Live from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan
WWE Raw presents its final pre-taped episode before the holiday break with World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk confronting Gunther, Austin Theory making his intentions clear with The Vision, and major developments in the Women’s World Championship picture. This episode was recorded on December 19 to give the roster time off during the Christmas season.
With CM Punk set to defend against Bron Breakker on the January 5 Netflix episode, The Best in the World finds himself face-to-face with another former World Heavyweight Champion in Gunther. Meanwhile, Paul Heyman continues building The Vision’s ranks as Austin Theory appears poised to align with Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed.
Match Card
- Asuka vs. Rhea Ripley
- Je’Von Evans vs. Rayo Americano (Pete Dunne)
- Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez
- CM Punk and Rey Mysterio vs. Austin Theory and Bronson Reed
Asuka vs. Rhea Ripley
The Empress of Tomorrow opens the show against The Eradicator in a battle two weeks before Ripley teams with IYO SKY to challenge The Kabuki Warriors for the Women’s Tag Team Championships on January 5. This singles encounter serves as a critical test for both competitors heading into the new year.
Asuka, a founding member of The Kabuki Warriors alongside Kairi Sane, brings decades of championship pedigree into this matchup. Her technical mastery and submission expertise make her dangerous against any opponent, especially one she’ll face indirectly for tag team gold in just two weeks.
Ripley has been dominant since her return from injury, re-establishing herself as one of Raw’s most dangerous competitors. Her partnership with SKY represents an intriguing alliance between two former rivals, and this match against Asuka provides a preview of the intensity awaiting in their tag title challenge. With tensions high in The Judgment Day and multiple title opportunities on the horizon, Ripley enters focused on proving she remains The Eradicator.
Je’Von Evans vs. Rayo Americano
Fresh off his appearance at Saturday Night’s Main Event, Je’Von Evans faces Rayo Americano in what marks Pete Dunne’s first singles match on Raw under his new masked persona. This stylistic clash pits Evans’ high-flying innovation against the mat-based brutality that made Dunne a breakout star.
Evans has impressed during his recent Raw appearances, showcasing the athleticism and fearlessness that made him a standout in NXT. Facing a veteran like Dunne represents a significant step up in competition, testing whether Evans can handle Raw’s main roster intensity.
For Rayo Americano, this represents a major opportunity to establish himself on Raw’s biggest stage. Dunne’s technical prowess and aggressive style have made him one of the most respected workers in WWE, and the Rayo Americano character allows him to reinvent himself while maintaining that edge. Victory here would announce his arrival as a legitimate Raw player heading into Royal Rumble season.
Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez
The Role Model faces The Prodigy as tensions within The Judgment Day continue escalating. Bayley has been searching for direction since her Saturday Night’s Main Event loss to Sol Ruca, while Perez represents The Judgment Day’s newest addition and its potential future.
Bayley’s veteran experience contrasts sharply with Perez’s youthful aggression. The former SmackDown Women’s Champion has been teaming with Lyra Valkyria with eyes on tag team gold, but this singles encounter reminds everyone why Bayley remains one of WWE’s most accomplished competitors. She’ll look to use her ring intelligence to neutralize Perez’s speed advantage.
Perez has aligned herself with Liv Morgan in The Judgment Day’s increasingly complicated power structure. With Raquel Rodriguez distancing herself from the faction and friction between the women escalating, this match carries implications beyond just a win or loss. Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio watch helplessly as their faction splinters, making Perez’s performance here critical to her standing within the group.
The match is expected to end controversially, with interference from other Judgment Day members further highlighting the dysfunction tearing the faction apart.
CM Punk and Rey Mysterio vs. Austin Theory and Bronson Reed (Main Event)
The main event features World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk teaming with Rey Mysterio to battle The Vision members Austin Theory and Bronson Reed. This tag team encounter brings together multiple storylines converging as WWE heads into 2026.
Punk has been absent from television since Survivor Series, where he was attacked by a masked assailant. His return as champion brings immediate questions about his January 5 title defense against Bron Breakker, especially with Paul Heyman orchestrating The Vision’s expansion. Teaming with Mysterio provides an opportunity to scout potential threats while building momentum heading into his first Netflix-era title defense.
Austin Theory stands at a crossroads tonight. After going behind Punk at Survivor Series, Theory’s intentions regarding The Vision alignment will be revealed. The 28-year-old former United States Champion debuted new ring gear at these tapings, signaling a fresh chapter in his career. Backstage segments with Paul Heyman throughout the night will establish whether Theory officially joins Breakker and Reed, fundamentally altering Raw’s power structure.
Rey Mysterio continues his war with The Vision, determined to fight through every member to reach his ultimate goal: challenging his son Dominik for the Intercontinental Championship. Mysterio slapped Logan Paul recently after Paul claimed he would retire the legend, escalating tensions that will explode in their match later this month.
The match reportedly ends with Theory pinning Mysterio, securing victory for The Vision and making a definitive statement. Post-match, Bron Breakker is expected to enter the ring, with The Vision standing tall over their fallen opponents heading into the holiday break.
Segments to Watch
CM Punk and Gunther Face-Off: The World Heavyweight Champion and The Ring General have a tense confrontation that raises the stakes for Punk’s title reign. Gunther, fresh off ending John Cena’s career at Saturday Night’s Main Event, positions himself as the standard-bearer of WWE and a future title challenger. The segment is expected to be interrupted by CM Punk and Rey Mysterio, leading to the main event tag team match.
Paul Heyman and Austin Theory: The Wise Man has a backstage conversation with Theory, continuing his manipulation of Raw’s roster. Heyman also meets with Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, with discussions centered around whether Theory should be allowed to join The Vision. These segments build to the main event’s conclusion.
Judgment Day Backstage Drama: A backstage segment focuses on the group’s internal struggles. Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez appear united, while Raquel Rodriguez distances herself from the faction. Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio grow increasingly frustrated, unable to regain control of a group fracturing along gender lines.
Becky Lynch Returns: The Man makes her first appearance since Survivor Series: WarGames, confronting Women’s Intercontinental Champion Maxxine Dupri. Lynch has been vocal about alleged corruption by Raw General Manager Adam Pearce and referee Jessika Carr following her title loss. The confrontation escalates into a physical encounter, with Maxxine reportedly locking Lynch in an ankle lock, making The Man tap out again and establishing the champion’s legitimacy.
Gunther and AJ Styles: The Ring General crosses paths with The Phenomenal One backstage in an intriguing encounter. With both men positioned as top-tier competitors, this meeting plants seeds for potential future programs.
Announced for Future Episodes
December 29, 2025:
- AJ Styles and Dragon Lee defend the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships against The Usos
- Stephanie Vaquer defends the Women’s World Championship against Raquel Rodriguez and Nikki Bella in a Triple Threat Match
January 5, 2026 (Raw on Netflix):
- CM Punk defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker
- Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY challenge The Kabuki Warriors for the Women’s Tag Team Championships
- Becky Lynch defends the Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Maxxine Dupri
Looking Ahead
- CM Punk’s title reign faces its first major test as The Vision closes ranks around him
- Austin Theory’s decision tonight fundamentally reshapes Raw’s main event scene
- The Judgment Day’s implosion accelerates, with the women’s division friction reaching a breaking point
- Becky Lynch’s return sets up a championship rematch after Maxxine Dupri’s dominant showing
- The road to Royal Rumble 2026 in Saudi Arabia officially begins, with multiple storylines building toward WWE’s first international Rumble
- Gunther establishes himself as the top contender for whoever holds championship gold heading into WrestleMania season
WWE Raw airs tonight at 8 PM ET on Netflix from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This is the final episode before WWE’s holiday break and the company’s Holiday Tour.
