Attending WWE Raw live in Brooklyn always comes with a certain electricity, but this episode at Barclays Center had a little extra juice. Marketed as a Stranger Things themed night tied to Netflix, the show delivered a slick visual presentation, several standout matches, and one press suite experience that reminded us why live coverage still matters.
This was very much a hybrid night. It worked as an in-arena experience first, while still giving viewers at home a solid episode of Raw packed with meaningful moments.
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky Steal the Show
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match was the clear early highlight. Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky defeated The Kabuki Warriors in a thrilling, high-energy bout that had the crowd locked in from start to finish.
The Kabuki Warriors put up a relentless defense, but Mami was not going to be denied. What stood out most was the growing chemistry between Ripley and Sky. It feels natural, confident, and dangerous in the best way. Their timing is clicking, and the crowd responded to every near fall. This easily landed as a match of the night contender and set a high bar for the rest of the show.
Gunther Turns Heat Into Momentum
Gunther followed with an incredible promo that continued his slow-burn rebuild since returning. I have had mixed feelings about how WWE has handled him lately, and yes, John Cena tapping out to Gunther still stings a bit. That said, the heat Gunther is generating right now is undeniable.
By leaning into fan frustration and trolling the crowd, Gunther pulled real emotion out of the building. That energy brought out AJ Styles, which immediately raised the stakes. Considering Styles’ excellent match with Cena during the retirement tour, this faceoff felt earned. Their clash next week suddenly feels must-see.
Becky Lynch vs Maxxine Dupri Raises Questions
The Intercontinental Title match between Becky Lynch and Maxxine Dupri was surprisingly fun and far more competitive than some expected.
The crowd was into it, the action was sharp, and the finish stood out. Becky using the ropes for leverage to secure the win adds an interesting wrinkle. It begs the question of whether Becky can still beat Dupri cleanly. WWE clearly wants that question hanging in the air, and it works. This does not feel like the end of their story, just another chapter.
The Usos Are Back and Looking for Smoke
When The Usos hit the ring, Barclays Center woke up even more. Jey and Jimmy cut a passionate promo announcing their return to dominance and had the crowd yeeting right along with them.
The big question is who steps up. Personally, I am still quietly hoping for a clash with The Hardy Boyz, especially given their current multi-promotion championship run. That matchup would be pure chaos in the best way.
Stephanie Vaquer and a Brutal Statement
Stephanie Vaquer, the WWE Women’s World Champion, delivered one of the more intriguing segments of the night. Limping to the ring, it briefly felt like she might be relinquishing the title. Instead, she cut a promo largely in Spanish, reflecting on her success before openly inviting challengers.
That invitation was answered violently by Raquel Rodriguez, who delivered a brutal beatdown both in the ring and backstage. Rodriguez came across as legitimately terrifying, and while the promo itself leaned a bit generic, the attack absolutely landed. This was a strong angle that immediately elevated their feud.
Liv Morgan Shines in Her Return
The match between Lyra Valkyria and Liv Morgan was another pleasant surprise. Morgan looked fantastic in her return, and I will admit something that might get me flack.
I genuinely do not know how she performs at this level with that much hair flying everywhere, including her face. She was hitting moves that looked impossible to pull off with limited visibility, and yet everything connected. It was great seeing her back, flashing a little Latino heat in the absence of Dominik, and reminding everyone why she remains a fan favorite.
CM Punk vs Bron Breakker Delivers Drama
The main event between CM Punk and Bron Breakker was an absolute banger.
There were multiple moments where it genuinely felt like Breakker might walk out with the title. His Gut Buster, reminiscent of Punk’s GTS, was a great touch, and for large stretches he looked sharper and faster in the ring. Punk remains an excellent storyteller, but you can see age starting to catch up with him.
That said, the drama was real. Breakker’s top-rope Frankensteiner, Punk’s GTS, and then Breakker kicking out had the building buzzing. Punk ultimately retained, showing he can still deliver at a high level, while Breakker looked like a future world champion in the making.
Stranger Things Visuals Without the Full Immersion
The Stranger Things tie-in was the only element that felt slightly undercooked. Visually, it worked. The ring design and presentation looked great and added atmosphere without distracting from the action.
Storytelling-wise, though, it never fully committed. No themed gear, no music changes, no cast appearances. It felt like a visual win with minimal narrative integration, at least from a live event perspective. Not a negative, just a missed opportunity to go a bit further.
A Press Suite Moment Worth Highlighting
One of the coolest distractions of the night came courtesy of Netflix, who arranged for WWE Superstars to stop by the press suite during the show. We had the chance to hang out and chat with Penta, Rey Mysterio, and Rey Fenix while watching the matches.
Later, the night delivered again with Je’Von Evans stopping by as well. Moments like that reinforce why in-person coverage matters and why The Movie Blog continues to be present in these industry spaces.
Final Thoughts
This was a strong episode of Raw with standout matches, meaningful character work, and a crowd that brought the energy all night. The Stranger Things branding added style and atmosphere but the wrestling more than carried the show. Brooklyn showed up, the talent delivered, and Raw walked away with momentum heading into next week.
If this is the standard for Netflix-era WWE events, we are in for a very interesting ride.
