The first WWE Raw of 2026 is gearing up to be one of the biggest and most important nights of the new year for the company.
On January 5, WWE returns to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the event and already announced two huge title bouts for the show.
With these bouts scheduled, WWE might want to add some surprises in the form of debuts to give some young stars on the roster a proper introduction on the one year anniversary of their move to Netflix.
Here are eight potential debuts at the first WWE Raw of 2026.
8. Joe Hendry
In 2025, Joe Hendry took WWE by storm as the TNA World Champion making his debut in the Men’s Royal Rumble Match and WrestleMania 41, while also making a surprise appearance at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event – John Cena’s Final Match.
The former TNA World Champion has since officially signed with WWE towards the tailend of 2025 and is now part of the NXT brand.
There were rumors earlier this year that Hendry was scheduled to make his Monday Night Raw debut in his home country of Scotland.
Now months later, fans could see Hendry finally showing up on WWE Raw for the January 5, 2026 episode from Brooklyn, New York.
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7. Leon Slater
On the December 16 episode of WWE NXT, Leon Slater defeated Myles Borne, Joe Hendry and Dion Lennox to become the number one contender for the NXT Championship.
The current TNA X-Division Champion has been featured on WWE television despite being contracted by TNA Wrestling.
“The Youngest In Charge” has become extremely popular and looks destined to leave TNA to eventually sign with WWE.
Considering his exciting in-ring style and connection with the fans, Slater might be someone that WWE wants to highlight and showcase on the first Raw of 2026.
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6. Lola Vice
Since signing with WWE in 2022, Lola Vice has used her MMA background to become a popular star on the NXT brand.
With her striking ability and charisma, Vice has been a standout from the NXT women’s division.
Considering everything she has accomplished in the past three years, Vice could be someone that would be a wonderful addition to the main roster right now.
Lola Vice could align with her former friend in NXT, Stephanie Vaquer to help her continue her WWE Women’s World Championship reign after her debut on the first Raw of the new year.
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5. Sol Ruca & ZARIA
At the December 13 edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sol Ruca defeated Bayley in singles action.
Easily viewed as the biggest win of her young career, Ruca will use this momentum to challenge Chelsea Green for the WWE Women’s United States Championship that is scheduled for the December 23 episode of NXT.
Ruca and her partnership with ZARIA has been a focus on NXT TV and could be easily translated to the main roster if both ladies are called up.
After their success on NXT and memorable appearances on the main roster, it would make sense for Sol and ZARIA to get called up and make their debut on the first WWE Raw on January 5, 2026 to enter the Women’s Tag Team Title picture.
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4. Blake Monroe
On the December 16 edition of WWE NXT, Thea Hail defeated Blake Monroe to win the NXT Women’s North American Championship.
Using the momentum that she gained during her time in AEW, Monroe has become one of the top stars in the NXT women’s division.
While the finish was seemingly not planned to go the way it did, the former Mariah May losing her gold so soon after winning it could potentially lead to an early main roster call-up.
Knowing she has the experience to be featured on WWE TV, Monroe getting called up and making her debut on the first Raw of 2026 would be very interesting to see her mix it up with the main roster talent.
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3. Trick Williams
There is no denying that Trick Williams has had one of the most fascinating journeys in the history of WWE NXT.
The two-time NXT Champion is one of the most charismatic stars to ever reach the top of the brand.
After sitting atop of NXT for the past four years, it really feels like Williams is more than ready for the next level of his career.
With nothing holding him back in NXT, the first Raw of 2026 could be the perfect setting for Trick Williams to officially move up to the main roster to stay.
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2. Jacy Jayne
2025 has been a huge year for Jacy Jayne, going from one of the most underrated stars in NXT to the top of the entire women’s division.
Now reigning as a two-time NXT Women’s Champion, it feels like Jayne might be in line for a main roster callup.
With Fatal Influence by her side, Jayne has shown enough poise to be positioned as a major star for the WWE women’s division for years to come.
After her successful runs with the NXT Women’s Championship, fans might be ready to see if Jayne and Fatal Influence could stand toe-to-toe with the main roster stars.
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1. Oba Femi
At the December 13 edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, Cody Rhodes vs. Oba Femi went to a no contest after outside interference from Drew McIntyre.
“The Ruler” has showcased himself as a main event talent in the waiting with the presence comparable to that of Brock Lesnar and Goldberg.
After the dominant run on the NXT brand, Femi is more than ready to make the jump to either Raw or SmackDown.
Having every tool to become a future WrestleMania headliner, Oba Femi could start his march to the top of WWE by making his official main roster debut on the January 5, 2026 edition of Monday Night Raw.
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