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Welcome to this week's edition of things WWE subtly told us on RAW. We're eight days removed from WrestleMania 37, and the company is building towards WrestleMania Backlash 2021.
It wasn't a strong episode of RAW, but a few things stood out. The problem with the show was its overall lack of pace and storyline progression. Another weak point was the absence of a major return/debut.
Either way, here are a few things that WWE subtly told us on RAW.
#5 Is Braun Strowman quietly entering the WWE Title picture on RAW?
While Braun Strowman teased being in WWE Title contention before WrestleMania, he lost the opportunity on RAW last week to Drew McIntyre. Tonight, McIntyre had a busy night.
First, he demanded an explanation from MVP on RAW. MVP made it clear that Mace and T-BAR are not a part of The Hurt Business, and that they were people doing the dirty work on their own.
After an attack on Drew McIntyre by former RETRIBUTION members in the opening segment, the Scotsman told Adam Pearce to book a handicap match, despite the latter insisting on a Tag Team bout.
When it finally happened in the last hour of RAW, things started to break down and we thought McIntyre was in for another beatdown. Thankfully, Braun Strowman came out to make the save.
It resulted in a tag-team match that ended in a DQ after Drew McIntyre couldn't stop attacking Mace. In what was perhaps the most interesting part of RAW this week, Mace was unmasked. After the match was done, T-Bar also lost his mask thanks to Strowman.
Of course, Mace was Dio Maddin and T-Bar was Dominik Dijakvoic.
While it's good that the two big men are getting pushed, the story is less than fascinating.
What WWE subtly told us, however, is the possibility of Braun Strowman quietly entering the WWE Title picture despite his loss last week.
#4 The Women's Tag Team Title picture remains chaotic on RAW
The Women's Tag Team Title picture was the most heavily featured one on RAW and SmackDown, but there was no payoff at WrestleMania 37.
Post-WrestleMania on SmackDown, Natalya, and Tamina seemed poised to be next in line for a title shot.
However, things have changed on RAW. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler faced Lana and Naomi this week, and it was Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke who came out to remind Nia about her "slip" on two occasions last week.
Jax left the match and chased them, allowing Lana and Naomi to double-team and pin Shayna Baszler. This means there are now two to three teams involved, just like at WrestleMania.
Backstage on RAW, Shayna Baszler threatened Nia Jax to get her act together. Angel Garza then approached the champ and trashed Reginald. He seems interested in The Irresistible Force, meaning that yet another romantic storyline with Nia Jax has begun on RAW.
#3 A change in feuds for Riddle on RAW?
Randy Orton was originally scheduled to face Braun Strowman for the first time on RAW. Many were looking forward to seeing the match this week.
However, the match was changed and The Viper faced Riddle instead. Orton did his best to make The Original Bro look good, and even put over the former United States Champion.
It was a bit of a fluke victory, but it was a win nonetheless. Orton looked puzzled, and so did Riddle as he walked back up the ramp.
It seemed like Riddle would go after the United States Championship after losing it at WrestleMania, but that doesn't appear to be the case anymore.
Sheamus seems to have started his own version of the Open Challenge and at the moment, it seems unlikely that The Original Bro will answer it soon.
It will be interesting to see if Orton's feud with Riddle will be extended and we will get a proper payoff at Backlash.
#2 What lies ahead for Alexa Bliss on RAW?
Alexa Bliss has been an important figure on RAW ever since The Fiend was written out at TLC 2020. She took over the feud against Randy Orton, and it carried all the way until WrestleMania and ended in just a few minutes.
Bliss then cost 'The Fiend' the match - and it was a big indicator that she was done with him. There weren't many questions answered on the RAW after WrestleMania. But this week, Alexa Bliss went into a bit more detail.
She explained that Lily has been with her since childhood, and narrated a small story about how Lily "told her" to push a kid off a swing and take her ice cream.
In what was perhaps a big moment of clarity on RAW, Alexa Bliss explained that Lily didn't like "him" (The Fiend), nor does she like anybody else in the locker room.
Thus, WWE indicated that Alexa Bliss will return to the singles competition on RAW.
#1 The RAW Women's Championship and Charlotte Flair's ruthlessness
The main event on RAW was a WrestleMania 34 rematch between Asuka and Charlotte Flair. Rhea Ripley was at ringside too.
The three women had a promo earlier in the night, and Charlotte Flair came away as the biggest star.
The Queen has always been better as a heel, but ever since her return to RAW last week, there has been an added edge to her character.
The match against Asuka ended in defeat, surprisingly. Rhea Ripley's distraction allowed the Japanese star to get a quick roll-up and a rare victory over her arch-rival.
Post-match, Charlotte Flair viciously attacked the referee. RAW ended with Flair being forced to stop her brutal assault.
After RAW, it was announced that Charlotte had been fined and suspended indefinitely for her attack on the referee.
It will be exciting to see how things play out. Despite what happened on this week's RAW, WWE isn't giving up on the idea of Charlotte getting involved in the title picture.
A triple threat looks to be on the cards for WrestleMania Backlash.
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