'%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 Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins facing-off after the main event to AJ Styles earning a spot for this year's Money in the Bank Ladder Match, this week's edition of WWE RAW featured several contrasting moments.
Out of all available options, RAW needs a quick dose of entertainment to stay relevant in times like these. People are desperately searching for entertainment media out of sheer boredom right now. However, three hours of wrestling content without any gripping storylines don't necessarily encourage people to watch WWE RAW.
That being said, last night's episode wasn't bad by any means. But viewership will keep decreasing if the show doesn't include some out-of-the-box ideas to stand out.
Here are the five biggest news stories from this week's episode of WWE RAW (May 4, 2020).
#5: Edge and Randy Orton will return to RAW next week
Relying on part-timers has never been a long-term strategy for WWE. However, Edge and Randy Orton's WWE return will certainly spice things up after the upcoming Money in the Bank pay-per-view.
The last time we saw both men, Edge and Randy Orton were battling in an exhausting Last Man Standing Match at WrestleMania 36.
It is no secret that these Superstars mastered the art of promos during the buildup to their WrestleMania match, and even though the bout itself received mixed reactions, Edge and Randy Orton may redeem themselves in a better WWE rematch in the future.
After the Showcase of Immortals, Monday Night RAW saw a noticeable dip in star power. With AJ Styles' return, as well as Edge and Randy Orton coming back next week, RAW should be a more newsworthy show to watch.
It is good to see that a young crop of WWE Superstars have received sufficient TV time since RAW relocated to the Performance Center. But at the end of the day, entertainment and star-power in WWE sell more than a tag team match with lesser stakes involved.
#4: Charlotte Flair defeated Liv Morgan ahead of her NXT Women’s Title defense against Io Shirai
This Wednesday, Charlotte Flair will defend her NXT Women's Title against Io Shirai on WWE NXT.
The Queen's appearance was WWE's way of advertising the upcoming match itself. After all, Liv Morgan had been booked as an up-and-coming force for the past two weeks, where she picked up consecutive victories against Ruby Riott, her former leader in WWE.
So it was odd to see that she was fed to Charlotte Flair, which automatically reverses the effect of her push from previous RAW episodes. Don't get me wrong, it is an honor to lose to Charlotte at this stage. Flair has been the top dog of the WWE Women's Division for a long time now, and Morgan isn't completely ready to be pushed into a RAW Women's Title match against Becky Lynch.
However, this 50/50 booking scenario is one of the inferior aspects of WWE's Red brand. Due to winning and losing matches at a random pace, Liv Morgan ends up being at the same spot every week.
On the plus side, she put up a fight against the NXT Women's Champion, even though we all knew the latter competitor was going to win this bout.
#3: AJ Styles returned to WWE after being "buried alive" at WrestleMania 36
After losing to The Undertaker in WWE's undeniably creative Boneyard Match at WrestleMania 36, AJ Styles returned to RAW in a Gauntlet Match this week.
It becomes easier to believe that Styles "rose from the dead" if Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson pulled him from the grave after The Undertaker left. Otherwise, WWE can always pull the "emergency medical team" card to justify how AJ Styles is even alive right now.
Regardless, WWE hosted a Gauntlet Match to determine the final male entrant for this year's Corporate MITB Ladder Match.
Styles was the surprise final entrant. He pinned Humberto Carrillo to secure the victory. Undoubtedly, The Phenomenal One is a clear favorite to win the briefcase this year.
We know that heels in WWE always end up being more interesting MITB winners than babyfaces. With that being said, there are only two heel competitors competing on the men's side of things this Sunday, and out of King Corbin and AJ Styles, the latter pick seems like a better choice right now.
#2: The Viking Raiders defeated The Street Profits in a hard-fought battle
On this week's RAW, Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) faced The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) in a non-title match.
The story here is that The Viking Raiders have always been one step ahead of the current RAW Tag Team Champions. So to The Street Profits, it is almost as if they have been catching up to The Viking Raiders despite being the champions on WWE RAW.
Both teams put on an entertaining bout last night. They looked equally matched until The Viking Raiders proved their dominance and picked up a victory against the RAW Tag Team Champions.
The challengers should be up for a title match against The Street Profits soon, and that could happen at WWE's Money in the Bank pay-per-view this Sunday.
Whether or not this feud appeals to fans at all, WWE did a good job by establishing The Viking Raiders as a superior challenge for the Street Profits right now. On the other hand, Shane Thorne & Brendan Vink derailed the momentum of Ricochet & Cedric Alexander as well.
It was certainly an unexpected night for the RAW Tag Team Division this week.
#1: Seth Rollins escaped from his own ambush against Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre has been an unstoppable force since winning the WWE Championship from Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 36.
Not only did he overcome the threat of Zelina Vega's faction a few weeks ago, but The Scottish Champion has been one step ahead of Seth Rollins since their feud began on RAW.
After last week's twist where Murphy reunited with Rollins, McIntyre fought Murphy in this episode's main event. As expected, McIntyre defeated The Monday Night Messiah's disciple, but it was after the match, where Rollins ambushed the WWE Champion from behind.
Even then, McIntyre regained control and prepared to deliver a Claymore to his MITB opponent. Rollins escaped the scene, and before you know it, The Chosen One proved that he has been several steps ahead of Seth Rollins all along.
If this feud is to become more interesting, then the only possible route here is for WWE to start executing Rollins' "big plan" at Money in the Bank.
Otherwise, McIntyre will most likely retain his title this Sunday, and Rollins would go down as a blip in the WWE Champion's current reign.
One of Samoa Joe's colleagues had harsh words for him HERE
