The January 5, 2026, episode of Monday Night Raw ended with CM Punk successfully retaining the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker. He came out to an electric crowd on the January 12 Raw and talked about how he was a fighting champion. His next opponent would come walking out, and it was a surprise to many people. Out walked Finn Bálor, wanting his chance at the title.
He said Punk mentioned him as someone he would like to fight. Punk agreed, but wondered why, at that moment, he came to him. He said he was too busy babysitting Judgment Day to step up, and that he only wanted to fight him, not them. Bálor wanted a title match in Belfast, Ireland, the next week with only him involved, and Punk agreed. Is this a mistake, or can Bálor actually win gold once again?
Things are heating up! 😲
Are we getting @CMPunk vs @FinnBalor in Belfast, Ireland NEXT WEEK for the World Heavyweight Championship? pic.twitter.com/c1sNm1263m
— WWE (@WWE) January 12, 2026
Bálor Has the Hometown Advantage This Time
During their tense exchange, Bálor mentioned something about Punk that is obviously true about his career. He said he always has an advantage in Chicago, where he was born and raised. That’s something that has been true for years. Whether it’s at the United Center or the Allstate Arena, or in WWE or in AEW, the fans have always shown up for him. They chant his name, wear his merchandise, and make him feel welcome.
But next week, those same principles will apply to Bálor. He will be the hometown hero, the guy that gets the chants and the merch sales for that particular show. The fans will be his technical Judgment Day, as they’ll help him through their cheerfulness. He won’t need them because the fans will be all he needs. Bálor can definitely pull off the upset in his hometown with fans’ encouragement.
A Win Can Finally Produce a Payoff for Judgment Day Tension
For over a year now, the various members of the Judgment Day have been having disagreements with each other over many things. Fans have been begging for some change in the group and some payoff to their infighting in the form of one or more of them leaving. Many people think it’s going to be Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan, but Bálor leaving makes sense if he wins the title.
Bálor has grown frustrated with their antics in the past several months, but still sticks around. If he wins next week, there’s a legitimate reason for him to leave the Judgment Day. He said it himself that he doesn’t need them to win. Perhaps he meant that in the context of the match, but he could’ve also meant that in general. If that statement is true, and if he wins, he could leave his friends behind for good.
Things Will Definitely Change if He Wins
Bálor becoming the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion will definitely shake things up on the Road to WrestleMania. A win would make Punk’s reign as champion incredibly short, which is something that he probably doesn’t want to actually happen. It would also be a tremendous moment in his career, as he would win the belt in his hometown and home country. That would be a celebratory occasion for all involved.
But a win could also help the Judgment Day break from multiple months of stagnation. They have been having issues with each other for over a year. Sooner or later, things will probably get worse for them. The catalyst, being Bálor winning the World Heavyweight title, would make sense. He told Punk that he doesn’t need them to win. If he pulls off the upset next week, there’s a good chance he’ll break away from the faction.
“Some weeks I swear you’re just shining Liv Morgan’s shoes” 👀@CMPunk is not holding back on @FinnBalor! pic.twitter.com/BG2Somdeee
— WWE (@WWE) January 12, 2026
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