6 things WWE subtly told us on RAW: Storyline being repeated after 5 years, Champion to turn heel and form a faction?

An interesting episode of RAW
An interesting episode of RAW

#4. Sheamus' Anti-Open challenge on RAW

A Non-Title open challenge
A Non-Title open challenge

John Cena set the gold standard for open challenges on RAW during the first of two United States Title reigns in 2015. It's been six years since then, and while numerous champions have attempted to replicate the concept, none have come close.

Sheamus, now the United States Champion, tried to start that on RAW as well. Last week, he was met by Humberto Carrillo, who he assaulted before the bell could ring.

Sheamus held another "open challenge" on RAW this week, where he revealed anticlimactically that the US Title would not be on the line. Carrillo got his revenge when he assaulted Sheamus before the bell could ring.

He left the ring standing tall, while Sheamus was at ringside bewildered at what happened. While Sheamus vs. Carrillo is an admittedly weak feud for the US Title post-WrestleMania, at least the 25-year old is getting a spot on RAW.

Carrillo spent almost all of 2020 being completely underutilized, which is why it makes sense for him to be thrust into a feud like this. Given how limited the RAW roster seems right now, it's hard to blame WWE.

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