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WWE delivered a solid go-home show for the upcoming WWE TLC PPV, hitting all the right notes before the big event. The matches in the PPV were given the final touches, and the Superstars involved were given the time to make their intentions clear.
The PPV is going to be a hard-hitting one and the main-event promises to be one for the ages. The final episode saw a massive return of Kane, who was last seen on Smackdown Live last year.
The main event of the PPV also went through some drastic changes, with a 3-on-4 matchup changing to a 3-on-5 encounter. We look at the five biggest takeaways from this episode of Monday Night Raw.
#5 Mickie James has still got it!
Mickie James returned to WWE in February this year, aligning herself with Alexa Bliss and helping her defeat Becky Lynch. James was sidelined since then, working minor feuds and multi-women matches. She worked against Asuka last year in NXT and received rave reviews, proving her worthiness in the ring.
James is one of the most decorated women's wrestlers of all time, having won the championship six times. She was given a title opportunity against Alexa Bliss at TLC and the build-up to the match hasn't disappointed.
She was termed as "An Old Lady" by Alexa, but she has proven otherwise, pinning Alexa in the tag-team match in today's episode of RAW. Mickie James may be 37, but she still has some of the best skills in the women's division right now.
#4 Neville's continued absence
Rumours arose last week about Neville's exit from WWE and his absence from WWE programming is solidifying those claims. Neville was reportedly angry with his booking, which led to him walking out of the company last week. He was absent from every house show in the previous week, and the trend continued tonight on RAW.
Neville is one of the best in-ring talents WWE have at their disposal, and his exit could leave a big void in the Cruiserweight Division. Neville was left out of the Wrestlemania 33 DVD as well, and many sources have reported that this was a prime reason for the departure.
"The Man That Gravity Forgot" is still present on WWE's site and also listed as an active performer but he has been conspicuous by his absence.
The former "King of Cruiserweights" is arguably the Superstar of 2017, carrying the whole Cruiserweight Division on his back and delivering quality matches from time to time. His exit could be a sad moment for the Cruiserweight Division and WWE as a whole.
#3 A cosplay at TLC
When Bray Wyatt first mentioned Sister Abigail, questions arose about who could be playing the mystical character on WWE television. Fans speculated the return of Paige or Summer Rae to play the haunted character of Sister Abigail.
However, when it was revealed that Bray Wyatt himself will be Sister Abigail, the WWE Universe was perplexed.
Finn Balor has brought out his alter ego, The Demon, on quite a few occasions in WWE. WWE has tried to even out the odds and bring a new dynamic to the stale storyline by having Bray Wyatt bring out his alter ego as well.
"The Eater of World" is going to be wrestling in a drag at TLC and Balor is bringing out a new Demon for the encounter. A creepy matchup is a different and new decision by the WWE but the way it has played out till now has been a disappointment for the fanbase.
#2 The Shield are well and truly back!
The Shield officially returned last week and took out The Miz and Braun Strowman, bringing back old memories. The triple powerbomb returned, and "The Hounds of Justice" were back on the hunt. A massive matchup against The Miz, The Bar, and Strowman was announced for TLC last week.
Fans were curious to see if The Shield would bring back the old attire and music for their second coming, and WWE gave the fans exactly what they wanted. The opening segment saw The Shield enter through the crowds once again, with their old music leading them to the ring.
"The Hounds of Justice" are going to be a big part of WWE moving forward.
#1 Kane returns
The Miz announced on MizTV that he intends to bring in a fifth Superstar on his team for the match against Shield at TLC. Kurt Angle was sceptical of the decision but gave him the green light provided Strowman defeats Reigns in the steel cage match.
Curtis Axel was supposedly going to be the fifth member, but Miz announced that the fifth surprise Superstar was not to be Axel.
During the matchup between Reigns and Strowman, the lights turned red, and Kane appeared out of nowhere from beneath the ring. The return of "The Big Red Monster" was a big surprise for the fans, and he seems to have aligned himself with "The Monster Among Men".
Kane and Strowman are seemingly going to be working together, and this could spell disaster for not only The Shield but the whole roster of RAW.
It seems Kane is back to avenge his 'brother' The Undertaker's loss at the hands of Reigns if the rumor mill is anything to go by.
