Get ready for a thrilling edition of WWE Raw as we celebrate the final Monday night show of 2025! Next week, we'll be marking a significant milestone: the one-year anniversary of WWE Raw's historic move to Netflix. But this week, we've got an action-packed card that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Return of a Fan Favorite
The spotlight shines on Stephanie Vaquer, the WWE Women's World Champion, who faces a tough challenge against Nikki Bella and Raquel Rodriguez. The Tag Team Championships are also up for grabs, adding even more excitement to the night. But wait, there's more! Rey Mysterio, a beloved veteran, makes his grand comeback, and The Vision has some explosive revelations to share.
As we delve into the results of this week's WWE Raw, get ready for some unexpected twists and turns.
The Judgment Day's Fate Uncertain
Liv Morgan and Joe Tessitore have confirmed that Dominik Mysterio will be sidelined indefinitely due to a shoulder injury sustained during an AAA event. This raises questions about his Intercontinental Championship status. Will he be forced to relinquish the title? Only time will tell.
CM Punk's Title Defense: A Rising Star's Moment
Fresh off his World Heavyweight Championship victory in November, CM Punk steps into the ring for his first title defense on the January 5th episode of WWE Raw. Breakker, eager for a shot at the title, called out the champion immediately after his team's victory at WarGames. Punk delivered a powerful promo, but Breakker struck back with a verbal assault. The fire within Punk seems to be waning, but one promo doesn't define a champion. If this weren't Punk's first defense, I might be tempted to cheer for Breakker's upset victory. Nonetheless, this rising star is poised to put on a spectacular show as he heads into 2026 as a legitimate World Champion contender.
Stephanie Vaquer's Cunning Victory
Stephanie faced a formidable challenge in her title defense, but as she's proven time and again, she's the ultimate champion. In a thrilling match, Stephanie executed her signature Devil's Kiss maneuver on Raquel, a move that could be crowned the most overused wrestling move of the year. Nikki attempted a roll-up, but Raquel's shoulders weren't fully down, giving her time to recover. Raquel powered through, but the champion escaped. Nikki fell victim to Stephanie's Powerbomb, and the champion rolled her up for the pin, securing a sneaky yet well-deserved victory.
Penta's Return: A Shoulder Injury Overcome
During the highly anticipated match between Austin Theory and Rey Mysterio, Penta made his long-awaited return. After suffering a shoulder injury in November during his match with Solo Sikoa, Penta's comeback was a welcome surprise. Theory dominated much of the match, but even with Logan Paul in his corner, he resorted to unsportsmanlike tactics. Paul pounced on Mysterio, leading to a disqualification. This is where Penta made his entrance, clearing the ring and raising Mysterio's hand in victory.
The Usos Strike Tag Team Gold
The Usos, known for their incredible ring chemistry, challenged Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Dragon Lee for their titles. Working in perfect tandem, The Usos made quick tag team maneuvers to stay fresh throughout the match. The momentum shifted when Styles attempted the Phenomenal Forearm but was intercepted by a Double Superkick. Jimmy and Jey then delivered their signature 1D move on Lee, securing their ninth WWE Tag Team Championship gold. With Styles planning to retire in 2026, it's crucial to give them a proper send-off by removing the titles sooner rather than later. Let's hope WWE learns from the mistakes made during John Cena's retirement tour!
Stay tuned to VICE for all the latest news and updates on WWE. This week's WWE Raw promises to be an unforgettable night of wrestling action.
