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It's the second RAW after SummerSlam and the build to Extreme Rules 2021 has officially begun. Last week's episode of the Red brand didn't see any major returns or debuts that have come to be expected, but it didn't seem to matter as much.
RAW was great last week and entertaining throughout. Quite a few new rivalries have begun, while a heartbreaking break-up took place as well. The fallout should result in yet another interesting episode.
We don't expect the marquee Extreme Rules matches to be from the Monday night show, but there will be important feuds nonetheless. Here are some big surprises that could take place:
#5. Bobby Lashley vs. Sheamus to have an unexpected outcome on RAW
Last week on RAW, Bobby Lashley opened the show and bragged about his victory over Goldberg. He didn't want to take responsibility for attacking the latter's son Gage either. He was confronted by United States Champion Damian Priest, which led to a singles Champion vs. Champion match.
With Sheamus' interference, things broke down and it resulted in a tag team match between Priest and Drew McIntyre against Bobby Lashley and The Celtic warrior. It was all going well, but Lashley decided to ditch his partner mid-match and walked away.
This led to McIntyre getting the Claymore Kick and pin on Sheamus. Later on the show, the former US Champion was seen backstage with Bobby Lashley, furiously storming into his locker room.
The two had to be kept apart, but it was later announced that they would face off on RAW this week. Lashley and Sheamus have faced off before WrestleMania, with The All Mighty getting the pin and win.
But a big surprise would be if The Celtic Warrior wins and emerges as the next WWE title challenger. The company rarely does heel vs. heel feuds, but since Roman Reigns' match will likely headline Extreme Rules, it won't matter as much.
Extreme Rules doesn't look like it will be Bobby Lashley's most important title defense.
#4. Doudrop faces Eva Marie on RAW, but is the result that predictable?
Doudrop faces Eva Marie in their blowoff match on RAW this week. SummerSlam seemed to be the official end of their partnership as the former announced Marie as the loser of her match against Alexa Bliss.
The following night on RAW, she seemed to have taken to her new name well, forgoing the "Piper Niven" name. She was attacked by Marie backstage in the middle of an interview, cementing their break-up.
This week, the experienced Doudrop takes on the smaller and inexperienced Eva Marie. One would think that a squash match in favor of Doudrop is what will happen.
But knowing WWE and how things usually play out on the Red brand, there's a large possibility that Marie uses sneaky tactics to win. This will be highly controversial at first because fans will likely think that she doesn't deserve to win over the newer superstar Doudrop.
With that said, it may not be the worst move to make on RAW. It will undoubtedly get big heat on Eva Marie, which is exactly what WWE wants.
#3. A heel turn on the horizon on RAW?
Mustafa Ali had doubts about whether Mansoor could take out Jinder Mahal on RAW. Ali accompanied him, but none of that proved enough as he couldn't get the job done.
While Mansoor technically won via disqualification, it wasn't the way he wanted it to play out. After the match, Ali gave Mansoor a look of disapproval, telling him that he needs to start listening.
He might be right, but what if Mansoor doesn't want to listen? Things could play out in a more complicated way on RAW. While the story seems to be heading towards a tag team partnership between the two superstars, WWE could end the partnership before it even starts.
It could play out one of two ways - either Mansoor continues to ignore Mustafa Ali's advice and eventually turns on him, or Ali gets sick of the former disobeying him and turns on him instead.
Either way, it would be a bit too early. But it would be a big surprise for RAW since there aren't that many lately.
#2. The Miz's turn on John Morrison takes an unexpected direction on RAW
Last week on RAW, John Morrison hosted Logan Paul on Moist TV. The Miz came out as well and there was obvious tension that was lingering between the two former tag team champions.
The A-Lister essentially carried the segment, while Paul didn't know what to do about the crowd booing him. It resulted in a match between Xavier Woods and The Miz, where the latter lost.
Sick and tired of Morrison, the former WWE Champion ended their partnership by turning on him and hitting the Skull Crushing Finale. John Morrison is now a babyface. While WWE advertised the two facing off this week on RAW, that could be canceled.
Looking at the company's official website, they've removed any mention of a Miz vs. Morrison match. It will be interesting to see why they held back on it. However, what would be more interesting is if The Miz starts apologizing and tries to get back with John Morrison.
This would, of course, be a bit of a longer storyline on RAW. But it would be a big change from traditional break-up storylines in WWE.
#1. Alexa Bliss vs. Charlotte Flair happens sooner than expected on RAW?
Charlotte Flair enjoyed all the spoils of victory on the Red brand after reclaiming the RAW Women's Championship at SummerSlam. With Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley seemingly moving in a different direction, there was space for a new challenger for Flair.
Alexa Bliss, who The Queen has faced before at Survivor Series a few years ago, came out to confront her. This instantly began the next RAW Women's Championship feud.
It's also the first time in a while that Bliss will be entering singles title contention again. She hasn't won the RAW Women's Championship or any singles title since the summer of 2018.
Since then, a lot of her focus was on the Women's tag team titles, which she won twice. Things have been different for Alexa Bliss since 2020 on SmackDown and then on RAW.
A surprise would be if WWE decides to hold the match on the Red brand and make it a TV feud rather than having it culminate at Extreme Rules 2021. Will Bliss manage to win her first singles title in three years?
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