Monday Night RAW - 5 things you need to know before tonight's WWE RAW (March 4th, 2019)

In just a few hours, the city of brotherly love will turn violent, as Philadelphia hosts the latest instalment of Monday Night RAW.

As we continue on the road to WrestleMania, this will be the final pit stop for the men and women of the Red brand before this Sunday's Fastlane pay per view.

Fastlane will certainly be the place to be this Sunday, as it'll be the final chance for Superstars to show their mettle on pay per view, before what is already a stacked WrestleMania.

But before Fastlane, the RAW roster will have the chance to prove themselves tonight, with some huge announcements already made.

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: The Animal and the Game

Batista brutalied Ric Flair last week, in an effort to get the attention of Triple H.

Last week should've been one of the best nights of Ric Flair's life, as he celebrated his 70th birthday.

Instead, the Nature Boy was left broken at the hands of Batista, who has returned to WWE, seemingly with an ax to grind with his old mentor, and student of Flair, Triple H.

It's safe to say that the Animal, who last competed in WWE nearly five years ago, certainly has the attention of the Game, who raced backstage to aid the 16-time World Heavyweight Champion.

Batista and Triple H are no strangers, either as friends in Evolution, or as opponents, as it was a young, hungry Animal who dethroned Triple H at WrestleMania 21.

With the show of shows drawing near, will the Game have the chance to avenge his loss, and his mentor?

4: Saturday Night RAW?

Jost and Che will bring their unique brand of

humor

to the Wells Fargo Center tonight.

For over four decades, Saturday Night Live has entertained millions around the world with comedic sketches and satirical looks at current events, as well as entertaining musical acts.

And tonight, two of the show's most popular stars, Michael Che and Colin Jost will bring their own unique brand of humor to the city of brotherly love for Monday Night RAW.

Part of SNL's weekly update segments, neither Che nor Jost have never been afraid to speak their minds, with members of the WWE Universe wondering who the pair will target with their hilarious verbal barbs.

There's no shortage or targets on the RAW roster for the duo of Che and Jost to poke fun at, though they may have to tread carefully, or risk ending up leaving Philadelphia in an ambulance.

3: The Queen sets her sights on the RAW Women's Championship

The Queen brutalized Ronda Rousey in their last encounter at Survivor Series.

She may have been the runner up in the 2019 Women's Royal Rumble match, but Charlotte Flair is still going on to WrestleMania 35.

Appointed the replacement of the suspended Becky Lynch, Flair will meet RAW Women's Champion Ronda Rousey, who has been dominant since joining the company last year.

A rematch of their war at Survivor Series, the match is sure to be epic, with the rumor being that Lynch will make it a triple threat.

Before the showcase of the immortals though, Flair will make her presence known tonight on RAW, and will no-doubt be her confident self.

The only woman to hold the Divas Championship, as well as the NXT, RAW and SmackDown Women's Championships, the Queen has a right to be confident heading into Mania.

2: The Extraordinary Man's reign continues

Balor has been on fire since capturing the Intercontinental title from Bobby Lashley weeks ago.

It may have taken longer than most fans would have liked, but Finn Balor now has a meaningful title reign on the main roster.

Winning the Intercontinental Championship at Elimination Chamber, Balor has held on to the gold against former champion Bobby Lashley, as well as his hypeman Lio Rush.

Rush hasn't been the best partner for the Almighty, costing him the title weeks ago, but says that Lashley should still trust him.

As the two continue to squabble, Balor looks to hold onto the gold for a long time to come, something that is easier said than done.

As WrestleMania approaches, there's no shortage of stars who will be wanting to make a name for themselves on the biggest stage of them all, at the expense of the champ.

1: The Hounds of Justice back together?

Are the three former World Champions finally back on the same page after last week

There was perhaps no group more united, in all of WWE history, than the Shield.

Debuting at the 2012 Survivor Series, the team of Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns were a united front, until the Architect turned on the others in mid-2014.

Since then, the group have had brief reunions, and last week saw just the latest installment of the hounds of justice.

Not long after announcing his leukemia is in remission, Reigns teamed with Rollins to help Dean Ambrose, who had distanced himself from the group last year.

With the trio seemingly on the same page, everyone on the RAW roster should take note, even Universal Champion Brock Lesnar, who Rollins will face at WrestleMania 35.

Whatever the group has to say, expect everyone to be paying attention.