RAW Preview: Backstage reason why former champion could be inserted into WWE title feud, Returning star to replace Rey Mysterio in the Survivor Series team?

Welcome to this week's edition of RAW Preview, and we can finally say that WWE began the build to Survivor Series.

It was odd since the company seemingly ignored the pay-per-view for the last two weeks on both main roster brands. However, following the team announcements, it's clear that the remaining two episodes of RAW and SmackDown will be used to build to the so-called fourth-biggest WWE pay-per-view of the year.

Here's what you need to look forward to on the Red brand this week:

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#5. Kevin Owens faces Seth Rollins on RAW in a big WrestleMania 36 rematch

Seth Rollins vs. Big E is the primary rivalry on RAW now. However, with Survivor Series coming up, we presume that it's a feud that will carry on until Day 1 and will presumably extend up until the Royal Rumble 2022.

While the Big E vs. Seth Rollins match isn't happening soon, we're getting a bout that could be even better from an in-ring perspective. Last week, Owens took on the WWE Champion in the main event.

While Rollins tried to cost Big E, Kevin Owens also tried to sneakily take advantage, angering the New Day member. The latter would pick up the win via the crucifix pin, and post-match, he was less than pleased with Owens.

The Prizefighter ended up challenging Rollins to a match on RAW, but his night ended with Big E hitting the Big Ending on him despite an apology from the former Universal Champion.

Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens arguably had the best in-ring match of WrestleMania 36 at the WWE Performance Center. While it would have been fireworks in front of a crowd, the two men did their best to make it as memorable a clash as possible.

While Owens won in that instance, the chances of him repeating that are unlikely tonight. Unless the company plans to make the WWE title feud a triple threat, also involving Kevin Owens (two months before his contract expires), Seth Rollins will likely pick up the win to make him look stronger.

However, if WWE chooses to go with Owens, then it might mean a triple threat feud, and possibly a way of convincing him to re-sign with the company.

#4. The build to Survivor Series begins for the two RAW teams

WWE finally announced the men's and women's Survivor Series teams for RAW and SmackDown. On the women's side, the Red brand's team comprises of Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, Carmella, and Zelina Vega.

On the men's side, it's Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Finn Balor, Rey Mysterio, and Dominik Mysterio. While the teams are arguably more stacked on RAW's side, the usual "can they coexist" storyline might play into the dynamic once again.

Austin Theory was a surprising omission from the RAW Men's Survivor Series team, especially given how he's been pushed since his re-debut on the main roster. It's possible that WWE has Theory replace Rey Mysterio, to add more tension to the team.

While the company is a bit late with the announcement of the teams, many questioned why there was no qualifying matches involved as well. This is perhaps because of them choosing to ignore Survivor Series for the last two weeks.

Also, there's another thing we noticed. The entire concept of "fighting for RAW" seems to be a bad one since the men's side comprises of five superstars, all of whom were freshly drafted to the brand from SmackDown only a month ago.

The women's team comprises four superstars who were freshly drafted from the Blue brand to Monday night show.

While it's a bit odd, at least the promotion will begin their build-up to Survivor Series tonight.

#3. Are Queen Zelina and Carmella on the hunt for gold on RAW?

RAW Superstar Queen Zelina has been on a roll since the beginning of the Queen's Crown tournament. She's yet to suffer a defeat, and even has two victories over Doudrop - including the one that made her the first official Queen of WWE.

Last week on RAW, there was a tense moment backstage involving Zelina, Carmella, and the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley.

It led to a non-title match, with Queen Zelina picking up the win for her team. By pinning one-half of the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, Zelina and Carmella will likely be next in line for the titles.

Their pairing may seem a bit odd, but it happened briefly on SmackDown before getting carried over to the Red brand. Whether they end up winning the tag team titles or not is yet to be seen.

WWE doesn't give the women's tag team titles nearly enough emphasis as they should, which means that they're also unlikely to care about a title change.

#2. Will Liv Morgan make a statement towards RAW Women's Champion Becky Lynch?

Becky Lynch had an incredible opening match against Bianca Belair and retained the RAW Women's Championship on last week's episode. It wasn't the cleanest win, but that's only to be expected from Big Time Becks.

However, what transpired later on RAW was a bit more surprising. We use the word surprising because of how Liv Morgan is being handled. She had a small feud with Carmella where she came out on the losing end, at least on television.

After losing to Carmella, Morgan was the one to approach Becky Lynch backstage, teasing a feud in the future. While The Man is expected to face SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair, Liv Morgan could be the woman who feuds with her heading into 2022.

For all we know, this might just be a small television feud that doesn't necessarily have a pay-per-view match. With that said, it's obvious that Morgan is a filler opponent for Lynch as she gears up for WrestleMania season in over two months.

#1. Damian Priest sets his sights on his next target on RAW

Damian Priest has two things to look forward to on RAW - Apollo Crews, and possibly Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura. Priest has shown a new side of himself lately, and it isn't just the theme song - it's his overall mannerisms.

He seems to be working towards a "tweener" character, with the commentators on RAW mentioning how there's a thin line between the good and evil when it comes to Damian Priest.

Either way, he got rid of T-BAR for good after decimating him in a no disqualification match last week. Following his victory, it was former United States Champion Apollo Crews who staked his claim for the next title shot.

Crews has largely been involved in the US or Intercontinental title picture since the pandemic era in 2020. In that time, he received his biggest babyface push by winning the US title, and this past WrestleMania, his biggest heel push as he defeated Big E to win the Intercontinental Championship.

While the company stopped using Apollo Crews as much when the crowds returned, his move to RAW seems to have some promise. He isn't going to dethrone Damian Priest, but it's good for him to be back in the title mix upon his return to the Monday night show.