'%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)
In just a few short hours, WWE will invade the World's Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden will host the latest edition of Monday Night RAW. With the show taking place in such a historic building, WWE have put together a huge three-hour event, with plenty already being announced.
Tonight's show will see the return of one of the greatest of all time, as 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin will make his first appearance on the show since RAW Reunion earlier this year. And whilst Austin's return is great, there could be plenty of surprises promised for tonight's festivities, just six days away from this Sunday's Clash of Champions PPV.
Here are five things you need to know before tonight's edition of WWE Monday Night RAW.
#5: A Stone Cold Contract Signing
Last week, Universal Champion Seth Rollins and Braun Strowman were supposed to make their title match official at Clash of Champions, until The OC got in the way. Ripping up the contract, the team of Styles, Gallows and Anderson made their views on the title match clear, though that may be easier said than done tonight.
Tonight, a second contract signing will be held and though last week we had Michael Cole, this week will see 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin moderating the event. Unlike Cole, Austin isn't afraid to get physical, which should negate any interference by the United States Champion or his buddies.
With the Texas Rattlesnake taking control of the contract signing tonight on RAW, it seems that Rollins and Strowman should be safe from any outside interference, though looks can often be deceiving...
#4 Triple Threat to determine's RAW Champion for King of the Ring
The 2019 King of the Ring tournament has entered its final week, and this year's competition has had plenty of surprises (such as Drew McIntyre's first-round elimination), though perhaps no surprise was bigger than what happened last week.
After Baron Corbin qualified for the semi-finals with a win over Cedric Alexander, Ricochet and Samoa Joe battled for the chance to face the former RAW General Manager, though a double-pinfall left everyone confused. Whilst Corbin believed he should get a bye straight to the finals at Clash of Champions, referee John Cone (a man who has had his own issues with Corbin) instead decided that all three men will face off tonight on RAW, in a Triple Threat match.
Though all three men have worked hard to get this far in the tournament, only one will be able to take the next step into the finals at the PPV this Sunday. Who will emerge victorious and challenge either Chad Gable or Elias on Sunday? Tune in to RAW tonight to find out.
#3 WrestleMania foes try to put differences aside for the greater good
At Clash of Champions this Sunday, RAW Women's Champion Becky Lynch will take on Sasha Banks in the Boss' first title match since returning from her hiatus. At that same show, Charlotte Flair will hope the hometown crowd will be able to will her into the history books, as she attempts to become a 10-time Women's Champion against SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley.
Tonight though, Lynch and Flair will team up to take on the recently reunited Boss 'n Hug Connection in tag team action. Of course, Flair and Lynch teaming up is easier said than done, as the pair have remained rivals over the past year, battling last year over the blue brand's women's title.
Earlier this year, The Man defeated both the Queen and Ronda Rousey in the first-ever Women's main event in WrestleMania history, and this is something Flair won't have forgotten. It'll be interesting to see whether the pair can stay on the same page tonight, just six days away from two huge title matches at Clash of Champions.
#2 Mysterio returns to the ring for a first-ever encounter
Rey Mysterio has had a difficult 2019 to say the least. After being destroyed at WrestleMania, Mysterio won the United States title (and the WWE's Grand Slam in the process) with a controversial victory over Samoa Joe, only to be forced to forfeit the title mere days later.
After losing two straight falls in a two out of three falls match against Andrade a few weeks ago, it seemed the former World Champion was ready to hang up his mask for good, until the timely save by his son Dominick, who urged his father to keep going. Tonight, the masked marvel will take on a foe who knows all about high flying in and out of the ring -- Gran Metalik.
Though he's a member of the Lucha House Party, Metalik is yet to have that big breakout performance on Monday Night RAW, and a victory over arguably the greatest masked Superstar tonight could be that win.
Who will meet in this battle of old school vs. new school? Find out tonight on RAW on the USA Network.
#1 Is the Texas Rattlesnake prey for the Fiend?
I earlier wrote about how the moderation of Stone Cold Steve Austin in tonight's Universal title contract signing should ward off any would-be intruders, but that doesn't seem to apply for everyone in WWE. Since his return to WWE earlier this year, Bray Wyatt has been an unstoppable force, laying out everyone he has chosen to attack, and recently set his sights on the Universal title.
With The Fiend issuing a challenge to whoever the Universal Champion is after Clash of Champions, it makes sense that Wyatt would have a vested interest in tonight's contract signing, and could even target the Bionic redneck himself. On Twitter, Wyatt hinted at shedding the Rattlesnake's skin saying:
Could Wyatt be planning an attack on the Rattlesnake, and possibly even the BeastSlayer and the Monster Among Men? It'd certainly be a risky move, but one that could pay off in a major way for The Fiend if he was successful.
Whatever happens, it seems tonight's contract signing will definitely be something to keep fans watching throughout the night.
