Let’s be honest for a second, last week on Raw was supposed to be the coronation. It was all set up on a tee. Bron Breakker, the genetic freak, the unstoppable force, the guy who looks like he eats dumbbells for breakfast, was supposed to steamroll CM Punk and take his place at the head of the table.
Instead? He got put to sleep.The “Old Man” (as Breakker so affectionately calls him) didn’t just survive; he outsmarted the kid. Punk hit the GTS, got the 1-2-3, and sent a very clear message: You’re good, kid, but you ain’t ready.
So, as we head into a special afternoon edition of Raw live from Düsseldorf, Germany, the biggest question isn’t about championship gold, it’s about Bron Breakker’s ego. How does a guy who has spent weeks barking like a rabid dog handle getting muzzled?We’re about to find out if Breakker has the mental game to match those biceps.
The Fallout in Düsseldorf
If you missed the first Raw of 2026, you missed a reality check. Breakker had every physical advantage in the book: youth, speed, and power. But wrestling isn’t just about how much you can bench press. It’s about knowing when to strike, and more importantly, knowing when you’re walking into a trap.
Punk and Breakker are both in the building today. I expect Punk to be insufferable in that classic Punk way we love/hate, probably dropping pipebombs about “experience” and “paying dues.” But all eyes are on Bron. Does he throw a tantrum? Does he try to fight the entire roster?
Or, and this is a big if, does he swallow that jagged pill of defeat and get back in line for the Royal Rumble? If WWE wants to salvage Bron’s momentum after getting pinned clean, they need to make him look dangerous today. I’m talking “rip the door off its hinges”, dangerous.
Gunther vs. Styles: A Wrestling Nerd’s Dream
Speaking of dangerous, can we talk about the fact that we’re getting Gunther vs. AJ Styles on free TV on Raw? Last week, AJ Styles, a man who apparently has zero regard for his own safety, slapped Gunther in the face. Slapped him. Like he was challenging a gentleman to a duel in 18th-century England. And Gunther? The Ring General just stood there. He didn’t flinch. He just stared into AJ’s soul with those cold, dead eyes.
That restraint was terrifying. Today, in his home territory of Germany, I don’t think we’ll see much restraint. This is a first-time matchup between two guys who treat the ring like a canvas, though Gunther prefers painting in shades of bruising purple. Styles is a legend, but he might have written a check his chest can’t cash.
The Rest of the Card is Stacked
We’ve got a tag match on Raw that feels like a chaotic fever dream: Dragon Lee & Penta vs. Bronson Reed & Austin Theory. This is the fallout from The Vision’s attempt to interfere last week and being neutralized by the LWO guys.
Also, rumor has it that LA Knight is in Germany. Considering The Vision put him on the shelf last month, I’d say Austin Theory should probably keep his head on a swivel. If Knight returns, the pop in Düsseldorf is going to register on the Richter scale. And let’s not forget the Women’s division, which is absolutely on fire right now:
- IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley are your new tag champs. That is a terrifying combination of high-flying precision and pure brutality. They’re kicking off the show, and I pity whoever interrupts that celebration.
- Becky Lynch proved Maxxine Dupri’s win was a fluke and took back her Intercontinental Championship. The Man is back on top, but Dupri isn’t going to go away quietly.
- Raquel Rodriguez decimated Stephanie Vaquer last week. We’re still waiting on an update for the Women’s World Champion, but Rodriguez is making a very loud case for a title shot.
Quick Hits & Random Thoughts
- The Usos: Jimmy and Jey say they’re holding the tag belts all year. Bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off. Who steps up first?
- Oba Femi: Can we please just call him up already? The man is a star waiting to happen.
- Liv Morgan: She’s back, she beat Lyra Valkyria, and Bayley is lurking. I smell a feud brewing.
- Ludwig Kaiser: If Kaiser doesn’t get a hero’s welcome in Germany, we have failed as a society.
- Rusev: Seriously, where is he?
The Road to the Royal Rumble is officially paved, and if last week was the warm-up, today is the sprint. Grab your coffee or a beer. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, and Raw is starting early. Are you ready? It’s going to be awesome.
