapter Five — “Hellfires Collide”

The night culminated with Chapter Five, “Hellfires Collide,” featuring CM Punk defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker. The cinematic elements of the chapter — dramatic lighting, chapter title graphics, and slow pan shots of the ring — elevated the main event into a visual spectacle. Breakker’s explosive athleticism challenged Punk’s methodical approach, creating a tense narrative of power versus experience.

Near-falls and high-impact sequences kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Punk ultimately secured the victory with his Go-To-Sleep finisher, retaining the World Heavyweight Championship. The chapter concluded the night’s storytelling with a satisfying narrative arc, blending suspense, athletic drama, and the thematic eeriness of the Stranger Things crossover.

Additional Notes and Next Week

During the broadcast, it was officially confirmed that Je’Von Evans had been called up from NXT to RAW, adding new narrative possibilities to the mid-card. RAW will travel to Düsseldorf, Germany next week, with a special earlier start time. Storylines will continue to develop, including Gunther vs. AJ Styles, fallout from Punk vs. Breakker, the Women’s division arc with RHIYO, Becky Lynch, and Stephanie Vaquer, and the ongoing momentum from Liv Morgan’s triumphant return.

Final Thoughts

WWE Monday Night RAW × Stranger Things delivered a visually compelling, narratively rich, and emotionally charged episode. Each chapter provided a distinct tone and purpose, from the championship glory in “Welcome to the Upside Down” and “It’s Not Just Her Saying It,” to the cinematic tension of “He Who Remains” and “To Kiss a Devil,” culminating in the explosive “Hellfires Collide” main event.

Stephanie Vaquer’s attack, Becky Lynch reclaiming the IC Title, RHIYO winning the tag belts, and Punk surviving Bron Breakker all contributed to a cohesive night of storytelling, where cinematic presentation, thematic atmosphere, and in-ring action worked in harmony to deliver one of RAW’s most memorable specials in recent memory.

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