5 Things WWE subtly told us on RAW: 7-Time Champion turns face after 2.5 years, Huge break-up teased for WrestleMania 38? (December 27th, 2021)

Welcome to the final edition of things WWE subtly told us on RAW for 2021. It was the final RAW of the year, and the final live episode of WWE TV, as SmackDown is set to be more of a highlights show.

There were a lot of superstars absent this week, meaning that even the main feuds for Day 1 were only seen through highlight packages - such as the title feud between Becky Lynch and Liv Morgan.

It also meant that advertised matches were canceled, and things seem to be a bit messy in the current state of things. PWInsider even reported that Vince McMahon, Bruce Prichard, Kevin Dunne, and Adam Pearce among other backstage figures weren't present for the show.

Either way, the company put out their best efforts with what they had, and this was what was subtly told to us this week on RAW:

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#5. AJ Styles and the abrupt changes on RAW

The good news for AJ Styles fans is that the two-time world champion has officially turned babyface again. It's been over two-and-a-half years since we have seen Styles as a babyface, and this seems to be the start of another run.

Some of his biggest successes in the promotion came as a babyface between 2017 to 2018 - where he became the longest-reigning WWE Champion in SmackDown history.

This time, the babyface turn might be used to help get Omos over, but the match that they were scheduled to have on RAW this week was delayed. Without any explanation, the giant was one of many superstars who were absent despite being advertised.

Instead, AJ Styles was confronted by Grayson Waller from NXT - the man who he met last Tuesday when he jumped to NXT 2.0 for a rare special appearance. The interaction with Waller was cut short when Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez interrupted him.

While Styles was seemingly set to take on another giant in Commander Azeez, the decision changed in the last second and he then faced Crews instead. Using a full-fledged babyface moveset, The Phenomenal One won with the Styles Clash - a move he hasn't used in quite a while.

Either way, one thing is certain - AJ Styles is now a babyface, and although he could lose to Omos when they face off next, it will be interesting to see the direction that is taken with him on the red brand.

#4. RK-Bro celebrates on RAW, but was a dark future teased?

R-Bro opened RAW this week, and it was perhaps the best choice as they were one of the highlights of 2021. The odd-pair duo went from being a team that couldn't get along to one that seems like a full-fledged unit.

They also end the year as the RAW Tag Team Champions, and their feud against The Alpha Academy quickly wrapped up on the red brand. Riddle challenged Chad Gable to a match and won, following which Randy Orton had his advertised bout against Otis.

While it seemed like the latter could have been on the verge of winning, Orton made one smart move that imbalanced his opponent, leading to an opportunity to land an RKO. It only took him four different attempts to secure it and beat Otis.

After the match, Randy Orton got his gift from Riddle - a hug. The crowd loved RK-Bro, and it seemed Detroit was flooded with "RK-Bro" signs. For a split second, The Viper "joked" about hitting an RKO on The Original Bro, although he laughed it off and hugged his partner.

This was a very early tease of the inevitable break-up between the two. Will it happen on the road to WrestleMania? That seems to be a big possibility.

#3. Damian Priest caps off an incredible 2021 on RAW

When considering the superstar of the year on RAW, there should only be two names considered - Bobby Lashley and Damian Priest. While Lashley has dominated the brand for more than half the year and is back in WWE title contention, Priest has had the best first year on the main roster in recent memory.

Damian Priest's direction on RAW has only been upward, and it didn't take long for the company to capitalize on his momentum. A little over half a year after his main roster debut, he became the new United States Champion at SummerSlam.

The last few months of 2021 have seen Priest evolve into a darker character but also become one of the best United States Champions in years. He faced Dolph Ziggler this week and retained the U.S. title, effectively ending his feud with The Dirty Dawgs and capping off an incredible 2021.

He is undoubtedly one of, if not the WWE Superstar of the year.

2022 may have even bigger and better things for The Archer of Infamy on the Monday night show.

#2. Kevin Owens fills the gap on RAW for the main event feud

This week on RAW, Seth Rollins, Bobby Lashley, and WWE Champion Big E were all absent. While we saw videos from Rollins and E, it was a big gap to fill because that was three-fourths of the WWE title match at Day 1.

We expected a more intense segment, but with nobody but Kevin Owens present, he had to do the heavy lifting. MVP was the one who confronted Owens, and Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin came out. It seems like the company just puts The Hurt Business back together whenever they feel like.

In this case, Alexander tried to prove that The All Mighty was better with them by his side, and wanted to use Owens as an example. Of course, he didn't, and both Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander fell flat to Kevin Owens - who looked strong ahead of his title match at Day 1.

It was a strong showing for KO, but it was also WWE's way of saying that this was a last-minute plan after three crucial superstars weren't on RAW.

#1. Day 1 will feature no return for a legend, but the end of RAW could mean the return of something else

The conclusion of RAW in 2021 was set to be a renewal of wedding vows between The Miz and Maryse. Eric Bischoff was the special guest to officiate it, and he seemed to have an idea of exactly how weddings go in WWE.

While this wasn't an outright wedding, it certainly had the feel to it. However, fans knew that there was only one thing to look forward to - what Edge had in store. He finally came out during the "objection" part, something that everyone knew would happen.

The Miz even told The Rated-R Superstar that they knew he would come and try to be a party-crasher - but they didn't realize how he was going to do it. While walking away, the lights turned bright red, signaling his "Brood" days.

Following this, black liquid spilled from the top as Edge had the last laugh in 2021. He got one over The A-Lister, and he is set to do the same at Day 1. The segment hinted that there would be no Beth Phoenix, but that doesn't seem important.

Edge could return with the Brood gimmick briefly for the upcoming pay-per-view.

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Was it a satisfying conclusion to the last episode of RAW in 2021? Voice your thoughts in the comments below.