WWE Raw 2/23 Live Results: AJ Styles to be inducted into Hall of Fame

February 23, 2026 John Kleinchester NEWS, RECOMMENDED, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: WWE

erruptedFebruary 23, 2026
State Farm Arena – Atlanta, GA

By: John Kleinchester

WWE Raw Results

  • Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Jey Uso over El Grande Americano & Bronson Reed via Uso Splash in 15:32
  • Nattie over Maxxine Dupri via Referee Stoppage in 1:38
  • Je’Von Evans over Kofi Kingston via OG Cutter in 10:14
  • Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Raquel Rodriguez over Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane via Tejana Bomb in 10:54

 

House of the Dragon

WWE Raw from Atlanta kicked off with Michael Cole and Corey Graves in the ring to begin the AJ Styles tribute. Gunther interrupted, saying it was disgraceful to host a celebration for a loser. General Manager Adam Pearce interrupted the interruption, who brought security to escort Gunther out of the building. Gunther agreed, but because he was disgraced by what was happening tonight. Dragon Lee jumped Gunther from behind on his way out, and security separated them. Cody Rhodes then appeared, giving Gunther a wry smile and heading to the ring. 

Rhodes started talking about AJ Styles, but was interrupted by The Vision. This was effectively the fifth interruption in the first eleven minutes of the show. Logan Paul said that as soon as Bronson Reed wins the qualifier and the Elimination Chamber, they would kick Cody off of SmackDown. Cody said that he knows someone who disagreed, which brought out Jey Uso. 

Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match

The first match of the night was the qualifying match for the final spot in the Men’s Elimination Chamber, with Jey Uso taking on Bronson Reed and The Original Grande Americano. Americano gained an early advantage after a moonsault off the top rope onto Reed & Uso on the outside.

After an ad break, Bronson Reed got both Jey and Americano on his shoulders, hitting a double Samoan Drop on the two. At one point, AMericano attempted a headbutt from the top rope all the way across the ring and didn’t make it, slamming his own face into the mat. Corey Graves called it out, but Americano recovered by hitting a massive salling German Suplex to Bronson Reed as the show went to another break. During the break, the referee and Logan Paul checked on Reed, throwing up the dreaded “X”.

Upon return from break, a replay was shown with Reed seeming to have hurt his arm or bicep as he broke up a pin attempt. With Reed incapacitated, Americano and Uso continued on. Jey Uso picked up the win after a Spear and a Uso Splash. Jey seemed upset and looked around for Bronson Reed after he picked up the win. 

The first of several AJ Styles career highlights aired with his debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble. Afterward, Shinsuke Nakamura was seen talking to Bobby Roode, and Michael Cole mentioned their rivalries across New Japan and TNA, respectively. 

A Nascar pulled up to the arena, doing donuts. CM Punk emerged with driver Tyler Reddick. CM Punk and Nascar, perfect together. 

Liv’s Big Decision

Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio were out next as Liv was to announce her decision about who she would face at WrestleMania. Morgan looked upset as she came to the ring, and footage was shown from the sit-down with Stephanie Vaquer last week, where she walked off crying.  Mysterio called out both Stephanie Vaquer and Jade Cargill to make the decision face-to-face. Liv apologized to Vaquer as she didn’t realize how much she struggled to get to WWE. Morgan turned toward Jade but then nailed Vaquer with the microphone and started beating her down. The crowd didn’t react much to any of this, but Liv finished Vaquer off with Oblivion. 

Je’Von Evans was interviewed by Byron Saxton, but the performer Offset appeared, saying he was doing the theme song to the Elimination Chamber. The New Day interrupted, saying they’ve been inviting Offset to Raw for years, but he’s always said no. Kofi Kingston challenged Evans to a match for later tonight. 

A highlight of AJ Styles winning the WWE Championship in 2017 from Jinder Mahal was shown. Afterwards, The Good Brothers Anderson and Gallows were shown embracing with Tama Tanga, Tanga Loa, and Michin.

Maxxine Dupri vs. Nattie

Next was the rematch between Maxxine Dupri and Nattie (fka Natalya). The match began, and within two minutes, Nattie threw Maxxine into the ring post, and she went completely limp. Nattie kept attacking, and the referee threw the match out. Weird timing with an injury in the prior match.

Backstage, JD McDonagh apologized to Finn Balor for being a hot head last week. Balor accepted and said he would become Champion alone. Dom complained about being left alone last week and asked them to be there for him next week when he faces Penta for his Intercontinental Championship. Balor told Dom to grow up and stormed off. McDonagh said he’d talk to him and they’d be there for him next week. 

Adam Pearce was backstage with the Mystery Box, and he said he and Nick Aldis would open it together at Elimination Chamber. Rusev appeared and wanted to talk business, but Oba Femi showed up. Pearce stopped them from coming to blows, saying tonight was about AJ. 

The Beast & the Oracle

Brock Lesnar was out next with Paul Heyman, who said that no one was man enough to face Lesnar at WrestleMania. Heyman called up a graphic showing which WWE shows Brock Lesnar would appear on in the lead-up to Mania, saying that anyone could come down the aisle to accept Brock’s open challenge. Heyman then repeated himself, and that was the end of that. 

Becky Lynch cut a pre-taped promo saying that she’s done more for the business than AJ Lee ever had. Lynch said that AJ will be the least talented AJ to retire this year. 

 

Je’Von Evans vs. Kofi Kingston

Next was the match set up earlier in the night, with Je’Von Evans, accompanied by Offset, taking on Kofi Kingston with Xavier Woods and Grayson Waller. Woods had the advantage heading into the commercial. Afterwards, Evans mounted a comeback showing off his athleticism. Evans attempted a gigantic moonsault, landing on his feet but tweaking his knee in the process. Moments later, Evans was fine, hitting the Red Dot Kick followed by a massive dive onto Kingston on the outside. Waller nailed Evans behind the referee’s back, and Kingston hit the SOS, but Evans kicked out. Offset then attacked Waller, throwing him over the announce table. Evans hit the OG Cutter on Kingston for the win. 

Another AJ Styles highlight reel aired, followed by appearances by Frankie Kazarian and Abyss. 

Finn Balor cut a pre-taped promo saying that he needed to prove to the doubters, critics, and even the Judgment Day that he can do it. 

Punk Promo

CM Punk was out next, and during the commercial break, he seemed confused about why he was out there while the commercials were still running. Punk told Cole and Graves, “This promo is gonna suck, I’m letting you know now it’s going to suck.” 

CM Punk cut a promo talking about Finn Balor and Roman Reigns and how he was the main event of WrestleMania, and maybe he will punch Reigns in the face next week after he defeats Balor. Punk was right, this sucked. 

Petey Williams, Jeremy Borash, and Omos were shown backstage ahead of AJ Styles’ appearance. 

Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match

The final match of the night was the second of two qualifying matches to determine the final Women’s entrant into the Elimination Chamber, with Iyo Sky taking on Kairi Sane and Raquel Rodriguez. After an ad break, Sky and Sane temporarily teamed up on Rodriguez, sending her into the timekeeper’s area. Iyo Sky hit Over the Moonsault, but Rodriguez recovered enough to pull Sane out of the ring. Sky went for an Over the Moonsault on Raquel, but Sane knocked Raquel off the top rope. Rodriguez grabbed Sane and hit her with the Tejana Bomb for the win. 

Michael Cole announced that Bronson Reed has a distal biceps tear and will be out indefinitely. 

 

It was announced that AJ Styles’ tribute was next, and for some reason, they played Grayson Waller’s theme as they went to break. 

 

A Phenomenal Tribute

A tribute video for AJ Styles aired, set to Creed’s “Higher”. Included were shots of AJ holding the IWGP Championship and wearing a Bullet Club shirt. AJ Styles was out to the ring and said he was going to wear a suit, but the last time he did, he beat the piss out of Cody Rhodes, so he decided not to. Styles noted opponents in TNA like Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe, and Frankie Kazarian. He noted meeting The Good Brothers in Japan, and they showed him how to have fun in wrestling. Styles said he’s done everything but be a full-time father. Styles thanked his family and his wife, Wendy, for holding their family together. 

He turned his attention to losing to Gunther at the Royal Rumble. Styles said it was poetic going out at the Royal Rumble, ten years after his Rumble debut. He addressed not leaving his gloves in the ring, because he wanted to bring them to Atlanta and leave them “home”. With that, he left his jacket and gloves on the mat. Styles thanked the crowd and posed for the crowd as the locker room emptied onto the stage in tribute. 

The lights went off, and Undertaker appeared on his motorcycle (to his Kid Rock “American Badass theme) and got in the ring. Undertaker said they had unfinished business and announced that Styles was the newest inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame. Styles seemed legitimately surprised by this news, saying, “You got me,” as they hugged. AJ’s family then got in the ring, and Styles could be heard saying, “That’s so crazy”. Styles posed with his family as the show came to an end. Another Kerwin Silfies graphic was shown as well. 

 

About John Kleinchester 300 Articles
John Kleinchester is a New Jersey–based wrestling reporter, primarily covering WWE and AEW. He can be reached at [email protected].
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