WWE Raw went live with Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore welcoming viewers before immediately setting the tone for the evening. The commentary team framed the show as one dominated by power shifts and looming WrestleMania implications, tossing things to a video package recapping the increasingly volatile situation involving Austin Theory and The Vision.
That tension carried straight into the arena as The Vision made their way to the ring, joined by Austin Theory. Paul Heyman took centre stage, soaking in the crowd reaction before formally introducing himself, Bron Breakker, Logan Paul, Bronson Reed, and Theory. Heyman declared the group a collection of future WrestleMania main eventers, insisting this was the moment fans would scroll back to years from now and recognise as history being made. He then officially welcomed Theory as the newest member of The Vision.
Theory addressed the crowd, calling the moment the culmination of his entire career. He praised Breakker as the inevitable next World Heavyweight Champion and spoke about finally being surrounded by people who saw the business the same way he did. His celebration was short-lived.
CM Punk’s music hit, and the champion made his way to the ring to a strong reaction. Punk wasted no time dismissing Theory, saying he had no interest in listening to him speak. Punk made it clear his presence was about Bron Breakker. He spoke about his long career and the many labels he had been given, then sarcastically wondered if anyone in The Vision was capable of thinking for themselves.
Punk pointed out the obvious numbers disadvantage and said he could speak his piece before inevitably being jumped, or Breakker could prove he was different. Punk challenged Breakker to send the rest of The Vision away so they could talk face to face. After a tense pause, Breakker surprised many by doing exactly that, dismissing Heyman, Reed, Logan Paul, and Theory to ringside.
Breakker said The Vision existed because it focused on what comes next, but he was tired of being called “the future.” He declared himself the present. Breakker said he was willing to give everything for the World Heavyweight Championship on January 5, even his life if necessary. Punk responded by saying carrying the title was a privilege, one he was not ready to give up. Punk acknowledged Breakker’s strength and intensity, but said the difference was simple: Breakker was not CM Punk. The staredown closed the opening segment with the WrestleMania picture growing clearer.
The tone shifted as Nikki Bella made her entrance, followed by Raquel Rodriguez and Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer, setting the stage for the night’s first match.
WWE Women’s World Championship
Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Nikki Bella
The triple threat opened at a frantic pace, with Nikki immediately targeting Vaquer. Bella used her speed to knock Rodriguez from the apron and sent Vaquer into the barricade before focusing her offence inside the ring. Nikki dominated early, repeatedly driving Vaquer face-first into the turnbuckles as the match spilt into a commercial break.
Rodriguez used her power to slow the pace after the break, delivering heavy strikes and submission holds on Vaquer. Nikki re-entered the fight with aerial offence, breaking up submissions and forcing Rodriguez to release her grip. The dynamic constantly shifted as each woman fought to isolate the other two.
Vaquer nearly secured the victory with Devil’s Kiss, but Rodriguez broke it up at the last moment. Nikki then trapped Rodriguez in an STF, only for Vaquer to reverse and keep Nikki locked in while also striking Rodriguez. The match continued to escalate, with near-falls coming in rapid succession.
Rodriguez controlled the ring late, sending Nikki into the announce desk and nearly pinning Vaquer, but the champion refused to stay down. In the closing moments, Rodriguez attempted a double chokeslam, but Vaquer escaped, dumped Rodriguez to the floor, and pinned Nikki to retain her championship.
Winner: Stephanie Vaquer
As Vaquer celebrated, The Kabuki Warriors appeared. Asuka boasted about defeating Rhea Ripley the previous week and declared that she and Kairi Sane were untouchable as champions. Ripley and Iyo Sky responded, charging the ring and igniting a wild brawl. The chaos spilt outside, with superkicks, strikes, and near collisions with the announce desk before officials intervened.
Gunther then made his entrance, smugly reminding the crowd that he had once again forced John Cena to tap out. R-Truth followed, attempting to inject humour into an otherwise tense atmosphere.
Gunther vs. R-Truth
Truth started aggressively, firing off punches and attempting a scissors kick. Gunther shrugged him off with a thunderous chop that stopped Truth in his tracks. From there, the match was academic. Gunther delivered a bodyslam, powerbombed Truth, and pulled him up from the pin to continue the punishment. After hammering him with elbows, Gunther applied a sleeper hold, forcing Truth to tap out.
Winner: Gunther
Rey Mysterio entered next, followed by Austin Theory, with Logan Paul once again lurking at ringside.
Austin Theory vs. Rey Mysterio
Theory controlled the early going with power moves, repeatedly driving Rey into the turnbuckles. Rey rallied with hurricanranas and quick strikes, nearly hitting the 619. Theory countered by sending Rey shoulder-first into the ring post.
The match swung back and forth until Rey once again attempted the 619. This time, Logan Paul intervened, tripping Rey and causing the referee to call for the disqualification.
Winner: Rey Mysterio via DQ
After the bell, Theory and Paul attacked Rey until Penta rushed the ring, taking both men down and standing tall beside Mysterio.
Maxxine Dupri then addressed the crowd, wishing them well after the holidays and reminding everyone she had forced Becky Lynch to tap out the previous week. Lynch interrupted, dismissing Dupri’s accomplishments and boasting about her own career. Dupri fired back, accusing Lynch of clinging to the past and refusing to accept change. Lynch’s frustration boiled over, but Dupri once again locked her in the ankle lock, forcing officials to step in.
Backstage, Adam Pearce was seen speaking with Trick Williams when Bayley and Lyra Valkyria interrupted, demanding a shot at the Women’s Tag Team Championships.
The Usos made their entrance next, followed by WWE World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Dragon Lee.
WWE World Tag Team Championship
AJ Styles & Dragon Lee (c) vs. The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso)
The main event opened with Styles and Jey Uso locking up. Styles and Lee worked seamlessly, cutting the ring in half and isolating Jimmy Uso. The Usos weathered the storm, eventually targeting Styles’ leg to slow him down.
The match broke down into chaos, with dives, near-falls, and repeated momentum shifts. Styles nearly put the match away with the Styles Clash, but Jey kicked out. Lee followed with a double stomp, but Jimmy saved his brother.
In the closing moments, The Usos connected with a double superkick, followed by 1D on Dragon Lee. Jey made the cover to win the titles.
Winners: The Usos – NEW CHAMPIONS
The show closed with The Usos celebrating in the crowd, new champions once again, as Raw ended with the tag team division firmly shaken up heading into the new year.
Next week’s WWE Raw will be the first Raw of 2026 and will take place live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and will feature matches such as CM Punk defending his World Heavyweight Title against Bron Breakker, Asuka and Kairi Sane defending their Women’s Tag Team Championship against Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley, and Maxxine Dupri defending her Women’s IC Title against Becky Lynch.
