Raw Recap: The Upside Down Comes to Brooklyn, but Did the Hype Deliver?
If you were expecting a Demogorgon to rip through the canvas or Eleven to hit a psychic suplex on Adam Pearce, you might have left this week’s Stranger Things-themed Raw feeling a little short-changed. But for wrestling purists? Monday night in Brooklyn was a mixed bag of nostalgia, high-octane athletics, and just enough weirdness to keep us scratching our heads.
The first Raw of 2026 on Netflix promised the world. Did we get it? Well, we got a set design that looked like it cost more than the GDP of Hawkins, Indiana and a main event that reminded everyone why CM Punk still moves merchandise like it’s 2011. But between the ropes, the show struggled to escape the “just another episode” vibe, despite the blockbuster window dressing.
Let’s break down the chaos, the championships and the strange things that went bump in the night on Raw.
The Women’s Tag Division Gets a Serious Shake-Up
You know that feeling when you finally stand up to the bully who’s been stealing your lunch money for months? That was the energy Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY brought to the ring against the Kabuki Warriors.
This wasn’t just a match; it was an exorcism of frustration. Asuka and Kairi Sane have been thorns in everyone’s side, but Monday night Raw, the thorns got pruned. The chemistry here was electric. IYO SKY, paying homage to the legendary Hiroshi Tanahashi (a nod that didn’t go unnoticed by the commentary team), looked like she was shot out of a cannon.
The finish was pure poetry. Ripley hitting the Riptide followed immediately by SKY’s Over the Moonsault? That’s the kind of combo breaker you see in video games, not real life. New champions crowned, and honestly? It feels like the division just got a massive shot of adrenaline.
Becky Lynch Teaches Maxxine Dupri a Hard Lesson
Speaking of adrenaline, let’s talk about Becky Lynch. If Maxxine Dupri is the eager rookie who studied the playbook, Becky is the veteran who wrote it, burned it, and then rewrote it in her own image.
Their Intercontinental Championship bout wasn’t just a wrestling match; it was a psychological thriller. Dupri has improved leaps and bounds her ankle lock is becoming a legitimate threat, but she fell victim to the classic blunder: thinking you can outsmart “The Man.”
Lynch didn’t win because she was stronger or faster. She won because she’s craftier. Using the ropes for leverage to steal the pin might be dirty, but in the history books, it just says “Winner.” It’s a harsh lesson for Dupri, but one she needed. You don’t get to the top of the mountain by playing nice, and Becky just reminded everyone she’s still the queen of the hill.
CM Punk vs. Bron Breakker: Old School vs. New Freak
The main event was the headline attraction, and rightfully so. CM Punk, rocking a University of Michigan-colored varsity jacket (petty Punk is the best Punk, let’s be honest), walked into the ring looking like the grizzled gunslinger facing down the young, hungry sheriff.
Bron Breakker is terrifying. There’s no other word for it. The kid moves with a velocity that shouldn’t be physically possible for a human built like a tank. Seeing him hurl his body through the air and crash Punk through the announce table was one of those “did I just see that?” moments that make you spill your popcorn.
However, here’s the thing about veterans like Punk: they survive. They endure. Breakker threw everything at him spears, gut busters, even stealing Punk’s own moves but he made one critical error. He crashed and burned on a spear attempt into the ring post, and that opened the door.
Despite the chaotic interference from The Vision and the LWO (which, honestly, felt a bit like over-seasoning a perfectly good steak), the ending was satisfying. Punk hitting the GTS to retain wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. He survived the onslaught. He survived the future. But looking at Breakker, you get the distinct feeling that Punk didn’t stop the inevitable he just delayed it.
The Verdict: Did Netflix Stick the Landing For Raw?
So, was the Stranger Things crossover a home run? Not exactly. Aside from the set and some chapter titles, the theme felt a bit tacked on. And for a show hyped as a massive anniversary spectacular, the middle card dragged like a Monday morning meeting.
But when the bell rang for the big fights, the talent delivered. We got title changes, we got storytelling, and we got a main event that didn’t disappoint on Raw. It wasn’t a perfect episode, but it set the table for the Road to WrestleMania. And really, isn’t that what we’re all here for?
