Orlando has witnessed three days of non-stop excitement from the WWE camp, and the action is still far from over. For many fans, the Raw after WrestleMania is the best part of WrestleMania weekend, where the past is deleted and rendered obsolete (seems to be the theme of WWE after the Hardyz’ debut); and the foundation is laid for the following year of wrestling. What twists and turns can we look forward to in the upcoming episode of Raw? Let’s explore some of the possibilities.
Follow WWE Raw Results 3rd April 2017 live here.
#5 Wait, who's in charge of Monday Night Raw?
Two weeks ago, Stephanie McMahon fired Mick Foley on Raw, for the unpardonable crime of being a babyface. Hours ago, she crashed through a table during the Seth Rollins-Triple H match at WrestleMania. While she can always come back, it makes a lot more sense to write her off TV with an injury, at least for now. This leaves a void at the top waiting to be filled. An authority figure can step in and grab Raw by the reins and steer it towards normalcy. Someone maybe with an Olympic Gold Medal in wrestling?
It has been rumoured for many months now that Kurt Angle will take over the General Manager’s role. Maybe with a babyface at the top (we don't see how Kurt Angle can be a heel, with all the goodwill he has at the moment), Raw will feel fresher and better. It will change the dynamics of the show, and the long-running ‘Authority’ storyline in its various incarnations can come to an end.
#4 What's next for Kevin Owens?
We all love Chris Jericho to death, but he wasn’t the best US Champion, was he? Under his reign, the championship was pretty much forgotten, as Roman Reigns embarked on more important matters, like tending to his yard and determining its ownership. Now that Kevin Owens holds the championship, we wonder if he can make it the most prestigious belt in WWE. Universal Champion Brock Lesnar will not be showing up every week and that makes Owens the top guy on Raw.
Also read: Best and worst of WrestleMania 33
The interesting thing to note here is that Owens still has a Universal Championship shot left, considering he never got his rematch against Goldberg. Will Owens align with Samoa Joe and enter into a feud with Brock Lesnar? Or will he help strengthen the mid card and maybe feud with someone like Cesaro or Sami Zayn for the US Championship. Remember, Jericho has tour dates with his band and may not be on television starting this week on Raw.
#3 Who will be deleted next?
Yes, The Club are still owed a contractual rematch, but the real money is in a feud between The Hardyz and The New Day. WWE does not do babyface vs. babyface programs, but The Hardyz have been very vocal about wanting to face ‘The Day of New'. Unlike The Dudley Boyz, the Hardyz are not here to put younger talent over. They will be prominent players at the top of the food chain. We just cannot foresee them in a program with The Club, considering how Anderson and Gallows have been booked. Also, will Matt and Jeff be in character when they appear on Raw?
#2 Will The Big Dog bark at his fans?
Roman Reigns retired The Undertaker, perhaps the greatest wrestler of all time. Let that sink in, guys.
We don't know if Reigns will open the show or not, but we’re curious to see how the audience reacts to the big dog and how he responds to the crowd. The most despised babyface in history should ideally be proud that he achieved what he set out to do. However, fans will hate him forever and ever for sending the Dead Man away for good. This is the right time for him to turn on the fans and become the best cocky heel in history. Not only will it reinvent his character, it will allow the fans to boo his character, legitimately.
#1 Who will enter the lair of The Beast?
According to prevalent rumors, Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns will collide at WrestleMania 34 in New Orleans. What does The Beast do until then? We know that the Goldberg feud is over. So does Rollins step up to the plate? Is AJ Styles coming to Raw? Will Kevin Owens invoke his rematch clause? Will Balor challenge Lesnar for the belt he never lost? There is a mystery afoot.
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