By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw (Episode 1,709)
Atlanta, Georgia, at State Farm Arena
Streamed live February 23, 2026, on Netflix
[Hour One] The broadcast team duo of Michael Cole and Corey Graves stood in the ring for the AJ Styles tribute, when Gunther interrupted them. Gunther walked out via the main floor and told them to leave this ring.
Gunther entered the ring and said the fans were there to celebrate a loser. He called Styles, Goldberg, and John Cena losers and boasted that he ended their careers. Gunther said the show was actually a celebration of him.
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce walked out and said that was enough. A group of security guards and producer Shane Helms followed Pearce, who said he knew Gunther would try something. Pearce insisted that Gunther leave so they could pay tribute to Styles. Gunther opted to leave the ring and was escorted to the stage by Pearce. Gunther stopped and turned back toward the fans and raised his arms.
Dragon Lee came out and attacked Gunther, but they were quickly pulled apart. A camera followed Gunther as he and Pearce headed backstage. Lee showed up and attacked Gunther again. Lee was pulled away by security. Pearce asked Gunther if he was happy, and then told him that it was not his night.
Cody Rhodes approached Gunther before making his entrance while ring announcer Alicia Taylor introduced him. Cole referred to Cody as “Atlanta’s own.” Cody asked the fans what they wanted to talk about, and then said he wanted to talk about AJ Styles.
The Vision entrance theme interrupted Cody. Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and Paul Heyman walked onto the stage. Theory said he’s ashamed to be from Atlanta. Logan played up the idea of Bronson Reed winning the men’s Elimination Chamber match. Cody said he knew someone who might have something to say about that.
Jey Uso made his entrance through the crowd with his brother Jimmy Uso. The duo joined Cody inside the ring before the first commercial break… [C]
The Original El Grande Americano made his entrance for the Elimination Chamber qualifier. Cole said the show was sold out with over 12,000 in attendance…
Powell’s POV: A solid opening segment that featured a lot of star power while also setting up the AJ Styles tribute and the opening match. An hour before showtime, WrestleTix listed the venue as being set up for 11,933 with 11,722 tickets distributed. State Farm Arena holds up to 17,044 for basketball, and can be expanded to 21,000 for concerts.
1. Bronson Reed vs. Jey Uso vs. The Original El Grande Americano in a Triple Threat qualifier for the men’s Elimination Chamber match. A broadcast team graphic listed Byron Saxton and Cathy Kelley as the backstage interviewers (Jackie Redmond is off after covering Winter Olympics hockey for Eurosport). Americano (Chad Gable) performed an early moonsault onto both opponents on the floor. [C]
Americano put Jey down with a German suplex. Americano followed up with a top rope headbutt on Jey, who was near the ropes on the other side of the ring. The announcers said Americano didn’t appear to make much contact, yet came up shaking his own head. Americano regrouped before executing a German suplex on Reed, and then he bridged while getting a two count. [C]
Footage aired from during the commercial break of Reed breaking up Americano pinning Jey. Reed stood up and looked at his right arm. A trainer was shown tending to Reed on the floor. Jey performed a suicide dive on Americano. The referee spoke with both men separately.
Jey and Americano returned to the ring and ended up fighting for position on the top rope. Jey shoved Americano to the mat and went for the Uso Splash, but Americano put his knees up and hooked him into a pin for a near fall. Americano applied the ankle lock. Jey eventually rolled out of the hold.
Jey superkicked Americano, who came right back with a rolling kick. Jey speared Americano, and then went up top and hit the Uso Splash before getting the three count…
Jey Uso defeated El Grande Americano and Bronson Reed in 15:30 to qualify for the men’s Elimination Chamber match.
Powell’s POV: I hope Jey didn’t have any plans for Saturday night if the original plan wasn’t for him to win the match. I’m not sure what happened to Reed, but he never returned, so it doesn’t look good. Brace yourselves for people claiming the Vision is cursed now that the first three wrestlers who formed the faction are injured.
Highlights aired of AJ Styles making his WWE debut in the 2016 Royal Rumble match…
Backstage, Bobby Roode was shown talking with Shinsuke Nakamura while Cole acknowledged their history with Styles…
A NASCAR was shown arriving in the parking lot and whipping a shitty. Tyler Reddick drove the car, and his passenger was World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk…
Liv Morgan and Intercontinental Champion and AAA Mega Champion Dominik Mysterio made their entrance. Morgan looked rattled… [C] Footage aired of the translated version of Stephanie Vaquer tearing into Morgan during last week’s backstage interview segment…
Dom stood with Morgan and said it was time. He called for Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer to come out and then introduced WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill. Both champions joined Morgan and Dom inside the ring.
Morgan recalled what Vaquer said to her and said she didn’t know much about Vaquer’s story of scratching and clawing for ten years just to get to WWE. Morgan apologized for judging Vaquer and said she was sorry for judging her.
Morgan said now she needed to focus on her story. Morgan turned toward Jade and then approached her. Morgan turned and slammed the microphone on Vaquer’s head. Jade left the ring while Morgan worked over Vaquer.
Morgan capped off the attack by hitting her Oblivion finisher. Morgan held up the Women’s World Championship belt while standing over Vaquer. Cole said Morgan will challenge Vaquer for the title at WrestleMania 42, which means the winner of the Elimination Chamber match will challenge Jade for the WWE Women’s Championship. Liv was all smiles as she left the ring with Dom…
Backstage, Byron Saxton asked Je’Von Evans how he felt heading into the biggest moment of his career. Evans got excited when he spotted someone off-camera. Rapper Offset entered the picture and shook hands with Evans.
Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Grayson Waller showed up while Saxton made his exit. Woods, who had his right arm in a sling, took issue with there being a tribute show for someone other than him in his hometown of Atlanta.
Kingston said they invited Offset to Raw for years, but he always said no. “You know, they say New Day sucks,” Offset said. Evans and Kingston jawed at one another. Kingston said Evans could never
Graves thanked Offset, JID, Drowning Pool, and BNYX for the “Bodies” theme song used for Elimination Chamber… Cole ran through the schedule for Elimination Chamber with a start time of 6CT/7ET, a two-hour countdown special, and a post-show…
[Hour Two] Highlights aired of AJ Styles beating Jinder Mahal to win the WWE Championship on a 2017 edition of Smackdown…
Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and Michin were talking backstage. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows showed up and they all had handshakes and hugs…
2. Nattie vs. Maxxine Dupri. Nattie’s entrance was not televised. The match spilled over to the floor. Dupri ran Nattie into the barricade. Nattie kicked Dupri, who stumbled into the ring post. Dupri acted like she was out cold. Nattie attacked her anyway. The referee stepped in and checked on Dupri. Nattie attacked her again and threw punches until the referee pulled her away.
Nattie beat Maxxine Dupri in 1:15 via ref stoppage.
Alicia Taylor announced the ref stoppage finish. Nattie laughed while looking down at Dupri. Trainers ran out and tended to Dupri while a smiling Nattie was moved toward the stage…
Powell’s POV: I get what they were going for, but the finish was rough, especially with the legitimate Bronson Reed injury occurring during the opening match.
Inside the Judgment Day clubhouse, Liv Morgan was all smiles while seated next to Dominik Mysterio as she spoke with Raquel Rodriguez. JD McDonagh apologized to Finn Balor for being a hothead the week before. He said Balor is like his brother, and he just wants to see him become the world champion. Balor said brothers fight, and it was water under the bridge. Balor said he had to do it alone at Elimination Chamber.
Dominik Mysterio stepped up and said he doesn’t want to do it on his own. He asked if he could count on Balor and McDonagh when he defends his title against Penta next week. Balor sarcastically apologized while saying he had been focusing on the biggest match of his career. He told Dom he did things on his own while Dom and McDonagh were hurt. He told Dom it’s time to take responsibility and grow up…
Powell’s POV: I’ve expected Judgment Day to implode about 7,000 times before, but this time it might actually happen, given the friction between Balor and Dom, who would make fun WrestleMania opponents.
The broadcast team spoke about Balor challenging CM Punk at the Elimination Chamber event, then shifted their focus to Conor Benn signing to fight on a Zuffa Boxing card…
Cole said Brock Lesnar would appear after a break… [C] NASCAR driver Tyler Reddick was shown in the crowd with a title belt over his shoulder. Rappers 2 Chainz and Lil Yachty were shown in separate locations in the crowd…
An Oba Femi highlight video aired…
Backstage, Adam Pearce asked a crew member why the mystery crate was there. She told him that Nick Alis had her bring it to Raw. Pearce told her to put the crate on the truck headed for Chicago. Pearce said he and Nick Aldis would open it together on Saturday.
Rusev showed up and told Pearce that they needed to talk. Pearce said they would, but he had a meeting. Rusev asked if there was someone more important than him. “Yes, there is,” someone off-camera said.
Oba Femi entered the picture. Rusev said Oba talks too much for a rookie. Oba told Rusev to shut him up. They jawed at one another while Pearce stepped in and said the night was for AJ Styles. He asked them to do this another time. They were tense, but they agreed…
Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman made their entrance. Heyman introduced himself as Lesnar’s advocate. Heyman said it was time for a history lesson. He said there traditionally were two WrestleMania main events – the title match and the Undertaker’s Streak.
Heyman reminded fans that Lesnar ended the undefeated streak and said the main event spot went to Lesnar. He said the only dead man left in WWE is the one who comes down the aisle to face Lesnar. Heyman played up the question of who would fight Lesnar at WrestleMania. He said he didn’t have a prediction or a spoiler because there wasn’t anyone man enough to step up and take the ass-whooping of Biblical proportions.
Heyman had Lesnar’s schedule leading into WrestleMania listed on the big screen: March 16 in San Antonio, March 23 in Boston, March 30 in New York City, April 6 in Houston, and April 13 in Sacramento. Heyman said any man willing to go down in history by taking the worst victimization possible in front of a global audience at WrestleMania just needed to get in his face.
Heyman said he didn’t think anyone would step up to answer Lesnar’s open challenge for WrestleMania. Heyman said you could have all the title matches you want, but the real main event is whoever takes the ass-whooping from Lesnar. Heyman said no one has the balls, and then tossed the mic aside…
Powell’s POV: There were a lot of fan calls for “Oba” at one point. I assume they won’t have Lesnar’s opponent wait until WrestleMania to step forward simply because of how many dates they are advertising Lesnar for. Granted, if anyone could pull it off it’s Heyman, but that would be a lot of promo time dedicated to talking shit about how great Lesnar is and how no one wants to face him.
A Becky Lynch promo video aired. She said AJ Lee doesn’t deserve to hold the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Lynch said she deserves to retire Lee in her hometown of Chicago… [C]
Je’Von Evans and Offset made their entrance for Evans’ match against Kofi Kingston… [C] Cole ran through the WWE podcast lineup. Footage aired of Royce Keys on the Stephanie McMahon podcast…
3. Je’Von Evans (w/Offset) vs. Kofi Kingston (w/Xavier Woods, Grayson Waller). Kingston was on the floor when Evans set up for a dive. Kingston ran away to avoid it, which Cole mocked him for. A short time later, Kingston poked Evans’ eye and then sent him to the floor. Kingston threw a kick at Evans from the apron. Offset checked on Evans. [C]
Late in the match, Waller got in the face of Offset, who tossed him over the broadcast table. Kingston barked at Offset. Evans hit the OG Cutter on Kingston before pinning him.
After the match, Cole played up the possibility of Evans performing a big move from the top of an Elimination Chamber pod. Offset entered the ring and raised Evans’ arm…
Je’Von Evans defeated Kofi Kingston in 10:15.
A video package aired with Bayley, Rey Mysterio, Bobby Roode, Nattie, The Miz, Robert Roode, Chris “Abyss” Parks, Booker T, Randy Orton, and Shinsuke Nakamura all saying kind words about AJ Styles…
TNA’s Frankie Kazarian was shown walking backstage. He stopped and opened the boiler room door. Abyss walked through the door. “Let’s go,” Kazarian said…
World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk made his entrance… [C]
A Finn Balor promo video aired. He spoke about beating CM Punk and then defending the championship at WrestleMania…
NBA star Dwight Howard, Jermaine Dupri, comedian Funny Marco, and Bow Wow were all shown separately in the crowd…
World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk stood in the ring and said he’s doing the best he can to give the fans the champion they deserve. Punk asked the crowd what if Roman Reigns was in the building. He said that’s why he doesn’t like to deal in “what ifs” because Reigns wasn’t there. He said Reigns would be in Indianapolis next week.
Punk asked what if he didn’t wait until WrestleMania, and instead punches Reigns “in his stupid face next Monday.” He said he doesn’t have to ask what if he main events WrestleMania, because he is the best in the world. “My name is…” Punk said before letting the fans fill in the rest before he tossed the mic…
Backstage, Petey Williams and Jeremy Borash were shown talking. Omos showed up and spoke with them while Cole recalled that Omos held the tag team titles with AJ Styles…
Powell’s POV: It’s nice to see Borash on television again. I’m still surprised that he hasn’t appeared on a TNA show since the companies started working together. Are they’re saving that for a TNA Hall of Fame induction?
Iyo Sky made her entrance for the final Elimination Chamber qualifier… [C] Cole plugged the WWE video game while Raquel Rodriguez made her entrance…
4. Iyo Sky vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Kairi Sane in a Triple Threat qualifier for the women’s Elimination Chamber match. Sane’s entrance was not televised.
[Hour Three] Sky hit an Asai moonsault onto both opponents on the floor. [C]
Rodriguez set up Sky for a Tejana Bomb, but Sky broke it up. Sky and Sane ran Rodriguez through the ropes and into the ring post, which sent her to the floor. Sky performed a suicide dive. Sane went up top and hit Rodriguez with an Insane Elbow on the floor. Sky executed a shotgun dropkick that sent Rodriguez into the timekeeper’s area. Sane hit Sky with a backfist and rolled her back inside the ring.
Back in the ring, Sky hit Over The Moonsault and had Sane pinned, but Rodriguez pulled Sane to the floor to break up the pin. Rodriguez clotheslined Sane and left her on the floor while she returned to the ring and fought Sky. Eventually, Sky had Rodriguez down and went up top for her finisher, but Sane shoved her to the floor. Rodriguez avoided the Insane Elbow, and then put away Sane with a Tejana Bomb…
Raquel Rodriguez defeated Kairi Sane and Iyo Sky in roughly 10:00 to qualify for the women’s Elimination Chamber match.
Cole announced that Bronson Reed suffered a distal bicep tear during the earlier qualifier. Cole and Graves ran through the updated Elimination Chamber lineup. Cole said the tribute to AJ Styles was up next… [C]
Powell’s POV: A quick search shows that a distal bicep tear is when the tendon that connects the biceps muscle to the forearm tears. The listed recovery time is three to six months. (Or zero days if this is another injury angle for WWE Unreal, but I’m not really sure what actual storyline purpose it would serve beyond that.) Meanwhile, the outcome of the Triple Threat surprised me. I thought Sky would qualify for the match so that she and Rhea Ripley could mix it up a little. So that means Rodriguez, Ripley, Alea Bliss, and Asuka are all in the match, yet none of their tag team partners qualified.
An AJ Styles video package aired to the tune of Creed’s “Higher.” It included a rare appearance from his wife, Wendy, and their children…
AJ Styles made his entrance (no, he hasn’t cut his hair yet). Styles slapped hands as he headed to the ring. Cole and Graves were shown standing and applauding. Styles said he thought about wearing a suit, but the last time he did, he beat the hell out of Cody Rhodes, so he thought he’d better not.
Styles said if he gets a little choked up, it’s not because he’s sad. He told the fans that he was grateful to be in Atlanta. He said he grew up 45 minutes down the road in Gainesville, Georgia. Styles said people don’t get to have celebrations like this when they retire, so he was very thankful.
At his core, Styles said he’s still that kid from Gainesville who fell in love with professional wrestling. Styles said he wrestled in Gainesville, at the Asylum in TNA, at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, and under the bright lights at WrestleMania. He recalled working with Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, and Samoa Joe in TNA.
Styles said he left TNA with some uncertainty and met some Good Brothers in Japan. He said Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson showed him how to have fun in pro wrestling. Style said he’s done almost everything. He said he hasn’t been a full-time father.
Styles said he hasn’t been a full-time father. Styles’ family was shown in the crowd as he said he’s missed birthdays, anniversaries, and games. He said it sucks. He said his biggest flex is having the best wife in the world. Styles said she never slowed him down or told him to stop, and she pushed him. He said he watched his kids grow on FaceTime. “You’re the one,” I love you,” Styles told his wife. He thanked his kids before being there, and added that his son AJ was at home with the flu.
Styles said things may not have gone the way the fans wanted when he faced Gunther at the Royal Rumble. There were boos. Styles said things didn’t go the way he thought they would, but it’s actually poetic. Styles said most people don’t get to go out where they started. He said his first match was at the Royal Rumble in 2016 and his last match was at the Royal Rumble in 2026.
Styles said there were questions about why he didn’t leave his gloves in the ring. He said he’s a man of his word. He removed his vest and placed it on the mat. “I didn’t take off my gloves at the Royal Rumble, because I wanted to take them to my house and come here to Atlanta and leave my gloves at home,” he said. Styles removed his gloves and dropped them on his ring vet.
Styles told the fans he would have been nothing without them. Styles told the fans he loved them and said thank you. The executive producer credits were shown. Styles went ot the ropes and played to the fans. A “thank you, AJ” chant broke out. Paul Levesque and the rest of the locker room and the special guests appeared on the stage and applauded. The fans chanted “AJ.”
The Undertaker’s gong sounded, and the lights went out. When the lights turned on, “American Badass” was on the big screen, and Undertaker drove a motorcycle the ring. Undertaker entered the ring and looked down at AJ’s gear.
“So what, you’re just going to leave this stuff here and leave?” Taker asked. “But me and you, we got unfinished business. AJ, did you ever hear the phrase if you see me coming, you’re already gone? I changed that phrase a little bit, because if you see me coming, that means you’re going.”
Taker put his hand on AJ’s shoulder. “AJ, it is my esteemed honor to inform you that you are the newest inductee into the 2026 Class of the WWE Hall of Fame.” Styles was all smiles. His family members celebrated at ringside, and then Taker and Styles embraced. A “you deserve it” chant broke out. Styles’ wife and children entered the ring, and they had a group hug. Styles’ entrance theme played. “Hall of Fame,” Styles yelled. AJ and Wendy raised their hands along with their children…
A memorial graphic for late WWE director Kerwin Silfies was shown to close the episode…
Powell’s POV: Am I the only one who wondered for a second whether Taker’s line about unfinished business was setting up one more cinematic match between the two? AJ’s speech was nice, and if he knew about the WWE Hall of Fame induction, he did a good job of acting surprised.
Overall, this was a good and newsworthy show with the Styles retirement and Hall of Fame announcement, Brock Lesnar’s open challenge details, Liv Morgan revealing which champion she will face, and the final Elimination Chamber qualifiers. I will be back shortly with my weekly same-night audio review of Raw for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.