Gunther Opens WWE Raw in Belfast as CM Punk, Becky Lynch, and Finn Balor Set for High-Stakes Night
WWE Raw heads overseas this Monday, and the January 19 episode is shaping up to be one of the most loaded shows of the year. Live from the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland, WWE has stacked the card with major championship matches, international star power, and a must-see opening segment featuring one of the most dominant champions in modern history.
General Manager Adam Pearce confirmed that Gunther will kick off Raw at the special start time of 3 p.m. ET on Netflix. Fresh off his hard-hitting victory over AJ Styles, “The Ring General” is expected to address the WWE Universe—and when Gunther speaks, the ripple effects are usually felt across the entire roster.
The show also continues to spotlight rising talent. After an impressive win last week, 21-year-old Je’Von Evans is back in action, this time against El Grande Americano. With momentum on his side, another standout performance could push Evans further into Raw’s spotlight.
In tag team action, chaos is guaranteed as Rey Mysterio teams with Penta and Dragon Lee to face Bronson Reed, Austin Theory, and Logan Paul, with Paul Heyman lurking at ringside. Even without the suspended Bron Breakker, this clash has all the ingredients for an explosive showdown.
Championship gold will be on the line twice, and Belfast will have a front-row seat to history. Becky Lynch, one of Ireland’s greatest WWE exports, defends the Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Maxxine Dupri. After reclaiming the title earlier this month under controversial circumstances, Lynch now looks to end the rivalry once and for all on home soil.
The night’s main event raises the stakes even higher. CM Punk puts the World Heavyweight Championship on the line against Finn Balor, who is chasing his first reign with the title. With renewed focus heading into 2026, Balor sees this as his defining moment—while Punk looks to prove he’s still untouchable on Raw’s biggest stages.
With Gunther opening the show, two major title defenses, and international energy fueling the crowd, WWE Raw from Belfast is shaping up to be unmissable.
