WWE Raw Jan. 12 Review: Gunther Chops Down A Legend And The Boss Lays Down The Law
There is something special about the air in a European arena. Maybe itโs the soccer chants, maybe itโs the fact that they donโt get these shows every week, or maybe itโs just the sheer volume. Whatever it is, Dรผsseldorf brought it for this special Monday afternoon edition of Raw.
If you were stuck at work trying to sneak glances at your phone during a Zoom meeting to catch the results, don’t worry. Iโve got you covered. We had a surprisingly stacked card for a mid-January show, featuring a dream match that actually lived up to the billing and a General Manager who finally snapped.
Letโs break down the madness from Germany.
Gunther vs. AJ Styles: A Lesson in Brutality
Letโs not bury the lead here for Raw. We tuned in to see if AJ Styles, in what he claims is his final year, could hang with the ring general. The answer? Yes, but at a terrible cost to his chest.
Gunther is terrifying. Itโs not just the size; itโs the efficiency. The story told in the ring was simple but perfect: The Phenomenal One trying to use his speed and veteran savvy (specifically targeting the legs with the Calf Crusher) against a man who hits like a freight train.
There were moments where I genuinely thought Styles had him. When he locked in that Calf Crusher in the center of the ring, the PSD Bank Dome held its collective breath. But Gunther is a machine. The finish was pure, unadulterated violence. After escaping the submission, Gunther didn’t just pin him; he pulverized him. The “Tenryu Powerbomb” to finish it off was the exclamation point on a statement match. Gunther isnโt just holding his spot; heโs daring anyone to come take it on Raw.
Bron Breakker Crosses the Line
We all knew Bron Breakker wasn’t going to take his loss to CM Punk well on this episode of Raw. The guy is a genetic freak with a temper as short as a bottle rocket. But I didn’t expect him to maul Adam Pearce on Raw.
During the tag match between The Vision (Theory and Reed) and the luchadores (Dragon Lee and Penta), Bron decided he was bored with sitting on the sidelines. He speared Dragon Lee out of his boots, causing a DQ. Standard heel stuff, right? But when Adam Pearce marched out there to tell him to go home, Bron grabbed the GM by the lapels.
Big mistake. You donโt manhandle the boss, especially when the boss is a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion who looks like he can still go. Pearce didn’t back down an inch. He suspended Breakker indefinitely. Honestly? Itโs the best thing for Bronโs character. Let him stew at home and not on Raw. Let him get angrier. When he comes back, heโs going to tear the roof off the place.
CM Punk Has a Date in Belfast
Speaking of the World Heavyweight Champion, CM Punk came out looking refreshed and ready to stir the pot. Heโs calling himself the “fighting champion,” and he needs a dance partner for next weekโs Raw in Belfast.
Enter Finn Balor.
Now, usually, Balor is busy playing video games in the clubhouse while Liv Morgan yells at him (which, hilariously, we saw happen earlier in the night). But Finn stepped up here. He reminded Punk that he was on the “list” of guys Punk wanted to wrestle. The setup is perfect: Balor gets the home-field advantage in Ireland next week. The atmosphere in Belfast is going to be absolutely electric, and while I donโt expect the title to change hands on free TV, the near-falls are going to give me a heart attack.
The Womenโs Tag Division is Chaos (In a Good Way)
Rhea Ripley and IYO SKYโcalling themselves “RHIYO,” which sounds like a rigid diet plan, but I digressโcame out to celebrate their title win. Naturally, a wrestling celebration is just an open invitation for interruption.
We got Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez, followed by Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, and finally the Kabuki Warriors. It turned into a pier-six brawl, as these things usually do. But it set up a triple threat contenderโs match later in the night that was actually a banger. Liv Morgan pinned Kairi Sane to secure the shot for Judgment Day. It appears we are heading toward a massive collision between RHIYO and the Judgment Day ladies, and the tension is palpable.
Other Notes from Dรผsseldorf
- JeโVon Evans is the Future: This kid is unbelievable. He fought Bravo Americano and pulled off an Avalanche Spanish Fly that defied physics. The “OG Cutter” for the win popped the crowd huge. Heโs got that Jeff Hardy-esque connection with the fans already.
- Raquel Rodriguez is a Menace: She blindsided Stephanie Vaquer, whacking her injured boot with the title belt. Itโs cheap heat, but it works. Rodriguez looks like a legitimate threat, and Vaquer’s selling the injury makes the eventual comeback match that much more anticipated.
- Maxxine Dupriโs Villain Arc: Maxxine claiming sheโs going to break Becky Lynchโs ankle next week? Okay, Iโm listening. Itโs a bold strategy; letโs see if it pays off for her.
Overall, this was a fantastic Monday Night Raw.The crowd energy lifted everything up a notch, and we have clear directions heading into the Royal Rumble. Now, if youโll excuse me, I need to go re-watch that Gunther powerbomb.
