With at least one major bout already known for the first episode of WWE Raw in 2026, there could be some fun surprises sprinkled throughout as well.
Set to kick off their second year on Netflix on January 5, there could be some major surprises coming to the first edition of the show in 2026.
Here are six potential surprises at the first WWE Raw of 2026.
6. Chris Jericho Returns
While some fans expect that the big return of Chris Jericho to WWE could end up being delayed until later in the month at the Royal Rumble, it might make sense to subvert expectations and see Jericho arrive on the first WWE Raw of 2026 instead.
Having been out of action in AEW since early April, Jericho’s next moves have been carefully watched and hotly debated as it seems he may be on the verge of re-signing with WWE.
Definitely a character that will make a major impact in the event he does return to the WWE roster, it will be fascinating to see what iteration of the legendary star pops up next.
With the first ever Royal Rumble in Riyadh set for January 31, 2026 — if Jericho doesn’t make a return at the first WWE Raw of the the year — he very well could pop-up in the Rumble instead.
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5. Mystery Man Revealed
With the masked mystery man still on the loose (at the time of writing at least) — it could be that the big reveal of his identity is saved until the new year.
Able to elongate the mystery and bring even more suspects into the picture, it could be that on January 5, the mystery man will be revealed.
With an already growing list of suspects, it remains difficult to guess who will be revealed as the character behind the mask, considering WWE seem to be using different men in the role to keep fans guessing.
Potentially getting involved with The Vision again or something else entirely, it will be fascinating to see how this WWE mystery unfolds.
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4. Bianca Belair Returns
Out of action since WrestleMania 41 due to a hand injury, Bianca Belair could be making a return to WWE in the near future.
With her injury ending up being more complex than initially thought, her time away from in-ring action has been longer than first expected.
But now as the roster looks ahead to the Road to WrestleMania, it would make sense to see the EST of WWE back into the fold.
While Belair could return to WWE Raw, there is also seemingly some unfinished business for Belair on SmackDown in the form of Jade Cargill — potentially meaning her big return could come several days later on the blue brand instead.
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3. Betrayals In The Women’s Tag Team Division
It would seem that heading into WrestleMania 42, there may be shifts coming soon to the many teams jockeying for position in the WWE women’s tag team division.
At present there are many top teams going after the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles, but it seems like something may have to give for at least one of them.
Whether it be Alexa Bliss or Charlotte Flair turning on one another, or perhaps The Judgment Day’s Liv Morgan, Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez – it seems as if there could be at least one casualty.
There’s also Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY, who while close friends do also have some unfinished business against one another from earlier this year.
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2. Return Of Matt & Jeff Hardy
With conflict on a recent episode of WWE Raw between the reunited Usos and The New Day, it certainly seems that the pair of legendary teams could be set to run their feud back in 2026.
Possibly joining the field of teams that could be in the hunt for not just the WWE World Tag Team Championship, but also the designation as the best WWE tag team of all time, could be a duo that hasn’t been seen signed to the company for many years: The Hardy Boyz.
With a potential surprise interference in a World Tag Team Title match, Matt & Jeff Hardy could kick off one final run in WWE before wrapping up their careers.
This could then potentially lead to a three-way between The Hardys, The Usos & New Day – a match that has WrestleMania 42 written all over it.
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1. Mystery Man Costs Bron Breakker WWE World Heavyweight Championship
There is already one bout set for the first WWE Raw of 2026 — CM Punk defending the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker.
While there are still some weeks to come before the episode, an interference from any number of sources could derail Breakker’s quest to win the title.
Potentially being attacked by other contenders for the Championship like Brock Lesnar or LA Knight, it could also be that the masked mystery man subverts expectations and attacks Breakker rather than helping him.
Preventing Bron Breakker from capturing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship could be another fascinating layer to this complicated mystery, and lead into Seth Rollins’ eventual return.
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