WWE Raw 1/19 Results: Punk defeats Balor, Styles to put career on the line vs. Gunther

January 19, 2026 John Kleinchester NEWS, RECOMMENDED, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: Netflix

January 19, 2026
The SSE Arena – Belfast, Northern Ireland

By: John Kleinchester

WWE Raw Results

  • Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch over Maxxine Dupri via Manhandle Slam in 11:35
  • Rey Mysterio, Penta & Dragon Lee over The Vision via Mexican Destroyer in 15:02
  • El Grande Americano over Je’Von Evans via Referee Stoppage due to Injury in 6:21
  • World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk over Finn Balor via GTA in 16:13

 

Another Career on the Line?

WWE Raw from Belfast kicked off with Gunther cutting an in-ring promo after defeating AJ Styles last week. Gunther said his path forward was back to the World Heavyweight Championship, so he is officially declaring for the Royal Rumble. AJ Styles then interrupted, challenging Gunther to a rematch at the Royal Rumble. Gunther declined, and Styles called him “scared”. Styles said that Gunther tapped out like a “little bitch” last week. Gunther said if Styles wanted a rematch, he had to put his career on the line, and he needed an answer by the end of the night. Gunther “officially declared” for the Rumble first, so does that mean he will have to pull double duty? How official is “officially declaring”? (Note: later Cathy Kelley said Gunther had declared, so it appears this is the case).

Backstage, Natalya offered to be in Maxxine Dupri’s corner tonight so Becky couldn’t pull any shenanigans like she did last time. Hmm, what could this be leading to?

Intercontinental Championship

The first match of the night was Becky Lynch defending her Intercontinental Championship in a rematch with Maxxine Dupri. During a commercial break, Lynch attempted to cut a heel promo on the crowd, saying she is glad she doesn’t live in Ireland anymore. The crowd booed lightly but didn’t seem to fully take the bait. The match began, and Becky was in control going into the ad break. Upon return, both women took turns attempting pin and submission attempts. Becky removed the top turnbuckle cover behind the referee’s back, but Maxxine was able to apply the Ankle Lock. Becky then went headfirst into the exposed buckle. Maxxine then completely whiffed on a spinning kick but went for the cover anyway. Natalya, however, put Becky’s foot on the rope. Lynch then hit the Manhandle Slam for the win. Natalya then beat down Maxxine, screaming that she will never learn. 

Adam Pearce was speaking with AJ Styles backstage, telling him he did not have to accept Gunther’s challenge. Paul Heyman then appeared, and Pearce told Heyman that he would be at ringside for The Vision’s match and that they needed to be on their best behavior. During the next commercial break, Los Americanos cut a promo with Rayo and Bravo, who actually spoke in Spanish, as well as El Grande. 

Elsewhere backstage, Raquel Rodriguez noted that Stephanie Vaquer still wasn’t cleared and no one knew when she’d be ready, but she was going to take her title. Liv addressed having doubts about Roxanne, but that was all behind them, and they were going to win the tag titles at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Finn Balor said he wasn’t leaving Ireland without Punk’s championship. 

Jey Uso cut a promo in the crowd and declared himself for the Royal Rumble. The New Day accosted Adam Pearce about the open challenge for the tag titles that The Usos promised them. Pearce announced a Fatal 4-Way next week with the winner becoming the #1 Contenders for the tag titles. 

 

The Vision vs. Rey, Dragon, and Penta

Next up was Logan Paul, Bronson Reed, and Austin Theory taking on Rey Mysterio, Penta, and Dragon Lee. Adam Pearce was sat at ringside to observe. The action began with Logan Paul getting a big heel reaction and Rey Mysterio getting the biggest face reaction. The face team hit synchronized Tope con Hilos with Rey hitting a Moonsault from the second rope as the show went to commercial.

From there, The Vision got the heat on Mysterio and eventually built to a hot tag to Penta. Things broke down from there,  with all six men jumping into the ring. Heyman jumped onto the ring apron, and Logan Paul got the brass knuckles but was caught by the referee. Pearce confiscated the knucks, and Heyman and Pearce started arguing. Mysterio got the knuckles and hit Logan with them. Penta executed a Mexican Destroyer on Austin Theory to pick up the win. Heyman could be seen texting on his phone as the segment ended.

Later backstage, Pearce and Heyman continued arguing when Pearce’s phone rang; Heyman advised him to take the call. 

CM Punk was interviewed backstage and said he was playing an away game tonight. 

Everyone Declares for the Rumble

Next, Women’s Tag Team Champions Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky cut an in-ring promo where they both declared themselves for the Royal Rumble. Expectedly, they were interrupted by their challengers for Saturday Night’s Main Event, Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez. Perez said that she, Liv, and Raquel were all declaring themselves for the Rumble as well. Raquel Rodriguez then appeared from out of nowhere, and the three heels beat down the Tag Champs. Liv hit Ripley with Oblivion to end the segment. 

Backstage, Bayley was talking to herself when Lyra Valkyria entered and said she hated letting her friend down. Bayley noted that neither of them got pinned in their match, and they could both enter the Royal Rumble. 

 

Evans vs. Americano

Next up was El Grande Americano taking on Je’Von Evans. Early in the match, Michael Cole mistakenly referred to Evans as Kofi Kingston, which he had to play off as him still thinking about the New Day promo from earlier. During the commercial break, the match came to a complete standstill as Evans was being attended to by the ringside doctors. Immediately upon return, the match was called, and Evans was helped to the bag as he seemed to clutch at his right shoulder or pectoral. 

Finn Balor was interviewed backstage, saying he respected CM Punk, but this was his island and his people. During the commercial, Rey Mysterio, Penta, and Dragon Lee all declared for the Rumble. 

Adam Pearce asked Paul Heyman backstage to speak to Bron Breakker in person. Pearce claimed that it had nothing to do with the phone call he received, and Heyman agreed to bring him next week. Styles reemerged and said he decided to take up Gunther’s offer. 

Asuka blamed Kairi Sane for losing their titles and losing last week as well. She said it hurt her as much as Iyo turning on her. Sane promised to make sure Asuka would win the Rumble. 

World Heavyweight Championship

The main event of the evening was CM Punk defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Ireland’s own Finn Balor, who entered to his original theme music, much to the crowd’s delight.

Early in the match, Punk sent Balor over the announce desk, and Finn seemed slow to get up, favoring his leg and worrying the announcers and the crowd, having just seen the Evans injury. Punk worked the match more leaning heel, playing to the crowd after punishing Balor with his offense. Balor set up for a Coup de Grace, but Punk intercepted and hit Balor with a Superplex. Punk and Balor went back and forth before Punk hit the GTS on Balor, but only got a two-count.

Punk applied the Anaconda Vice, but Balor was able to get to the rope to break up the submission attempt. Punk set up for a second GTS, but Balor fought out of it. Balor then successfully hit the Coup de Grace, but Punk was able to kick out. Punk then hit Balor with another GTS and picked up the pinfall victory. After the match, the two shook hands, and Punk held Balor’s hand up as the show ended. 

About John Kleinchester 290 Articles
John Kleinchester is a wrestling reporter from New Jersey, covering the sport since 2022. He is a graduate of Ithaca College and can be reached at [email protected].
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