Championship Shifts and the Rise of RhIYO
The evening kicked off with immediate fireworks as the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships were on the line. The Kabuki Warriors, Asuka and Kairi Sane, defended their titles against the powerhouse duo of Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky, now affectionately known by the WWE Universe as RhIYO.
The match was a masterclass in tag team psychology. Ripley used her sheer strength to isolate Kairi Sane early on, but the technical prowess of the champions allowed them to regain control. The momentum shifted permanently when Iyo Sky executed a spectacular suicide dive to the outside, wiping out Sane. Inside the ring, Ripley delivered a devastating Riptide to Asuka, followed immediately by an Over the Moonsault from Sky. Ripley secured the pinfall, marking a new era for the women’s tag division.
Becky Lynch Reclaims the Intercontinental Title
One of the most emotional storylines of 2025 culminated in Brooklyn as Becky Lynch challenged the underdog champion, Maxxine Dupri, for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Dupri, who had shocked the world by defeating Lynch for the title months prior, showed incredible growth, locking "The Man" in multiple ankle lock attempts that nearly forced a submission.
However, the veteran experience of Lynch proved to be the deciding factor. In a finish that sparked debate among fans, Becky countered a powerbomb attempt into a roll up, using the ropes for leverage while the referee’s view was obstructed. The three count followed, making Becky Lynch the first ever two time Women’s Intercontinental Champion. While the win was controversial, it solidified Lynch’s "by any means necessary" attitude heading into the new year.
The Return of Liv Morgan and the Signing of Je’Von Evans
The Netflix anniversary also served as a homecoming for Liv Morgan, who competed in her first singles match in over six months following an injury hiatus. Facing the formidable Lyra Valkyria, Morgan looked sharper than ever. Despite interference from Roxanne Perez at ringside, which drew out Bayley for a chaotic brawl, Morgan remained focused. She connected with Oblivion to secure a statement victory, signaling her intent to reclaim her spot at the top of the division.
In a move that caught the social media world by surprise, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce officially announced the signing of NXT breakout star Je’Von Evans to the Raw roster. The announcement, which took place during a digital exclusive segment, confirms that the "Young OG" will be a permanent fixture on Monday nights moving forward.
CM Punk Survives the Vision in Main Event Thriller
The main event of the evening saw CM Punk defend the World Heavyweight Championship against the explosive Bron Breakker. This was Breakker’s biggest test to date, and he brought the fight to the champion with a series of high impact spears and overhead belly to belly suplexes.
The match took a turn for the "strange" when the lights flickered, leaning into the Stranger Things theme, and members of The Vision (Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and Bronson Reed) attempted to swarm the ring. Just as it looked like the numbers game would cost Punk his title, backup arrived in the form of Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, and the debuting Penta El Zero M.
With the outside chaos neutralized, Breakker looked to finish Punk with a final spear. However, Punk’s veteran instincts took over. He caught Breakker mid air with a knee strike and followed up with a thunderous Go To Sleep. The champion covered the challenger for the three count, retaining his title in a 26 minute classic that cemented his status as the king of the Netflix era.
