5 TAKEAWAYS FROM WWE RAW 1/19/26

AJ Styles putting his career on the line against Gunther at the Royal Rumble is MASSIVE. This is because I don’t see a world where AJ defeats Gunther after The Ring General has already vanquished John Cena. (And Goldberg to boot.) In fact, commentary referred to Gunther as the “Career Killer” throughout the show. This may actually be all she wrote for Styles, one of the best to ever lace up a pair of boots. This caught me incredibly off guard and even saddened me. I didn't think it would happen this soon. The stakes could not be higher, nor my investment in this match. 

 

Je’Von Evans was injured during his match with El Grande Americano. Seemingly an arm or shoulder injury that occurred during a commercial break. The timing and presence of the ringside physician leads me to believe this is legit. Hoping for the best as WWE and the audience have been very high on the Young OG. Wishing him a speedy recovery and hoping to see him at the Rumble. 

 

Finn Balor’s still got it. It was incredible to see a babyface side of the leader of Balor Club once again. Great to hear that music, and the crowd popped so big that Balor couldn’t even hear his music cues. Like I always say, good problems to have. Strong showing by Finn, during a solid match with Punk who is another one who is much closer to the end of his career than the beginning. I said it last week, there’s a changing of the guard going on across the board in all of professional wrestling. 

 

The absence of Stephanie Vaquer has been alarming as we don’t know the extent of her injury. Raquel Rodriguez has been stepping up tremendously and I can even make a case for her being the next Women’s World Champion depending on the extent of Vaquer’s injury. Strong showing by all of the Judgement Day tonight, and glad to see the women of the faction on the forefront. 

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The Paul Heyman and Adam Pearce storyline has been very intriguing. Pearce, a former NWA Champion often standing up for himself, doesn't back down to ANY wrestler on the roster. It’s a line he has to tow carefully, as you don’t want to make the talent look weak in any way. I think Pearce is doing a phenomenal job. Yet Heyman’s constant and quiet threats have me concerned as I foresee a beatdown or professional consequences coming for the GM, and perhaps a new General Manager on the way. 

 

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