Just five days before the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, WWE Raw delivered a thrilling go-home show live on Netflix from Toronto, setting the stage for the highly anticipated event. But here's where it gets controversial: with AJ Styles facing a potential career-ending match against Gunther, the stakes have never been higher—and fans are divided on whether this is a fitting end for 'The Phenomenal One.'
The night was packed with action and drama, starting with AJ Styles addressing his high-stakes showdown with Gunther. If Styles loses on Saturday, he must retire, but he boldly declared that 2026 could still be his year. And this is the part most people miss: CM Punk, the World Heavyweight Champion, interrupted with a challenge, leading to an unadvertised main event that no one saw coming. The two independent wrestling legends clashed in a WWE ring, leaving fans in awe.
Earlier in the show, new No. 1 contenders for the tag team titles were determined in a chaotic four-way match featuring Alpha Academy, The Creed Brothers, The New Day, and Los Americanos. Meanwhile, Natalya addressed her shocking betrayal of Maxxine Dupri, vowing to take down Dupri and set her sights on Becky Lynch. Bold claim or calculated move? Fans are split on whether Natalya’s heel turn will pay off.
Adam Pearce also invited Bron Breakker to discuss his recent actions, lifting his suspension and confirming his spot in the Royal Rumble. This led to a heated match between Rey Mysterio and Austin Theory, which was marred by interference from The Vision and a poorly timed commercial break. Is WWE doing Theory a disservice by overloading his segments? Some fans think so.
The women’s division stole the show with a six-woman tag team match featuring Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, and Stephanie Vaquer against Liv Morgan, Roxanne Perez, and Raquel Rodriguez. The match showcased the division’s depth, but Vaquer’s visibly injured ankle raised concerns about her WrestleMania readiness. Should WWE pull her from the ring until she’s fully healed? It’s a question worth debating.
Michael Cole’s sit-down interview with Gunther was a highlight, as the 'Ring General' taunted Styles and claimed he’s stealing moments from wrestling’s 'old timers.' His confidence is undeniable, but is Gunther’s dominance becoming predictable? Some fans argue it’s time for a new challenger to step up.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: this episode of Raw has set the stage for a Royal Rumble that promises to be unforgettable. But what did you think? Is Styles’ potential retirement a fitting end, or is WWE missing the mark? Should Vaquer be sidelined until WrestleMania? Let us know in the comments—we want to hear your take!
.jpg?w=3800&h=2000)
