5 things you need to know before tonight's WWE Monday Night RAW (March 11th, 2019)

The Animal will meet with his mentor Triple H tonight.
The Animal will meet with his mentor Triple H tonight.

In just a few hours, the PPG Arena in Pittsburgh, PA, will play host to the latest edition of Monday Night RAW.

With Fastlane now firmly in the rear-view mirror, we are just weeks away from WrestleMania 35, which is already shaping up to be the most exciting show of the year.

Before the showcase of the immortals though, the men and women of the red brand will need to get through tonight,

A huge title match has already been announced for tonight's event, as well as the return of the Animal Batista, two weeks after his shocking return at the expense of Ric Flair.

With so much already announced, and still plenty of surprises left, tonight's show should be can't-miss.

Here are five things you need to know before tonight's edition of WWE Monday Night RAW.


#5 What's next for the Man, the Queen, and the Champion?

Lynch was given a DQ victory last night over Charlotte Flair, thanks to Ronda Rousey.
Lynch was given a DQ victory last night over Charlotte Flair, thanks to Ronda Rousey.

Last night at Fastlane, Becky Lynch was re-entered into the RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania 35, though not the way she wanted.

After battling against long-term nemesis Charlotte Flair, it was Ronda Rousey who made the difference, getting the DQ victory for the Irish Superstar.

With the WrestleMania match now confirmed to be a Triple Threat, the WWE Universe has been left wondering just who will walk away from the show of shows as RAW Women's Champion.

After a shocking video by the UFC Hall of Famer, the lines of what is real and what is a story have been blurred like never before.

What will Lynch, Rousey, and Flair have to say tonight on RAW, just weeks away from the trio's biggest match of all time?

#4 Balor to defend Intercontinental gold tonight

The Extraordinary Man is facing a tall order when he takes on the former champion.
The Extraordinary Man is facing a tall order when he takes on the former champion.

WWE Fastlane 2019 is probably a night that Bobby Lashley would want to forget, after teaming with Baron Corbin and Drew McIntyre against The Shield.

And though the team came up short against Rollins, Reigns, and Ambrose, Lashley is hoping to have a much better night tonight, when he takes on Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor.

It was Balor after all, who took the gold from the former ECW Champion at Elimination Chamber, a delight to many fans who have felt that the Irishman has been underutilized since joining the main roster as part of the 2016 brand extension.

Will the Extraordinary man's reign continue, or will this Cinderella story strike midnight courtesy of the Almighty Bobby Lashley?

And what factor will Lio Rush play in tonight's huge title match?

#3 The Divas of Doom

Beth Phoenix and Natalya were left reeling after being attacked by Nia Jax and Tamina at Fastlane.
Beth Phoenix and Natalya were left reeling after being attacked by Nia Jax and Tamina at Fastlane.

For some of our fans who haven't been watching as long, the Divas of Doom was the team of Beth Phoenix and Natalya, who ran roughshod over the women's division in 2011.

Remaining close friends after the Glamazon's retirement the next year, it was Natalya who inducted Phoenix into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

It was the same Canadian who also came to Beth's assistance after she was ambushed by Nia Jax and Tamina last night at Fastlane after the pair came up short against the Women's Tag Team Champions Bayley and Sasha Banks.

What will Jax and Tamina have to say for themselves when they appear on RAW tonight?

And will the Glamazon be looking at a return to the ring alongside Natalya, just in time for WrestleMania?

#2 Where do the hounds of justice go from here?

In their final match together as a team, Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns dominated last night.
In their final match together as a team, Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns dominated last night.

Last night, the team of Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins reunited one last time as the Shield.

Collectively, the group dispatched Baron Corbin, Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre in what the commentary touted as the last match featuring the Hounds of Justice.

It certainly seems the case, as Rollins now sets his sights on Universal Champion Brock Lesnar, whom he will meet in 27 days at WrestleMania 35.

And with Ambrose confirmed to be leaving the company after the showcase of the immortals, it seems the incredible team of former World Champions are indeed done for good.

But before he departs, Ambrose will be hoping for one last WrestleMania match, as will the Big Dog, both of whom have yet to find opponents.

#1 The Animal to come face-to-face with his mentor

Expect tensions to boil over when these two legends of WWE meet face-to-face tonight.
Expect tensions to boil over when these two legends of WWE meet face-to-face tonight.

Two weeks ago, the Animal Batista made his shocking return to Monday Night RAW, ambushing his mentor and friend Ric Flair.

Flair, who had been celebrating his 70th birthday, was left a broken heap by Batista, who asked Triple H if he had his attention now?

He certainly did, as the Game invited Batista to RAW last week, and the two will meet in person tonight.

With WrestleMania around the corner, a match between the two seems guaranteed, a rematch of their WrestleMania 21 bout.

And whilst that was the night that the beloved Batista emerged from his mentor's shadow, now the tables have turned.

The Game is looking for vengeance for the Nature Boy, and may not wait until WrestleMania when he and the Animal meet tonight.

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