WWE Raw Results: AJ Styles Tribute, Brock Lesnar Returns, and WrestleMania Preparations

February 23, 2026, marked a significant night for WWE Raw, highlighted by a heartfelt tribute to AJ Styles, the return of Brock Lesnar, and crucial developments as wrestlers prepare for WrestleMania and the Elimination Chamber. The event, held at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, featured several key matches and storyline advancements.

AJ Styles Receives Emotional Farewell and Hall of Fame Induction

The evening began with a celebration of AJ Styles’ illustrious career. In a moving segment, The Undertaker appeared to announce Styles’ induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. CBS Sports reported that Styles received a standing ovation from the Atlanta crowd, his hometown.

Brock Lesnar Makes Surprise Return

Adding to the excitement, Brock Lesnar made a highly anticipated return to Raw. Khel Now confirmed Lesnar’s appearance, signaling his potential involvement in the upcoming Elimination Chamber event and WrestleMania storylines.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Matches

Raw featured qualifying matches for both the men’s and women’s Elimination Chamber. The card included:

• Men’s Elimination Chamber Triple Threat Qualifying Match: Jey Uso vs. “Original” El Grande Americano vs. Bronson Reed.
• Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Raquel Rodriguez vs. Iyo Sky vs. Kairi Sane.

WWE.com detailed these matches as pivotal in determining the final participants for the Elimination Chamber.

Liv Morgan’s WrestleMania Decision

Women’s Royal Rumble winner Liv Morgan was scheduled to announce her WrestleMania opponent on Raw. This decision is a key storyline heading into WWE’s biggest event of the year.

Other Notable Moments

• CM Punk discussed his upcoming title matches against Finn Bálor and Roman Reigns.
• Jade Cargill was similarly advertised to appear.
• A match between Nattie and Maxxine Dupri took place.
• An injury update regarding Bronson Reed was provided.

Gunther’s Confrontation and Dragon Lee’s Attack

The night also saw a confrontation between Gunther and Raw General Manager Adam Pearce. Wrestleview reported that Gunther interrupted the planned tribute to AJ Styles, criticizing the celebration and claiming to have “killed” the careers of wrestling legends. Pearce attempted to escort Gunther from the building, but Gunther was attacked from behind by Dragon Lee before security could intervene.

Looking Ahead

WWE Raw on February 23, 2026, successfully built anticipation for both the Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania. The tribute to AJ Styles provided a touching moment for fans, while the return of Brock Lesnar and the ongoing storylines involving CM Punk and Liv Morgan promise exciting developments in the weeks to arrive.