WWE Raw Highlights: WWE Monday Night Raw was live on Feb. 23, 2026, from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The road to WrestleMania 42 continued, while the build to Elimination Chamber later that month in Chicago also moved forward.
The show honored AJ Styles and celebrated his career. Brock Lesnar returned to Raw. Liv Morgan made her WrestleMania 42 decision. There were more Elimination Chamber qualifying matches. World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk appeared and spoke about his upcoming title defenses.
WWE Raw Highlights
GUNTHER Interrupted the Tribute Show Opening
The show started with Michael Cole and Corey Graves in the ring talking about an AJ Styles tribute. GUNTHER walked in through the crowd and complained, saying the show should be about him, not Styles. He insulted fans and compared Styles to other wrestlers he said he had already defeated in their careers. He said he deserved the celebration instead.
General manager Adam Pearce came out with security and told GUNTHER to leave because tonight was about honoring Styles. GUNTHER said he would leave on his own terms. As he was being escorted out, Dragon Lee attacked him twice, causing short brawls before security separated them. Pearce later told GUNTHER the night wasn’t about him.
Bronson Reed vs El Grande Americano Original vs Jey Uso
Cody Rhodes came out and talked about AJ Styles. Then The Vision group (Paul Heyman, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, Austin Theory) came out and talked trash. Theory and Paul mocked Cody and said Bronson Reed would win tonight, then win the Elimination Chamber, and then win at WrestleMania. The Usos showed up through the crowd and backed Cody up.
A qualifying match started: Bronson Reed vs El Grande Americano Original vs Jey Uso. Early, the other two teamed up on Reed but couldn’t keep him down. Reed used his power, hitting big slams and a double Samoan Drop. During the match, Reed appeared to hurt his arm and got checked by doctors. In the end, Jey Uso hit a spear and finished with a top rope splash to win and qualify for the Elimination Chamber.
Liv Morgan WrestleMania Decision
Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan were in the ring. Liv said she was ready to pick who she would face at WrestleMania, then brought out Stephanie Vaquer and Jade Cargill. Liv apologized to Stephanie for underestimating her struggles and said she now respected her as champion. Then she turned toward Jade like she would pick her, but suddenly hit Stephanie with a microphone shot. Jade walked away as Liv attacked Stephanie, hitting a Codebreaker in the corner, and finishing with Oblivion while grabbing the title belt.
Maxxine Dupri vs Nattie Neidhart
Maxxine Dupri started strong, throwing Nattie to the floor and hitting a crossbody off the barricade. But when she tried to keep attacking, Nattie shoved her hard into the ringpost. Maxxine hit the post face-first and stayed down. Nattie kept throwing punches on the ground until the referee stopped her to check on Maxxine. Nattie kept attacking anyway, so the referee called the match. Nattie won by referee stoppage.
Brock Lesnar Open Challenge
Brock Lesnar came to the ring with Paul Heyman. Heyman said Brock beating The Undertaker’s streak means Brock now owns the WrestleMania main event spot. He challenged any wrestler to come face Brock if they are brave enough, but said no one in the locker room is tough enough. Heyman said Brock’s real WrestleMania match is just who gets beaten by him. He kept taunting the roster, saying nobody had the courage to answer the open challenge. No one came out to fight Brock.
CM Punk Promo Message
CM Punk came out and said tonight wasn’t about him, it was about AJ Styles. He talked about being a fighting champion and said he tries to live up to legends like Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. Punk said he doesn’t like thinking about “what if” situations. He mentioned what if Finn Balor didn’t attack him before, then he wouldn’t have his title match. He said being champion means taking risks.
Punk also said Roman Reigns would be here next week and hinted he might confront him. Punk finished by saying he doesn’t need to question himself because he is the best in the world and already the WrestleMania main event.
IYO SKY vs Raquel Rodriguez vs Kairi Sane
Raquel Rodriguez won after a hard fight with IYO SKY and Kairi Sane. Early on, Raquel used her strength to throw both opponents around, but IYO and Kairi teamed up briefly. They hit fast attacks and double strikes, sending Raquel outside the ring. IYO later hit big dives and high-flying moves. Kairi tried a top rope elbow later in the match but Raquel stopped her with a big lariat. Raquel caught Kairi with a powerful one-arm powerbomb and got the pin. Raquel advanced to the Elimination Chamber match.
AJ Styles Retirement Moment
AJ Styles gave an emotional retirement-style speech, thanking fans and reflecting on his career. He talked about growing up near Atlanta, starting his wrestling journey in smaller promotions, then wrestling all over the world, including Japan and WWE’s biggest stages.
He thanked his family, especially his wife, for supporting him while he was on the road so much. He said missing family moments was the hardest part of his career but he was proud of what he achieved. He left his gloves and vest in the ring as a symbol of closing his in-ring career. The Undertaker later appeared and announced AJ’s WWE Hall of Fame induction.
FAQs
Q. Where was WWE Raw on Feb. 23, 2026 held?
A. WWE Raw was held at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
Q. Who won the triple threat qualifying match for Elimination Chamber?
A. Jey Uso won after hitting a spear and top rope splash to qualify for the Elimination Chamber.
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