CM Punk retains belt in epic showdown with Bron Breakker

Bron Breakker walked into the first episode of WWE Raw of 2026 with unstoppable momentum, but he walked out still chasing his first world championship. In the night’s main event, World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk retained his title, surviving Breakker in a chaotic and hard-hitting showdown.

The episode featured three championship matches, with titles changing hands in two of them. Becky Lynch reclaimed gold by defeating Maxxine Dupri for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, while Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky captured the Women’s Tag Team Championships from The Kabuki Warriors. Breakker, however, was unable to complete his rise despite help from every corner.

CM Punk Retains the World Heavyweight Championship

World Heavyweight ChampionshipCM Punk (c) def. Bron Breakker via pinfall

Breakker confidently promised to defeat Punk on his own, but that confidence cracked as interference from The Vision dominated much of the match. Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory all attempted to tilt the odds in Breakker’s favor before being chased off by Rey Mysterio, Penta, and Dragon Lee.

Paul Heyman also tried to play a role, repeatedly distracting Punk until the champion finally struck Heyman with a right hand. The match escalated with a series of near falls, but Punk ultimately countered Breakker’s spear with a knee and followed up with a decisive Go To Sleep to score the pinfall victory.

WWE’s decision to keep the championship on Punk appears intentional. Punk’s reign is still developing, and Breakker’s failure especially with backup adds an intriguing layer to his character. The subtle suggestion that Breakker may not be as confident as he claims opens the door for a deeper, more compelling story moving forward.

Ripley and Sky Capture Tag Team Gold

Women’s Tag Team ChampionshipRhea Ripley & Iyo Sky def. Asuka & Kairi Sane (c)

Ripley and Sky dethroned The Kabuki Warriors in dominant fashion. Ripley planted Asuka with a Riptide, allowing Sky to finish the match with an Over the Moonsault to secure the pinfall and the championships.

Becky Lynch Reclaims the Women’s Intercontinental Title

Women’s Intercontinental ChampionshipBecky Lynch def. Maxxine Dupri (c)

Maxxine Dupri nearly retained her title with a tight ankle lock, but Lynch countered by bridging into a pinning combination while grabbing the bottom rope for leverage. The crafty maneuver allowed Lynch to regain the championship in controversial fashion.

Gunther and AJ Styles Set on a Collision Course

AJ Styles confronted Gunther during a promo in which Gunther once again bragged about making John Cena tap out. Styles slapped Gunther across the face, but Gunther refused to retaliate. Styles taunted him and left the ring, prompting Gunther to demand a match next week.

Other Notable Moments

• Raquel Rodriguez viciously attacked Stephanie Vaquer following an interview, targeting Vaquer’s injured foot and continuing the assault backstage.

• Liv Morgan defeated Lyra Valkyria after hitting Oblivion, capitalizing on a distraction caused when Bayley chased Roxanne Perez away with a steel chair.