'%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)
SummerSlam has just concluded and the future is open to many possibilities. We have a brand new Universal Champion and a new Intercontinental Champion. We also have a new RAW Women's Champion in Rowdy Ronda Rousey. Which brings us to the RAW after SummerSlam 2018.
If booked right, this could be the RAW of the year, in my humble estimation. SummerSlam has opened the gateway for many pathways, all of which could transpire during the show. I shall explore some of these possibilities, in this very article.
Let me know in the comments below which of these you deem likely. Also let me know if you believe any of these will actually take place during the show.
Here is how I believe this show may play out...
#5 Braun Strowman cashes in, becomes the Universal Champion
Every champion has a target on his or her back. Now if this target is being aimed at by a near 7 foot monster, with a Money in the Bank contract, you may be in some trouble. In my estimation, Roman Reigns needs to watch out, now that he is the new Universal Champion. Because Braun Strowman will constantly be on his trail.
Could Strowman cash in his contract on RAW and become the new Universal Champion, bringing Reigns' reign to a quick and rather untimely end? I certainly think that this is possible and with more eyes on the product than usual, WWE may want to go down this route, in front of a post SummerSlam crowd. It would certainly shake the product up quite significantly.
Not everyone seemed all that pleased when Roman Reigns won the Universal Championship at SummerSlam. This could be a feel good moment for them.
#4 Finn Balor invokes his Universal Championship contractual rematch
Usually, when you score a big win at a pay-per-view, it qualifies you for a title shot. Finn Balor made short work of Constable Baron Corbin at SummerSlam, and one would assume it moves him up to do bigger and better things. Could he challenge Roman Reigns and invoke his overdue Universal Championship rematch?
In case you don't remember, Finn Balor was the first ever Universal Champion. He never received his rematch, even when he returned from injury. He was not considered to be a believable opponent against Brock Lesnar, according to the rumour mill, at the time.
Now that he is back in the mix, I am intrigued to see where he can go from here. I think because he's back in full swing, in the Demon Avatar, he could certainly challenge Roman Reigns.
Even if Balor doesn't win the Universal Championship, it will be a definite step up for the man!
#3 Lars Sullivan takes out Brock Lesnar, for good!
There's usually an NXT call up or two, right after SummerSlam. Could Lars Sullivan be called up to align with Paul Heyman? This could establish him as the new beast, especially if Heyman orders him to take out his former client, Brock Lesnar. And then, Heyman could lead Sullivan to both gold and glory.
And Sullivan may not even be the only call up. I have a feeling another person may be waiting in the wings...
#2 Ronda Rousey faces her toughest challenger
A lot of people were surprised by Shayna Baszler losing to Kairi Sane at TakeOver. Many of our own readers speculated that she may be coming up to the main roster soon. If so, expect her to enter into a feud with Ronda Rousey immediately.
Both of them could enchant the audience with a fabulous display of grappling. It would also be a very unique contest, the likes of which haven't been seen in the women's division, while Bliss was champion. Baszler is also great on the microphone, so she can cover Rousey's shortcomings, quite easily.
You know you want to see this feud. This has the makings of a fantastic program.
#1 The Total Fellas are challenged by the Authors of Pain
Cast Goldberg to the side, folks. Forget about Asuka, readers. The B-Team are undefeated on RAW and on pay-per-view, and they seem ready to conquer the world. But what if their streak is broken by the Authors of Pain, on RAW this week?
Theirs is the perfect fairy tale story. A tale of redemption and beating the odds, time and again. But we all know even fairy tales have to end someday, sometime.
And the brick wall in their path could be The Authors of Pain. After all, they've been kept out of the title picture for far too long.
Leave a comment and let us know your opinions!
