One week removed from WrestleMania, a new era of Raw has begun. We saw an inkling of the programs, storylines, and developments in the Raw after WrestleMania; but this week should set things in motion, leading up into Payback.
Moreover, Vince McMahon announced a Superstar Shake-up last week and we're keen to see what implications this has on the roster. Which Superstars from SmackDown LIVE, will make their debut on Monday Night Raw, this week? Will former stars return for the draft and bolster Monday Night Raw?
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Let’s look at some possibilities in our Raw preview. When these probable events do eventually transpire, remember we told you so.
#5 A brand new face of Monday Night Raw?
Those of you who follow our updates must have heard the rumours already. As it stands, WWE is quite keen on moving AJ Styles to Raw from SmackDown and possibly making him the face of the brand.
We’ve already seen a glimpse of him turning babyface last week on SmackDown, and judging from the crowd reaction, he's already a babyface. In fact, Styles’ protests about not wanting to move to Raw, during his segment with Shane McMahon, indicate that he’s quite likely to move to the red brand.
Also read: 5 Superstar Shake-up rumours you need to know about
This is likely to freshen things up for Raw, and just like the addition of a babyface General Manager has changed the dynamics of the show... the addition of a top babyface Superstar can make Raw more appealing to fans (who are sick of The Authority’s shtick, every week).
In case AJ Styles does become the top guy on Raw, it can also lead to an interesting feud with Finn Balor, based on their history with the Bullet Club in Japan.
#4 Two interesting paths for Finn Balor
Much like we’ve outlined on the previous page, fans have yearned for a feud between the leaders of the Bullet Club - AJ Styles and Finn Balor for a long time. If Styles does get drafted to Raw, we feel that a feud of this nature is imminent.
However, in case AJ and Finn do not lock horns from the very first week that they’re on the same brand, we foresee Balor going after Kevin Owens’ United States Championship. With Brock Lesnar not appearing in every show, these two men can really elevate this title and make it the highlight of the show.
In our opinion, at least for the time being, the second possibility (United States Championship feud) is far more likely.
#3 Seth Rollins seeks retribution
Remember how Samoa Joe accidentally injured Seth Rollins on the night of his main roster debut? We do. We’re certain Seth Rollins, who almost missed WrestleMania because of the injury remembers as well.
From the looks of it, these two men will be in a program, at least until Payback. We’d heard inklings of a possible match between the two at Fastlane (before WrestleMania), but that match was shelved for obvious reasons.
Unfortunately, knowing how WWE books things, we expect Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe, two men who have an uneasy alliance, to face Rollins and Balor respectively until the PPV comes around.
#2 Will Sasha Banks stab her best friend in the back?
It has been strongly rumoured that Alexa Bliss will be moving to Raw after the Superstar Shake-up. It is, however, unlikely for her to enter the title picture immediately after she comes in.
Considering that Bayley has practically battled every woman in the division (with the exception of evil Emma, who does not seem like a title contender right now), who does that leave for the champ to face?
We suspect that Sasha Banks will go heel and turn on her best friend, Bayley. Their match in NXT is still held in high regard, and we genuinely think that there's still some money to be made in a program between these two gorgeous and talented women.
The betrayal itself could be the next ‘Festival of Friendship’ moment for Raw.
#1 Will Roman Reigns answer the Beast Incarnate or will Strowman get a monstrous dream match?
Last week on Raw, Paul Heyman named Roman Reigns as a contender for Brock Lesnar's Universal Championship title and Reigns no-showed the advocate. Instead, Braun Strowman would step up to the plate and get in the face of Lesnar.
Does Reigns finally answer the bellow of the Beast this week? Is he too busy tending to his new yard to come out and face Lesnar?
So many questions. Only a few hours to go. We cannot wait for Monday Night Raw. We leave you now with the most profoundly deep thing said by The Big Dog, Roman Reigns- ‘Oooooaaaaa!’
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