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After a massive first Smackdown of 2026, Monday Night Raw's 2026 debut is set for tonight, and you could see some Stranger Things on the program.
The highlight of tonight's match is a showdown for the WWE Championship, featuring CM Punk and the biggest rising star in the sport, Bron Breakker. But there are many questions about tonight's show. What surprises are in store?
We will take you through the opening match until we go off the air tonight.
Here's everything you need to know about Monday Night Raw.
Monday Night Raw airs every Monday.
Monday Night Raw will air live at 8 p.m.
Monday Night Raw streams exclusively on Netflix.
Monday Night Raw will air live tonight from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Tonight's show will feature two of the hottest programs on Netflix when Stranger Things visits Monday Night Raw. The show could feature cameos, and fans are encouraged to wear Stranger Things gear.
"That’s right, after Stranger Things comes to an epic conclusion with The Finale on Dec. 31, the road to WrestleMania takes a detour into Hawkins on Jan. 5 for a Stranger Things–themed episode of Raw, making its 2026 premiere," Netflix wrote on its website.
There will be more matches set for tonight's show, which usually runs about two and a half hours. But here's our predictions for what's listed.
How great has Becky Lynch been? She built a huge star out of Lyra Valkyria, made AJ Lee look like a star in her match with her, and then she's brought out the best of Maxxine Dupri, who has made a fine IC champion. I think she retains here too, possibly with some interference. Lynch shouldn't be competing for the IC title, she's one of the biggest women's stars in the world. I would love to see her lose here, and then win the Royal Rumble to get her back in the title picture. Prediction: Maxxine Dupri wins.
This doesn't end here, which is why I don't see a title change. I think Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky will win, but they won't keep the titles. This could set up a great fourway match, possibly at Saturday Night's Main Event, with these two teams, as well as Nia Jax and Lash Legend, as well as Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss. It's crazy that WWE can have these eight great talents tied up in the tag team picture. They have certainly elevated those titles, which have been pretty important for some time. Prediction: Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky by disqualification.
I read somewhere that people think CM Punk is done. He's the biggest thing on TV right now. I'm not sure how he could be done, his matches are still very good, and nobody is better on the microphone. OK, Roman Reigns is better, but it's close! I'm a massive CM Punk fan and I always want him at or near the top. But he's not fighting a normal guy. Bron Breakker is a star in the making. Never mind, he's a star now. He's so much fun to watch, he's as good as his Uncle Big Bad Booty Daddy on the microphone, and he's going to be the top guy in WWE for years to come. That starts tonight. Breakker won't hold it through WrestleMania, perhaps he loses it to CM Punk in Chicago next month in the Elimination Chamber, but Bron Breakker leaves New York with the gold. Prediction: Bron Breakker beats CM Punk.
I don't think so. There is rumors that the former ECW, WCW, AEW and WWE star will return to his former promotion tonight during Monday Night Raw. And I still think that's a distinct possibility. But with the Royal Rumble coming back, and Chris Jericho already pulling off shocking debuts during that match, I think he does it again this year if he returns to WWE. But if you watched Smackdown, you saw a title change, Matt Cardona return to WWE and some other surprises. It's hard to believe WWE won't make it's first 2026 live show on Netflix one to remember, especially with increased eyes on the product from the Stranger Things crossover. I predict no Jericho, but I do see some fun surprises popping up.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: WWE Raw January 5, 2026. WWE lineup for tonight
Continue reading...
The highlight of tonight's match is a showdown for the WWE Championship, featuring CM Punk and the biggest rising star in the sport, Bron Breakker. But there are many questions about tonight's show. What surprises are in store?
We will take you through the opening match until we go off the air tonight.
Here's everything you need to know about Monday Night Raw.
When is Monday Night Raw?
Monday Night Raw airs every Monday.
What time does Monday Night Raw start?
Monday Night Raw will air live at 8 p.m.
What channel is Monday Night Raw on?
Monday Night Raw streams exclusively on Netflix.
Monday Night Raw location tonight
Monday Night Raw will air live tonight from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Monday Night Raw card
- Bron Breakker vs. CM Punk for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
- Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs. the Kabuki Warriors for the Women’s Tag Team Championship
- Becky Lynch vs. Maxxine Dupri for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship
Raw x Stranger Things
Tonight's show will feature two of the hottest programs on Netflix when Stranger Things visits Monday Night Raw. The show could feature cameos, and fans are encouraged to wear Stranger Things gear.
"That’s right, after Stranger Things comes to an epic conclusion with The Finale on Dec. 31, the road to WrestleMania takes a detour into Hawkins on Jan. 5 for a Stranger Things–themed episode of Raw, making its 2026 premiere," Netflix wrote on its website.
Monday Night Raw predictions
There will be more matches set for tonight's show, which usually runs about two and a half hours. But here's our predictions for what's listed.
Becky Lynch vs. Maxxine Dupri
How great has Becky Lynch been? She built a huge star out of Lyra Valkyria, made AJ Lee look like a star in her match with her, and then she's brought out the best of Maxxine Dupri, who has made a fine IC champion. I think she retains here too, possibly with some interference. Lynch shouldn't be competing for the IC title, she's one of the biggest women's stars in the world. I would love to see her lose here, and then win the Royal Rumble to get her back in the title picture. Prediction: Maxxine Dupri wins.
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs. the Kabuki Warriors
This doesn't end here, which is why I don't see a title change. I think Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky will win, but they won't keep the titles. This could set up a great fourway match, possibly at Saturday Night's Main Event, with these two teams, as well as Nia Jax and Lash Legend, as well as Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss. It's crazy that WWE can have these eight great talents tied up in the tag team picture. They have certainly elevated those titles, which have been pretty important for some time. Prediction: Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky by disqualification.
CM Punk vs. Bron Breakker
I read somewhere that people think CM Punk is done. He's the biggest thing on TV right now. I'm not sure how he could be done, his matches are still very good, and nobody is better on the microphone. OK, Roman Reigns is better, but it's close! I'm a massive CM Punk fan and I always want him at or near the top. But he's not fighting a normal guy. Bron Breakker is a star in the making. Never mind, he's a star now. He's so much fun to watch, he's as good as his Uncle Big Bad Booty Daddy on the microphone, and he's going to be the top guy in WWE for years to come. That starts tonight. Breakker won't hold it through WrestleMania, perhaps he loses it to CM Punk in Chicago next month in the Elimination Chamber, but Bron Breakker leaves New York with the gold. Prediction: Bron Breakker beats CM Punk.
Will Chris Jericho be at Monday Night Raw?
I don't think so. There is rumors that the former ECW, WCW, AEW and WWE star will return to his former promotion tonight during Monday Night Raw. And I still think that's a distinct possibility. But with the Royal Rumble coming back, and Chris Jericho already pulling off shocking debuts during that match, I think he does it again this year if he returns to WWE. But if you watched Smackdown, you saw a title change, Matt Cardona return to WWE and some other surprises. It's hard to believe WWE won't make it's first 2026 live show on Netflix one to remember, especially with increased eyes on the product from the Stranger Things crossover. I predict no Jericho, but I do see some fun surprises popping up.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: WWE Raw January 5, 2026. WWE lineup for tonight
Continue reading...
