Welcome to a New Era of WWE Raw: What to Expect in 2026
The first Monday Night Raw of 2026 promises to be an exciting event for WWE fans, as the promotion kicks off the New Year with a star-studded lineup. The show, set to emanate live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, marks the one-year anniversary of the Red Brand on Netflix.
Title Matches Galore
The main event of the night will see CM Punk defend his World Heavyweight title against Bron Breakker. Following their deeply personal promos that targeted each other's families, the animosity between the two has escalated. Breakker, who rallied for a World title shot after pinning the Champion during the men's WarGames match, will now have the opportunity to challenge Punk.
Additionally, the Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) will defend their Women's Tag Team titles against Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky. Since turning on Iyo Sky, the Kabuki Warriors have targeted her and Ripley on every occasion, and with the Women's Tag titles on their shoulder, they themselves have become a target for other contenders.
Maxxine Dupri will also defend her Women's Intercontinental title against Becky Lynch. Following her return two weeks earlier, Lynch is hungry to get back the win against Dupri and reclaim the Women's Intercontinental title.
Return of Familiar Faces
Liv Morgan, who made her surprising return during the Survivor Series 2025 PLE, is set to make her in-ring return on WWE Programming for the first time since her injury in June. Morgan will battle Lyra Valkyria in a singles match.
Meanwhile, there are rumors swirling about the return of Chris Jericho. With multiple reports hinting at his return to the promotion, fans are speculating whether Y2J will return to WWE, following his contract expiration with AEW. General Adam Pearce, during his weekly preview of Raw, said something that caught the attention of fans. The line "break down the walls" is famously associated with Jericho's WWE entrance music, and Pearce's direct reference to it has sparked speculation among fans about a possible Jericho return.
Relevance for Northeast India and Beyond
For Northeast India and the broader Indian context, the return of Chris Jericho, if it happens, would be significant. Jericho has a large fan base in India, and his return could generate excitement among fans in the region. Moreover, his potential feuds with Indian superstars could add a new dimension to the WWE narrative.
Looking Ahead
With multiple big names, including CM Punk, Rhea Ripley, Penta, and Jey Uso, being advertised for the show, the first Monday Night Raw of 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting event. As the WWE continues to push the envelope in terms of storytelling and in-ring action, fans can expect the unexpected. Stay tuned for more updates!