5 Surprises that could happen on RAW 

Last week, RAW put its best foot forward. Not only did Cena and Lesnar return, Hulk Hogan came back as well to pay tribute to 'Mean' Gene Okerlund in a rather touching segment. The ratings saw a rise, albeit not a significant one, to be quite honest. What can RAW do to truly prove to us that we're on the road to WrestleMania?

In this article, I shall suggest 5 surprises. Let me know if you think any of these surprises could take RAW to the next level. Let me know what you'd personally like to see on RAW this week.

I maintain that RAW has one of the most talented rosters in history. It matters what WWE does with the roster on a weekly basis, that keeps the audience hooked to the screen.

With that, I end my prelude and begin my article.

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#5 Bobby Lashley becomes Intercontinental Champion

Could we see the title change hands on this week's show?

WWE announced that Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Bobby Lashley would take each other on in a Triple Threat match for the prestigious Intercontinental Championship. Both Ambrose and Rollins are already well-established WWE superstars. If there's anyone who needs the title to get to the next level, it is the Almighty Bobby Lashley, whose return has been underwhelming.

Lashley also does not need to win the match clean, considering that Lio Rush will be at ringside to offer him his support. But with Lashley as Champion, superstars like Elias could potentially have a title to challenge for. Lashley needs to be rebuilt into the monster that he should have been when he was first signed.

Nobody takes Bobby Lashley seriously anymore. If we want the Lashley vs. Lesnar dream match, this title change needs to happen.

#4 Drew McIntyre writes John Cena out of the Royal Rumble

I'm not yet convinced John Cena will be in the Royal Rumble match

So, last week, we saw John Cena confirm that he will be part of the Royal Rumble match. Soon after, he got into a verbal spat with Drew McIntyre that led to a 6-man tag team match. I am not entirely convinced that John Cena will wrestle in the Royal Rumble.

Earlier, reports had emerged that Cena will miss the Royal Rumble owing to film commitments. I have a feeling that he may take on Drew McIntyre in a match that ends with McIntyre laying out Cena like he laid Ziggler out earlier. This would establish McIntyre as the 'King of The Jungle' that he proudly proclaims he is.

Cena could return at WrestleMania to take on McIntyre. This would be the setup for the big match.

#3 Alexa Bliss returns to wrestling

It's only just a matter of time anyway

We saw Alexa Bliss debut her 'Moment of Bliss' talk show last week. Ronda Rousey was the inaugural guest on the show. All of this may make us think that she has retired from the ring. Bliss could return to the ring as early as this very week.

Alexa Bliss' return would be a much-needed boost to the women's division. The RAW Women's Championship program consists of two babyfaces in Sasha Banks and Ronda Rousey. The rest of the card, like Ember Moon, could benefit from taking a heel like Alexa Bliss on.

Alexa Bliss and a potential partner, say, Alicia Fox, could also set a chain of events into motion that leads to the unveiling of the WWE Women's Tag Team titles. They could feud against the likes of Sasha Banks and Bayley in due course of time.

For any of this to happen, Alexa Bliss needs to return to the ring.

#2 Finn Balor turns heel

Nobody would see this turn coming

Finn Balor's heel turn could happen in this manner on RAW. In the Intercontinental Championship main event on RAW, Seth Rollins may look like he has things under control. And then Finn Balor returns to cost him the big one.

Balor's explanation could be that while he's always putting on great shows, he's left out of title matches, week after week. And this has caused him to snap and unleash his dark side upon the world. Let me explain why this could be the best thing ever for Finn Balor's WWE career.

I think Balor has reached the ceiling to how much he can potentially accomplish as a babyface. As a heel, he could feud with the likes of Seth Rollins and actually move on to the next stage of his WWE career. Else, his career could become quite stale indeed.

#1 Nikki Cross attacks Ronda Rousey, says she's entering the Royal Rumble match

The Twisted Sister of NXT could make her presence felt on this week's show

If you're coming up from NXT, you need to go after the top dog. We saw Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn go straight for John Cena. Both men are top tier WWE superstars at this moment. Nikki Cross needs to go after Ronda Rousey to make an impression.

Sasha Banks and Ronda Rousey will not get into an altercation before their Royal Rumble match, as they are both highly beloved babyfaces. What does Rousey do in the weeks leading up to her match? I think when she's in the ring cutting a promo, Nikki Cross should attack her.

Cross would thereafter proclaim that she is entering the Royal Rumble match. This would be the perfect way to make a big debut.

What do you guys think?