'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
From Jinder Mahal's in-ring return to a romance angle being teased between Angel Garza and Charly Caruso, this week's edition of Monday Night RAW featured several contrasting moments.
There are many plot points to talk about from this particular episode, which is good since RAW is notorious for putting up 3-hour episodes with filler content from start-to-finish. But the lack of interesting content is felt throughout the show every week.
SmackDown stays relevant by putting entertaining twists to their weekly content, even if that is good or bad. Despite new developments, RAW seems to have entered a period of stasis since WrestleMania 36 concluded.
Here are the five biggest news stories from this week's episode of WWE RAW (April 27, 2020).
#5: Liv Morgan may have moved past The Riott Squad drama after all
Liv Morgan is easily the most successful member of the Riott Squad ever since the faction broke up.
Last week, Morgan and Ruby Riott fought in a singles match, and Liv proved herself as the better competitor after defeating her former leader.
That could have been the moment where Liv Morgan finally broke free from her past. But Monday Night RAW is the show of rematches, and for some reason, Morgan faced Riott again this week.
This time around, they really emphasized Morgan's dominance over Ruby Riott. After Riott's second consecutive loss, it doesn't look like there is anything further to add to this story.
After the match, Liv was asked about her future in WWE.
While she is still on the path of figuring out her own identity, it looks like Liv Morgan will only be moving towards better things in her career. Sure, Morgan may not be ready to lead an entire division as its top Champion, but at least she can move forward from the Riott Squad drama that was holding her back so far.
#4: Jinder Mahal is back!
The Modern-Day Maharaja, Jinder Mahal returned after recovering from a knee injury that required him to undergo surgery several months ago.
He was last seen competing in a 50-Man Battle Royal at WWE Super ShowDown in 2019.
After a period of speculation throughout the past few weeks, Mahal returned and faced Akira Tozawa in a singles match last night. Jinder performed at a more destructive level as compared to the methodical style of wrestling he had adopted in his most infamous run as the WWE Champion.
We all know that The Maharaja has been one of the most controversial WWE Champions of all time. Fans have heavily criticized his 170-day WWE Title reign in 2017. But over time, its almost as if the man has gained a cult following amongst internet fans.
Right now, RAW needs some interesting characters to create controversy and draw attention on TV.
Mahal is a perfect candidate for that job, and as we all know, Drew McIntyre needs formidable opponents with a solid story for his current title reign. Both Jinder and Drew have past history together, and it will be interesting to see how two members of the 3MB co-exist on the same roster as top stars in 2020.
#3: Nia Jax dominated Shayna Baszler and Asuka before their MITB encounter
From Monday Night RAW, Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, and Asuka have qualified for the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match so far.
So it's only obvious that all three women would fight it out in a triple threat match this week. On paper, a showdown of any kind between Baszler and Jax seems an interesting proposition.
Both of them have been booked as dominant stars during recent episodes. Instead of a match, we got a brawl between Jax, Baszler, and Asuka.
With the help of a ladder, Nia Jax dominated her MITB rivals quickly. It was a good decision on WWE's part to save this match for a later date. Jax has been dubbed as the favorite to win the Women's MITB Ladder Match this year, but we all know that winning the MITB Ladder match - especially a unique one this time around - requires more agility and stamina than strength.
Later in the night, Jax made it clear that nothing can be done to stop her. She screamed at Charly Caruso's face in a way that would make anyone jump from their seats.
#2: Apollo Crews may have got involved in the most promising angle of his career
It's no secret that Apollo Crews has been lost in the shuffle ever since he made his main roster debut.
Crews defeated MVP to qualify for the Men's MITB Ladder Match this year. But even then, Crews wasn't the favorite, to begin with. But last night, his trajectory slightly shifted towards a more interesting path.
Crews won the first match of the night for his team (Rey Mysterio, Aleister Black) against Andrade, Angel Garza, and Austin Theory.
But later in the night, Crews baited Andrade into a singles match for the United States Championship. Apollo Crews suffered a knee injury during the bout, causing the referee to stop any further damage from being done.
When Charly Caruso tried to get a response backstage, Crews was sobbing in tears, perhaps over the fact that a chance at winning the MITB Briefcase as well as the United States Title just slipped away from his hands.
If this is a work, then being unable to compete at the moment might just be his best chance at earning a career resurgence in 2020.
#1: Seth Rollins hinted towards the "big plan" during a Contract Signing segment with Drew McIntyre
What is Seth Rollins' "big plan"?
The Monday Night Messiah has been talking about the "greater good" for so long, that it just seemed to be nothing but heel gibberish at one point.
Last night, Rollins talked about that plan briefly, and how he needs to win the title for the unspecified greater good of the WWE.
Drew McIntyre heard enough of The Architect's lies and slammed his head to prepare for a Claymore. Buddy Murphy aided Seth Rollins out of nowhere, which wasn't expected of him since Rollins' faction has been dissolved as far as we know.
Murphy's appearance was enough for Rollins to escape the WWE Champion's wrath.
McIntyre won't lose the title at this stage, but on the other hand, it would be a bummer if Rollins' "big plan" is nothing but a set of false lies. The fact that Rollins hugged Murphy shows how he may not have followers at all, just like McIntyre stated.
If the ultimate plan is just about Seth Rollins becoming the WWE Champion, that would be an underwhelming conclusion to The Monday Night Messiah's vision.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
