WWE Raw Results (2/23/26): AJ Styles Returns to Raw

Monday marks the end of an era as AJ Styles returns to WWE Raw for what could be the final time. All eyes will be on the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, just a stone’s throw away from Gainesville, where Styles was raised. Styles’ family and friends will be in the building as WWE gives the legend a sendoff fitting of his status in wrestling’s history. Make no mistake, Styles had such an impact on what wrestling looks like today, especially in WWE. He achieved his accolades outside of the company, becoming one of the first mainstream stars since the advent of NXT to bypass the promotion for the main roster. Styles broke the mold of what indie wrestling in WWE looked like, and he paved the way for a lot of today’s wrestlers to find the success they have. Tonight, he’ll be honored and recognized for all of that during a show that is largely being billed as an AJ Styles Tribute Show.

But…Raw is, of course, also a wrestling show, and since there is no indication Styles intends to unhang his boots, the card will be filled with other matches, including two final WWE Elimination Chamber qualifiers to fill the last remaining spot in both the men’s and women’s matches. You can read more about what we might expect from those contests here.

Brock Lesnar has also been advertised for tonight, as is Liv Morgan, who will make her decision on her WrestleMania 42 opponent. And then there is Finn Balor, CM Punk, Becky Lynch, and AJ Lee, all four of whom will likely be on hand tonight to offer one last chapter in their WWE Elimination Chamber sagas.

WWE Raw Match Card Tonight (2/23/26):

• AJ Styles to appear for special tribute
• Brock Lesnar to appear
• Liv Morgan makes her WrestleMania 42 decision
• Elimination Chamber final qualifier: Raquel Rodriguez vs Iyo Sky vs Kairi Sane
• Elimination Chamber final qualifier: El Grande Americano vs Jey Uso vs Bronson Reed

WWE Raw Results (2/23/26)

Gunther and Cody Rhodes Arrive for AJ Styles Tribute

What would an AJ Styles tribute night be without the man who ended his career? Instead of Raw opening with Styles, it opened with Gunther, who insulted the fans for being there to celebrate his career. He finds it disgraceful, calling Styles a loser. But he understands because the fans like losers. Bill Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles. Gunther says they all have something in common. He killed their careers. Gunther says he should be the one being celebrated tonight before Adam Pearce arrives to shut things down. He’s furious as he tells Gunther he’s not allowed to be here tonight. Pearce promises they will celebrate Styles, so he tells Gunther to leave as security arrives to escort him out. Gunther says he’ll leave, but not because he is being told to. He’s leaving of his own free will because he’s disgraced about what is going to happen tonight. Gunther mocks the security as he walks to the back, and Michael Cole reminds us that in this very building last summer, Gunther’s run as career killer began. As Gunther mocks the fans, Dragon Lee once again attacks him at the top of the ramp. Pearce escorts Gunther all the way out of the building, but Lee chases, and they brawl into the garage. Pearce sends Lee away as Cody Rhodes shows up. He doesn’t say a word as he looks at Gunther and taps Pearce on the shoulder. Friday nights have come to Raw…

Rhodes takes in what is also his hometown crowd, soaking in the cheers. Rhodes says he knows what everyone wants to talk about tonight, it’s AJ Styles, the phenomenal, one-and-only. Rhodes acknowledges Styles is wrestling royalty, but before he can say more, the Vision arrives. Paul Heyman tries to talk, but he’s booed, so Austin Theory, another of Georgia’s sons, takes up for him, saying they shouldn’t disrespect his Wiseman or the Vision. Theory admits he’s ashamed to be from Atlanta, and he hates this place. But no worries because Rhodes isn’t ashamed to be from Atlanta. Just like these people, he’s got zero common sense. Theory says Rhodes has no business showing up on Raw. Logan Paul echoes that idea, saying when Bronson Reed wins at Elimination Chamber, the Vision is taking over SmackDown, and Rhodes is the first one out the door. Paul says God bless the fans for being in their presence tonight to see Reed win his qualifying match, which apparently starts right now. Rhodes says he’s pretty sure there is someone who disagrees with that, and out comes Jimmy and Jey Uso, the latter of whom is competing in the match, which in fact does start now.

WWE Raw Results Match #1: Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier – Bronson Reed vs Jey Uso vs El Grande Americano

We come back from the commercial for El Grande Americano’s entrance, and we’re underway. Uso and Americano team up to go after Reed, but he powers through them both with a double clothesline. Reed tosses Uso into Americano and splashes Americano as Uso gets out of the way. Uso takes advantage and sends Reed to the outside, but can’t follow up with the dive as Reed stops him in his tracks. The two fight to the outside as Americano gets to the top and hits a massive moonsault to take out his opponents. Reed and Americano brawl on the outside, which ends with Reed being sent into the ringpost, and another tag team effort from Americano and Uso for a second shove into the post. That takes us to another break in the action.

Back from the commercial, and it’s all Uso and Americano in the ring. Uso gets to the top and takes down Americano with some Yeet slaps before Reed gets back in the ring and shoulders Uso first and then Americano. He carries the two to the middle and drops them before going after Uso. Reed hits an elbow on Uso for a nearfall before trapping him in the ropes and continuing to use his strength. He sends Americano flying before locking Uso in a headlock of sorts. Uso gets to his feet and manages to fight Reed off briefly, but Reed catches him coming off the ropes and hits the World’s Strongest Slam. Americano is back in the ring with a headbutt to Reed and nearfall on Uso as Reed tosses him on the tag champ. Americano hits a suplex on Uso before climbing to the top tor a headbutt that just misses Uso on the other side of the ring. He manages to get Reed up for a huge suplex and nearfall. Another commercial.

Americano is down on the outside as we get back, and Reed seems to be having an arm issue as commentary takes us back to something that happened over the break. Uso takes out Americano with a dive. Americano is back in the ring, and Uso climbs to the to,p but Americano stops him. He follows him to the top, but Uso manages to headbutt him off. Uso with the higher ground hits a huge splash on American,o but he catches him and almost gets the pin. Americano with the Ankle Lock in the center of the ring, but he manages to fight out and follows up with a superkick. Liger kick from Americano and spear by Uso. Another splash for Uso, and this one is a wrap. Reed didn’t factor into the finish as it seems he suffered a legitimate injury. More to follow on that.

Winner: Jey Uso

We get our first video package for Styles, this one focused on his Royal Rumble debut 10 years ago. Shinsuke Nakamura is seen backstage with Bobby Roode before Tyler Reddick and CM Punk are seen arriving in the car that just won the Daytona 500.

Liv Morgan Chooses Her Opponent

And here comes the woman of the hour, Liv Morgan, who has a decision to make. But first, a commercial break. Back from commercial, and they replay Liv Morgan’s confrontation with Stephanie Vaquer, where Vaquer talked down to her in Spanish. Dominik Mysterio hypes himself up before turning his attention to Morgan. He is here to introduce her before she makes her WrestleMania decision. Mysterio invites Vaquer and Cargill to the ring. Morgan cowers behind Mysterio a bit as Vaquer makes her way out first. Morgan plays with Mysterio’s hair as Cargill makes her way out. Morgan takes the mic and says she knows they have been patiently waiting, but she is ready now. She wants to get something off her chest first. Morgan says Vaquer’s words caught her by surprise. She’s not used to getting vulnerable like that, but Vaquer was right. She didn’t realize how selfish or privileged she really was in WWE all this time. She didn’t know much about Vaquer’s story, and all it took for her to get to WWE. Now that she knows, she wants to say she’s sorry for judging her. It’s clear that she’s a great champion, but now she needs to focus on her story. That being said…Morgan turns to Cargill before clocking Vaquer with the mic. She’s made her decision. Morgan pounces on Vaquer, who tries to fight back. Morgan picks up the title and then hits Oblivion as Mysterio hands her the belt. Morgan holds the title high.

Byron Saxton is backstage with Je’Von Evans, but before he can say anything, he meets up with Offset, who is giving us the theme for Elimination Chamber, in the back. Then New Day shows up as Xavier Woods points out he’s Atlanta’s favorite son and tonight’s tribute show should be for him. Evans says he can throw hands, but Woods points out he’s injured. Kofi Kingston tells Evans to lace ’em up as they are fighting tonight.

Maxxine Dupri is out next for her rematch with Nattie. The match is up next after the break. Another highlight from Styles’career, this time from 2017 on SmackDown, when Styles won the WWE Championship. We then see the MFT backstage with Michin and the Good Brothers. It’s a Bullet Club reunion.

WWE Raw Results Match #2: Nattie vs Maxxine Dupri

Nattie is already in the ring, and she goes right after Dupri. The two brawl to the outside as Dupri sends Nattie to the timekeeper’s area before taking her out with a crossbody. She throws her into the barricade, but Nattie fights her off, sending Dupri face-first into the ring post. Nattie beats up on a defenseless Dupri before medical comes out to check on her. The ref rings the bell, and this one is over in favor of referee stoppage. Dupri is still down as we head backstage to the clubhouse.

Rodriguez promises to win tonight as things shift to Finn Balor with JD McDonagh. McDonagh says Balor is like a brother to him, and he just wants what’s best for him. Balor says brothers fight, but they always make up. He will become champ, but he wants to do it alone. Mysterio comes out and says they left him hanging, and that’s why he lost. Mysterio says Balor may want to do this on his own, but he doesn’t. Balor apologizes and says he’s been focused on the biggest match of his career. He held his own when McDonagh and Mysterio were injured, and he thinks Mysterio needs to do the same and grow up.

Back from break, and we get another vignette for the free agent Oba Femi. Pearce is backstage with the crate, asking why it’s here. Pearce asks for the crate to be sent to Chicago, where he and Nick Aldis will open it together. Rusev says he has business, and that’s when Femi shows up. He tells Rusev to shut him up, but Pearce breaks it up, saying tonight is for Styles. He tells the two to table it and sends Rusev off.

Brock Means Business

Out walks Brock Lesnar, accompanied by Heyman. He starts his usual schtick, saying he’s an Oracle and a Wiseman, but most of all, he’s the advocate for the Beast. Heyman says traditionally, WrestleMania had two main events: the title match and the Undertaker’s streak. Heyman reminds us that his client conquered that streak at WrestleMania, and now the only dead man walking in WWE is whoever comes out next to face Lesnar. Fans chant for Femi. Heyman says he doesn’t have a prediction or a spoiler because when they walked through the locker room, no one stepped up for a butt-kicking against Lesnar. Heyman shows Lesnar’s schedule on the Road to WrestleMania and says if at any time anyone is willing to take a beating from him, he’ll be there. All they have to do is get in Lesnar’s face. Heyman doesn’t think anyone is going to answer Lesnar’s WrestleMania open challenge because the real main event is whoever is going to be conquered by Lesnar. There is no one in the back with the balls to face him.

Becky Lynch is in a pre-recorded promo to hype up her EC match with AJ Lee. She says they can’t compare resumes because Lynch has done more for the business than Lee ever did. All she did was hold a butterfly belt. She doesn’t deserve to hold the belt, but Lynch deserves to retire Lee in her hometown. On Saturday, she proves she is the greatest female wrestler of all-time when Lee becomes the least talented AJ to retire this year.

WWE Raw Results Match #3: Je’Von Evans vs Kofi Kingston

Evans and Kingston lock up, with Kingston using his veteran savvy to his advantage. The two pull apart and then lock up again. Kingston gets the edge again, but Evans manages a quick cover in response. Grayson Waller creates the distraction as Kingston runs away down the ramp, so Evans can’t complete his dive. As Waller distracts again, Kingston returns, but Evans lands a massive knee, sending Kingston to the mat. Kingston extends his hand, but Evans doesn’t bite. Kingston sends Evans to the outside, where he’s met with Woods and Walle,r before Kingston lands a kick off the apron. Offset comes out to help Evans as we go to break.

Back from the commercial, and Kingston is in control in the ring. Evans fights back, catching Kingston with kicks before landing the tornado splash kick for a nearfall. Evans goes for the flip off the top, but he missed and Kingston takes advantage, landing the SOS for a nearfall. Evans catches Kingston with a roll-up for a nearfall before sending Kingston to the outside and hitting a huge suicide dive. Waller cheapshots Evans before rolling him back in the ring, allowing Kingston to hit a leg drop for a nearfall. Waller and Offset get into it on the outside before Offset sends Waller flying over the announce table. Offset distracts Kingston, setting Evans up for the OG Cutter and the win.

Winner: Je’Von Evans

Styles is celebrated with clips from his career all across wrestling and words from some of his closest colleagues. Frankie Kazarian is seen arriving, where he meets up with Abyss.

A pre-recorded video from Finn Balor, who says he needs to prove to everyone he can be a champion. It’s been 10 years, and he learned a lot from his defeat in Belfast. He learned to stop asking what if and start telling himself when.

CM Punk Has Something to Say to Finn Balor, Roman Reigns

Punk opens by saying tonight isn’t about him. He’s here to celebrate Styles, so he tells fans to chant his name instead. They do. Punk says he’s got a big day next week in front of his people, so he wants to leave Styles time to address his people tonight. Punk asks what if it was the last time he got to do his schtick. Punk says what if Balor didn’t jump him in Toronto and ruin the last time he shared a ring with Styles. Punk says the answer is simple: he wouldn’t be getting a title shot. Punk says it’s risky being a fighting champion, but he’s doing the best he can by following in the footsteps of the greats, guys like Terry Funk, Harley Race, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, the Undertaker, Bret Hart…He doesn’t like dealing with what-ifs. Here’s an example. What if Roman Reigns were there tonight? Punk says what-ifs aren’t rooted in reality because Reigns isn’t here. Meanwhile, Punk is. He does every city and every tour in every country. But what if he loses? Punk says no risk, no reward. The reality is, Reigns will be there next week in Indy. What if he doesn’t wait until WrestleMania and he punches Reigns next week? Punk says he deals in facts. He’ll let Balor and Reigns ask the what-ifs. He doesn’t have to say what if he were the champion because he is. He’s the best in the world and doesn’t have to ask him what if he was the main event of WrestleMania because he is. He is the champ, and his name is CM Punk. Mic drop.

WWE Raw Results Match #4: Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier – Raquel Rodriguez vs Kairi Sane vs Iyo Sky

Back from commercial, and all three women are in the ring. Iyo Sky goes right after Raquel Rodriguez, as does Kairi San,e but Rodriguez takes both down with her power. She sends Sky into the corner before dropping Sane. She charges both to no avail as the former friends team up against her and send her to the outside. Sane cheapshots Sky for a nearfall. Sky gets a nearfall of her own, followed by a back body drop. Sky picks Sane up by the waist, but Rodriguez is back in the ring. She powers up both women and drops them with a double fallaway slam.  She sends Sane to the outside and focuses on Sky. But Sane pulls the ropes down. Rodriguez picks Sane out of the ai,r and Sky takes them both out with a flip off the ropes.

Sane and Rodriguez are down on the outside as we come back from break. Sane gets back to the ring, but Sky takes her out and then takes out Rodriguez, who was attempting to get back in the ring. Sky with a missile dropkick off the top as she hypes up the crowd. Rodriguez is back in the ring, though, and intercepts the Bullet Train. She takes out Sane for a nearfall. Sky and Sane work together to send Rodriguez into the post before Sky takes her out on the floor, and Sane comes from the top rope to take out both. Sky sends Rodriguez over the timekeeper’s area before Sane takes her out with a back-first. She climbs to the top looking for the Insane Elbow, but Sky moves. Sane lands a backslide for a nearfall before Sky hits a knee to the spine on Sane. Sky to the top and she lands the Over the Moonsault, but Rodriguez grabs Sane’s leg and pulls her to the outside. She takes her down with a clothesline before turning back to Sky. Sky sends Rodriguez to the corner and climbs to the top for a dropkick and Bullet Train. Sky goes for the moonsault again, but Rodriguez tries to counter. Sky hits a DDT, but can’t take advantage as Sane knocks her off the top rope and hits the elbow. Rodriguez gets the knees up and hits the Tejana Bomb for the victory.

Winner: Raquel Rodriguez

AJ Styles’ Final Bow

The bell tolls and the lights go out. The American Bada-- makes his way down the ramp and into the ring. He stares at Styles’ gloves and vest and asks if he’s just gonna leave his stuff there and leave. Undertaker says they have unfinished business. He says there is a phrase if you see me coming, you’re already gone. He’s changed it a bit because now it’s if you see me coming, that means you’re going. Undertaker says it is his esteemed honor to inform him that he’s the newest inductee in the 2026 Class of the WWE Hall of Fame. Styles’ family enters the ring as fans chant, “You deserve it.” His music hits as a graphic appears on the back for his HOF induction.