WWE Raw: Düsseldorf Results & Grades: January 12, 2026

WWE Raw: January 12, 2026 — Full Results & Grades

Je’Von Evans def. Bravo (w/ El Grande Americano and Rayo)

Grade: B

This was a solid main-roster debut for Evans. Nothing flashy, but competent and confident—exactly what you want in a first impression. The bigger concern is the Americano act. It was amusing in the summer of 2025, but it hasn’t aged well. The performers behind it are starting to drift into Three Man Band territory, and only one of those guys made it out alright.

The Judgment Day’s Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez def. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria and The Kabuki Warriors

Morgan & Perez became No. 1 contenders for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships at Saturday Night’s Main Event

Grade: B

Everyone worked hard, and the right team went over. Liv and Rhea orbiting each other again is good for television, but Rhea still feels like she’s missing her edge. A heel turn before WrestleMania is needed.

Finn Balor confronted CM Punk

World Heavyweight Championship match set for Raw: Ireland

Grade: A

This was the right choice for Punk’s next challenger. Bálor still feels like a legitimate main-event player, and Punk clearly wants to work with wrestlers of his caliber at this stage of his career. The backstage setup—transitioning from Finn gaming to stepping up for a world title shot—was smart, modern storytelling. Making us wait until Ireland was the right call. This has real potential to be special.

Maxxine Dupri & Becky Lynch continued their feud

Intercontinental Championship match set for Raw: Ireland
Combined Grade: B-

I was ready to move on from this feud, but we’ll see where it goes.

Raquel Rodriguez interview interrupted by Stephanie Vaquer

Grade: B-

Raquel continues to work hard, but she still doesn’t feel convincing as a world title-level threat—especially given how often she’s been beaten.

Jey Uso accepted a challenge from Otis & Akira Tozawa

Grade: C-

Really? The Usos win the titles back, and this is their first challenge? It felt like a placeholder rather than a meaningful direction for champions.

Penta & Dragon Lee def. The Vision (Bronson Reed & Austin Theory) by DQ

Bron Breakker attacks Adam Pearce and is suspended indefinitely
Grade: A

The match itself was fine, though The Vision getting the “already in the ring” treatment felt odd. I’m also not a fan of another week passing without a true spotlight promo for Theory.

That said, the grade is for the post-match chaos. Bron Breakker and Adam Pearce sold this angle beautifully. The tension felt real, messy, and uncomfortable—in the best way. Pearce spitting into his beard during the confrontation was an all-time gross but effective visual.

Paul Heyman calling out Pearce for touching Breakker first was masterful. Now the question becomes: does Triple H—or another authority figure—step in and overrule Pearce?

Gunther def. AJ Styles

Grade: B+

Technically, Gunther tapped—but the referee didn’t see it. He followed that up with a low blow and a powerbomb to steal the win after a physical, back-and-forth main event in front of a hot German crowd.

Gunther’s heel evolution continues to impress. He’s still a physically dominant threat, but now he’ll cheat, bend the rules, and even tap when pushed. That added complexity gives him flexibility depending on the opponent and the story. This doesn’t feel like the end between these two—especially with Styles heading to TNA this week.

Overall Show Grade: B+

This wasn’t a bad episode of Raw. The Düsseldorf crowd brought the international energy that always elevates these shows for U.S. viewers. It wasn’t as newsworthy as SmackDown: Berlin, but it was far stronger than Raw x Stranger Things.

My biggest issue? With less than three weeks until the Royal Rumble, I don’t feel any more excited for it now than I did when the show started.