The worlds of supernatural horror and high-octane sports entertainment spectacularly collided as WWE Raw welcomed 2026 with a blockbuster Stranger Things-themed episode. This special broadcast, streaming on Netflix on Tuesday morning in India, celebrated the one-year anniversary of WWE Raw's exclusive move to the streaming giant, while also riding the massive wave of excitement from the epic finale of Netflix's beloved series, Stranger Things, which concluded on December 31.
A Hawkins-Injected Night of Mayhem in Brooklyn
The episode, guaranteed to be monumental with three title matches on the card, was elevated to another dimension by infusing the eerie, neon-drenched aesthetic of the Upside Down. The wrestling ring itself was transformed with visuals inspired by the parallel dimension, featuring glowing portals and atmospheric lighting that brought a piece of Hawkins, Indiana, to Brooklyn. Netflix showcased this unique setup in a video on its social media, which quickly amassed over 265,000 views and ignited a frenzy of crossover memes and excited comments from fans.
Viewers were thrilled by the unexpected mashup, flooding the comment section with praise. Reactions ranged from simple exclamations like "Wow, that's so cool" and "Stranger Things and Raw, wow!" to more detailed appreciation, with one fan noting, "Such a unique crossover - never thought I would see a ST / WWE crossover." The general consensus described the event as amazing, cool, and epic.
Key Matches and Major Moments from WWE Stranger Raw
Beyond the thematic spectacle, the night was packed with significant in-ring action and storyline developments. The anniversary episode saw its share of drama and new beginnings.
WWE Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer suffered an injury following a brutal attack by Raquel Rodriguez. In a major roster move, Je'Von Evans officially signed with the Raw brand. Furthermore, a huge match was set for the following week when Gunther was clocked by AJ Styles, prompting a showdown scheduled for the next episode in Germany.
The official match results for the January 5 episode were:
- CM Punk defeated Bron Breakker to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
- Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky defeated the Kabuki Warriors to capture the Women’s Tag Team Championship.
- Liv Morgan defeated Lyra Valkyria.
- Becky Lynch defeated Maxxine Dupri to win the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
When and Where to Watch the Next Episode
The action continues next week with a special international episode. Fans can catch WWE Raw live from Germany on Monday, January 12, at a special start time of 11 AM PT. For viewers in India, the episode will be available via live-stream on Tuesday, January 13, at 12:30 AM.
This innovative crossover event proves that the cultural impact of Stranger Things continues to resonate, finding a unique and explosive home in the world of WWE, much to the delight of fans of both franchises.
