HIGHLIGHTS
- Two championship matches are confirmed for Raw in Belfast.
- A former world champion is getting a title shot in front of his home country crowd.
- Several superstars could declare for the Royal Rumble after Monday’s show.
Finn Balor called his shot and Monday, in Belfast, Ireland, he’s going to get his chance to put on a show.
The upcoming episode of Raw should go a long way toward carving out some of the Royal Rumble field, perhaps adding a fourth and final match to the Saturday Night’s Main Event card on January 24, and more.
What Matches Are Confirmed for Raw in Belfast?
WWE is branding the January 19 episode simply as Raw from Belfast, Northern Ireland, airing live from the SSE Arena. The broadcast will be streaming on Netflix at 3 p.m. ET.
The following matches are officially announced:
World Heavyweight Championship Match
CM Punk (c) vs. Finn Balor
Balor called Punk out on last week’s episode of Raw, which was the following week after the latter’s title retention over Bron Breakker and insisted on a title shot. Punk wanted to face Balor in Dusseldorf, but Balor was looking for more home-field advantage in Belfast.
Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Maxxine Dupri
This feud has seemingly run its course. Still, we’re getting a rematch after Lynch took the title from Dupri on the first Raw of 2026. The pop for Lynch is Belfast should be significant.
Who From Raw Is Likely to Declare for the Royal Rumble?
Officially, the first and so far only confirmed Rumble entrant is Cody Rhodes, who announced his entry on SmackDown, but several Raw names are expected to join him on TV between now and January 31.
From the Raw side in Belfast, the likeliest declaration candidates are:
Finn Balor – If Balor loses in front of the home crowd, the most logical story beat is him immediately declaring for the Rumble to chase another path back to the world title. I expect that could happen on the January 26th episode of Raw.
Maxxine Dupri – Much like Balor, if she fails to regain the Women’s Intercontinental Title, a Rumble declaration keeps her relevant and fits the pattern of mid-card heels seeking redemption through the match.
Raw Belfast is built around two title matches, and whoever leaves without gold—especially Balor and Dupri—are the most likely names to step up to a mic on Netflix and declare for the Royal Rumble, joining Rhodes in the field heading to Riyadh.
Let’s be honest, I’m not expecting Balor to win. It’s not likely time for Punk to drop the World Heavyweight Championship on an episode of Raw.
I’m convinced that’ll come at the hands of Bron Breakker at WrestleMania or SummerSlam. Even still, Balor seems to be in line for a push. Let’s hope it all begins with a major showing that could lead to a face turn.
