WWE Monday Night Raw: UK start time from Belfast, matches announced and current Royal Rumble favourites
The Ring General will kick off the historic broadcast from Belfast, Northern Ireland - let the cries of ‘you tapped out’ commence.
Despite his controversial victory over AJ Styles last week, Gunther remains unbothered, though the WWE Universe in the SSE Arena is unlikely to let him forget the visual of him tapping to the Calf Crusher behind the referee's back.
It’s set to be a milestone moment for Monday Night Raw this evening as, for the first time ever, the eyes of the world are on Belfast as the company hosts its first-televised WWE production.
With the show airing live globally on Netflix, the atmosphere is expected to be electric, especially with two of Ireland's most decorated exports - Finn Balor and Becky Lynch - competing in high-stakes championship matches on their home turf.
As Gunther takes the mic to address the "Phenomenal" controversy, the heat in the arena is expected to be nuclear, setting the tone for a night where history is made in more ways than one.
Here’s what’s planned so far ahead of Monday Night Raw, and what time you’ll need to tune in this evening to catch all the action live.
What time is WWE Monday Night Raw starting in the UK today?
With the WWE being just across the Irish Sea, it’s another early one for UK fans of the company.
This evening’s episode of WWE Monday Night Raw will screen from 8pm on Netflix, with on-demand repeats available shortly after the show’s initial broadcast.
What has been announced so far for WWE Monday Night Raw in Belfast?
World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (c) v Finn Balor
The Second City Saint is staying true to his word. After pledging to be a fighting champion throughout the WrestleMania season, CM Punk puts his World Heavyweight Gold on the line against Finn Balor.
The PrinXe is looking to shed the recent criticisms of the Judgment Day and reclaim his spot at the top of the mountain, after what some called a pep talk last week from Liv Morgan, while others considered the returning Judgement Day member to, perhaps, be goading Finn instead.
Can Balor pull off an upset on "home soil" (geographically speaking), or will Punk’s veteran savvy keep the gold around his waist?
Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) v Maxxine Dupri
The Man has come back around to her island.
Becky Lynch defends her title in a high-stakes rematch against the woman she took it from, Maxxine Dupri. While Becky is looking to move on to new challengers for WrestleMania 42, Maxxine is obsessed with revenge, even vowing to break Lynch’s ankle to get her gold back.
This rivalry reached a boiling point at the Netflix anniversary show, and Belfast will host the potentially final chapter.
Six-Man Tag Team Grudge Match
In a clash of styles and egos, Rey Mysterio, Penta, and Dragon Lee team up to take on the formidable trio of Bronson Reed, Austin Theory, and Logan Paul.
With the legendary Paul Heyman lurking at ringside for the heel trio The Vision, the high-flying Lucha stars will need to keep their eyes in the back of their heads. Heyman has been the mastermind behind this new faction, recently adding Logan Paul and Austin Theory to the mix to provide "star power" alongside the brute force of Bronson Reed.
Expect a mix of breathtaking aerial manoeuvres and heavy-hitting power in this marquee undercard bout, especially with the "Maverick" Logan Paul eager to show off his full-time status in front of the rowdy Belfast crowd.
Je’Von Evans v El Grande Americano
The 21-year-old sensation Je’Von Evans is the talk of the WWE Universe. After dismantling the junior members of Los Americanos, the "hotshot" now faces the faction's leader, El Grande Americano.
Evans is looking to go a perfect 3-0 against the group and maintain his undefeated streak on the Raw roster.
Will the young star's momentum continue, or will the "head honcho" put an end to the hype?
Who are the latest favourites ahead of this year’s Royal Rumble matches?
With little over two weeks to go until the stars of the WWE head to Riyadh for the annual Royal Rumble match, there have been a few changes to the favourites since we last checked in on them.
Oddschecker reports that while Roman Reigns remains the overall favourite to win the 30-man match, the biggest story in the last 24 hours is the massive surge for Sami Zayn.
The ‘Underdog from the Underground’ has seen his odds slashed from +1000 all the way to +300, making him the most backed superstar on the market with 23% of all recent bets.
As Roman Reigns' odds drift slightly to +125, many believe Zayn is the clear choice to finish his story on the grandest stage.
However, with heavy hitters like Bron Breakker (+200) and Cody Rhodes (+800) still firmly in the hunt, the historic Riyadh event is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable Rumbles in years.
Royal Rumble 2026 - current men’s favourites
- Roman Reigns (+125)
- Bron Breakker (+200)
- Sami Zayn (+300)
- Cody Rhodes (+800)
- Gunther (+1000)
Looking for the favourites to win the women’s Royal Rumble? Check out the odds from December when we last checked in, and be on the lookout in the upcoming weeks for the most recent betting odds for the entire Royal Rumble 2026 event.