4 things that need to happen on Raw this week- 13 August 2018

Image result for wwe kevin owens frogsplash to strowman
Raw has to make certain essential things happen before Summerslam.

WWE has one chance this week to sort out the overall negative reception they have received over the last few weeks for their poor booking strategies on Monday Night Raw.

On this week’s edition of the flagship show, that chance should see them put finishing touches on main event narratives, reconstruct broken divisions, and more importantly boost certain midcard programmes into relevancy.

And all that could happen if WWE just tries to correct their biggest flaws before heading into Summerslam, as the discussion over whether Raw can be good this week is over and what matters now is whether the red brand can conclude the go home show with a bang.


#1 Fight Owens Fight

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It's now or never to make this rivalry reach its peak.

The narrative between Braun Strowman and Kevin Owens has been one of WWE’s best thought out ideas in a long time, but the way the creative team has booked this narrative has been disappointing, to say the least. As they paired a watered down version of Strowman with a characteristically confused Kevin Owens and included Jinder Mahal for some reason, which has been destroying the fun of this narrative every single week.

However, this week that must stop, as Strowman and KO head into their match at Summerslam WWE need to make the most of this narrative they have wasted. And to make the most out of the one shot they have left, WWE needs to let KO once again become an opportunist who is trying to outsmart a raging monster.

Moreover, WWE could set this up as their plan all along, as Strowman has been roaring with anger waiting to get his hands on Owens for weeks now, KO could use Strowman’s wrath against him by leading the big man into a trap. A trap that would see Owens trying to beat the holy hell out of Strowman, because if “The Monster Among Men” isn't entirely fit to compete in their match, KO will have it easy at Summerslam. This is a plan that should have been executed all along, as it makes the validity deprived KO seem like a genius.

#2 Heyman opens up an ambiguous road

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The last segment that could bring this feud full circle.

Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns is a narrative people have had enough of, as the monotonous promos, repetitive locker room brawls and the entire nature of this fund is extremely lame at this point. However, there is one last thing that needs to be done in this feud, and that is to leave one last lingering question heading into Summerslam, which is whose side is Pual Heyman on?

If you watched the footage of Heyman's excellent interview from last week, you would find that Renee Young asked Heyman if he thinks Reigns can defeat Lesnar, and Heyman reply is a string of genius as he says Lesnar would destroy Reigns, but he leaves the interview saying one last word, "unless." Heyman paints an interesting picture for Summerslam as many believe he will turn on Lesnar for his disastrous actions.

And this week a simple segment between Reigns and Heyman could make this theory gain more traction, as many also believe that Heyman and Lesnar could still be in cahoots and trolling everyone. Whichever road WWE decides to take, this will be a great teaser for Summerslam.

#3 Strong impact by the women's division

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The women of Monday Night Raw need to build up momentum before Summerslam.

One of the reasons why Smackdown Live is kicking Raw's ass at the moment is due to the blue brand's better handling of their women's division. As on Monday Night Raw, the creative team can only book tag team matches and repetitive angles between similar wrestlers each week. However, last week on Raw, the minds behind the broadcast got something right, as they let Ronda Rousey literally destroy Alica Fox in a manner not seen in a long time.

This week WWE need to continue that trend as stars like Ronda Rousey, Alexa Bliss, Sasha Banks, Bayley and The Riott squad need to take center stage, as Summerslam is right around the corner. More than the importance of Summerslam, WWE's first ever women's pay-per-view Evolution requires these superstars to have ample momentum to make the show feel even more remarkable than WWE is making it seem right now.

From Rousey destroying Bliss and her cronies to Sasha Banks and Bayley going after The Riott Squad, WWE needs to make the women have an equal impact on Raw this week.

#4 The Revival win the Raw Tag Team Titles

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Raw needs legitimate champions.

The Raw tag team division has been one of the worst parts of Raw every single week, as the poor booking of the tag teams, the terrible depiction of the Raw Tag Team Champions and no clear direction where any of the teams are heading is absolutely disappointing. But this week on the flagship show, WWE has the opportunity to change that as there is a triple threat tag team title match between The B Team, The Revival and The Deleter of Worlds.

Whether or not this match is exceptional or steaming load of crap, WWE has to get one thing right, a new direction for the Raw tag team division. And the best bet for the revival of the division is to literally put the Raw Tag Team Titles on The Revival, as Dash and Dawson are two of the best wrestlers on the red brand's roster.

Moreover, the fact that WWE could save this division if they started letting world class tag teams compete in serious match-ups is the best part of The Revival winning the titles. As The Revival, The Authors of Pian, a reunited American Alpha, and a rumored Shield could give this division what it needs.

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