Strange in the best way possible that is, as Netflix merged two of its biggest products Monday, making this episode of Raw, the one year anniversary of WWE with Netflix, a WWE x Stranger Things episode. This comes after the streaming giant's biggest show, ‘Stranger Things’ came to an end after nearly 10 years last week. Its immense popularity has led to companies and people promoting the show with every chance they can, and Netflix of course got involved in a major way.
NEW YORK -- The WWE’s first Monday Night Raw episode of 2026 was highly anticipated due to the high volume of championship matches, but it ended up strange.
Strange in the best way possible that is, as Netflix merged two of its biggest products Monday, making this episode of Raw, the one year anniversary of WWE with Netflix, a WWE x Stranger Things episode.
This comes after the streaming giant's biggest show, ‘Stranger Things’ came to an end after nearly 10 years last week. Its immense popularity has led to companies and people promoting the show with every chance they can, and Netflix of course got involved in a major way.
The episode opened with a clever upside down camera shot of a breath-taking set and stage featuring stranger things items and easter eggs, such as the WSQK radio station truck that the main characters drive around in the newest season.
There were also vines throughout the stage and ringside, making fans feel like they were in Hawkins, Indiana themselves. Throughout the night there were backstage shots showing more Stranger Things mementos, and cool graphics featuring the show’s demogorgons and characters.
This was a great idea executed well by Netflix, giving those who are fans of both products a show they will remember.
The wrestling product was very impressive as well, and fittingly, ended a little strangely.
A Pair of Title Changes
There were three title matches lined up for the night, and two of them ended with new champions being crowned.
The opener saw Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky dethrone the Kabuki Warriors, after a long feud between the two teams. It is unclear where things will go now, but the two fan favorites, Ripley and Sky will certainly have a fun run.
Whether or not they will feud again is still up in the air, as Rhea has still never beaten Iyo one-on-one. Potentially one of them turns, leading to a battle of the ex-besties at WrestleMania? Only time will tell
Next up, Maxxine Dupri has been pushed heavily by WWE in recent months, to the point of beating Becky Lynch for the intercontinental title a little over a month ago. On Monday though, in her first time defending the title against Becky, Dupri was outsmarted by the heel, and lost the title.
Just like that, Lynch is the champ again. It is unclear where WWE is going with this. Possibly they just wanted to give Dupri a chance and see what she would do with it, in which she absolutely shined, and now will be more legitimate in her future feuds.
With her losing, it has to be AJ Lee coming back to dethrone Becks now, right? If it is the Becky and AJ feud next, possibly stretching out until WrestleMania, fans are in for a treat.
A Strangely Simple Main Event
In the main event of the evening, Bron Breakker took on CM Punk, challenging him for his WWE World Heavyweight championship. There was an opportunity for a changing of the guard, for the young ‘dawg’ to dethrone the veteran.
However, that isn’t what happened. There were a few interferences, with ‘The Vision’ getting involved, to which Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee and Penta came out to fight them off, taking it back to a one-on-one match.
After some back-and-forth, and Punk and Breakker exchanging near-falls, CM Punk countered Breakker with a knee just after Breakker elbowed him through the announcers desk, hit his second ‘Go-To-Sleep’, and pinned Breakker one two three.
I expected something more to happen, maybe a return from Seth Rollins, or another unexpected return, but nonetheless Punk remains at the top of the mountain, and fans have no idea what’s next. Sure, Breakker may be set back a little, but I am not worried about him in the slightest. Anytime Punk is champion though, you can’t be upset with it. WWE fans have high expectations for big episodes like this, but it was a great one without anything game-changing happening, especially to start the new year.
We have to be satisfied with the simple things sometimes, because I am certain, throughout this year, we will see much Stranger Things.
Category: General Sports
