5 things you need to know before tonight's WWE Monday Night RAW (December 10th, 2018)

We are just hours away from the final RAW before WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs, and the men and women of Monday Nights have a lot to prove.

Whilst the Universal Champion Brock Lesnar may be AWOL, once again, the RAW roster is still standing tall with champions such as Seth Rollins, Ronda Rousey and the Authors of Pain all helping to carry the company's A-Show.

With the final pay per view of the year looming, the Raw Superstars will be hoping to build a wave of momentum to shine on this last hurrah, in what has been an epic year for the company.

But before they make it to TLC, the Superstars of Monday Night RAW need to survive tonight's show, with plenty already being promised.

Here are five things you absolutely need to know before the December 10th, 2018 episode of WWE Monday Night RAW.

#5 Heath Slater starts his new job

After forcing his friend to be fired, Slater was told he would be a referee from now on.

Last week, Acting RAW General Manager Baron Corbin tore a team in two, making Heath Slater and Rhyno battle each other, in a match where the loser would be fired.

Whilst Slater emerged the winner, Corbin still punished the One Man Band, making him a referee, instead of an in-ring Superstar.

This demotion must definitely have hurt the esteem of Slater, who was already feeling low after costing his best friend his job.

Tonight though, the newest member of the WWE referee team will have his first opportunity to prove himself, in the Constable has him officiate a match.

Slater may not exactly be pleased with his new career path, but a job's a job. As we all know by now, he's got kids to feed.

#4 Table for two, ahead of TLC

The Riott Squad decimated Natalya last week, punishing her with a table.

A few months ago, Riott broke the sunglasses of Natalya's father, Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart, who passed earlier this year, in a clear sign of disrespect to the former Tag Champion, his daughter, and the entire Hart family.

Since then, Natalya has made it her mission to destroy Riott and may do just that when they meet this Sunday in a Tables match.

But last week, Natalya got taken out by the Riott Squad, with Ruby planting her through a Table, much to the horror of the WWE Universe.

Whilst the Canadian has a chance to get vengeance for all Riott has done, will she be able to wait until their match this Sunday?

#3 The Scottish Terminator strikes again

Whilst he defeated Jinder Mahal last week, Balor was later assaulted by McIntyre.

When Drew McIntyre turned on Dolph Ziggler last week, no-one was that surprised.

McIntyre has been an absolute beast since returning to WWE last year, and it's clear that he intends for no-one to stand in his way.

But after coming up short last week, thanks to Finn Balor, the Scottish Psychopath ambushed the Irishman backstage in a heinous assault.

Now, McIntyre and Ziggler are destined to clash at TLC, in what will be an explosive and entertaining match between the two former NXT Champions.

It's clear that these two can't stand each other, so expect a collision tonight.

And if there is one, who knows what role Dolph Ziggler will have in it.

Whoever wins this Sunday, will definitely have a rightful claim to a WWE Universal title shot somewhere down the line.

#2 A Blissful Press Conference

What devious scheme does the head of the RAW division have planned for tonight?

Ever since becoming the head of the RAW Women's Division, Alexa Bliss has been no strangers to abusing her power to get what she wants, often at the expense of Sasha Banks and Bayley.

But for all her shortcomings (pardon the pun), Bliss has also given the WWE Universe a voice, with regular open forums, allowing the fans to speak directly to the Superstars.

Tonight, the petite powerhouse continues this, as she will host a pre-TLC press conference, where fans can ask her about the women's division on Twitter with the hashtag #AskAlexa

With two RAW Women's matches announced for the final Pay Per View of 2018, (both a title match and a tables match), there is bound to be plenty discussed when the Blissful head gets handed a microphone tonight on RAW.

#1 Has Dean Ambrose already won?

Ambrose's physical and mental attacks have taken their toll on Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins.

In possibly the most personal match in TLC history, Dean Ambrose will hope to take the Intercontinental Championship from his former Shield-brother, Seth Rollins.

Since Ambrose turned on the Architect in October, the Lunatic Fringe has waged a war of mind-games, including burning his Shield garb, as well as appearing last week in a gas mask, accompanied by a SWAT team.

We all know that Rollins has been cool, calm and collected in the past, but these constant psychological games must be wearing the champion down.

And if Ambrose is in the head of his opponent, Dean may have already won the match, before even lacing up his boots.

Expect Ambrose to continue his bizarre antics tonight on Monday Night RAW, just days before the pair battle for the coveted Intercontinental Championship.