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7 Bonkers Surprises From RAW We'd Never Have Guessed Would Happen

By Gary Cassidy
Modified Oct 09, 2018 18:10 IST
The beginning of Raw was nothing short of explosive!
The beginning of Raw was nothing short of explosive!

Well, after an incredibly entertaining Super Show-Down event this weekend in front of 70,000 Australian members of the WWE Universe, the pressure was most definitely on for RAW.

With so many questions left unanswered heading towards Crown Jewel and Evolution respectively, drama had to unfold. Storylines NEEDED progression - but would jet lag be a factor with a mere two days between the show in Melbourne and the Monday night flagship in Chicago?

Most definitely not!

This week's Raw was jam-packed with shocks from start to finish. Wrestling is at its best when it's unpredictable and, well, let's jut say this week's Raw was pretty damn good. From a huge faction reuniting to others seemingly falling apart, heel turns and surprise booking decisions - this was a Raw not to be missed. But if you did miss it, never fear, because all the bonkers surprises you missed are here!

#7 Bobby Lashley turns heel

There's a new bad guy on the red brand
There's a new bad guy on the red brand

Well, something had to give. Ever since Bobby Lashley re-debuted in WWE after WrestleMania, his run could easily be described as lacklustre.

We all wanted to see Lashley vs Lesnar, but we instead got a couple of matches against Roman Reigns and a really bizarre feud with Sami Zayn where his sisters... actually, let's just pretend that didn't happen.

While nothing of note has really happened since Bobby Lashley returned to WWE, last night, something did! Lashley faced off against his rival Kevin Owens. Down Under, he and John Cena obliterated KO and Elias - so why were we seeing a RAW-peat tonight? It soon became clear...

Eagle-eyed viewers may have spotted the signs early on, but a dominant Lashley was flanked by Lio Rush who would take his opportunity to commentate on the match via a microphone on the outside of the ring. Lashley seemingly was working heel the full match, getting heat on KO's knee - and it all came to fruition at the end.

Lio Rush had attempted to get the crowd to cheer Lashley, something which has rarely occurred since his return, and they obviously would boo instead - with Kevin Owens being cheered instead.

After the match, Lashley would continue his assault on Owens, destroying the former Universal Champion's knee by way of the ringpost. Lashley would appear later in the night to interrupt an interview of Finn Balor and Bayley, insulting Team B&B before leaving with Lio Rush - solidifying the heel turn.

#6 Two legends return and two Evolution matches become one

Evolution just became legendary!
Evolution just became legendary!

While Trish Stratus had been confirmed for RAW and most people could probably guess that we'd see some kind of build for her match with Alexa Bliss at Evolution - no-one saw this one coming.

With both Stratus and Bliss at each other's throats in the ring, it looked like chaos may ensure - but Mickie James stepped in to seemingly play mediator and stop the pair from coming to blows. James, however, claimed she should face Stratus herself and suggested making the match at Evolution a tag-team match.

Well, let's just say Trish Stratus already had a partner ready for such a match - fellow Hall of Famer Lita!

Lita came out to an enormous ovation and ran down to the ring. Bliss and James started to attack Trish and Lita, but momentum was not on their side. Bliss had to retreat and left Mickie James in the ring alone to face the wrath of the two Hall of Famers.

James was knocked down, and about to be hit with a Moonsault by Lita, when Bliss managed to pull out her friend from the ring.

#5 Dissension in the ranks for the Dogs of War?

Are the Dogs of War done?
Are the Dogs of War done?

Given how much betrayal we saw this week on RAW, this one might have just been leading to a surprise in waiting - but it's definitely worth a mention.

Who'd have thought Braun Strowman could be a team player? Well, that may be short-lived as the Monster Among Men may have realised he doesn't need any friends to play in the big leagues.

Midway through their match with rivals The Shield, Braun Strowman would tell Dolph Ziggler, "That's how you pull your weight" - leading to a physical altercation between Strowman, Ziggler and Drew McIntyre before Seth Rollins interrupted with a roll-up and a near fall.

We'll get back to this match later, but it was hugely surprising to see what as been a close knit faction look like showing signs of a split as cracks emerged mid-match. Could we see Braun take on the Tag Team Champions in the future? It wouldn't be the first time...

Maybe a Nicholas return is on the horizon.

#4 Kurt Angle surprises Baron Corbin

Angle is no stranger to gold
Angle is no stranger to gold

Well, excitement was in the air when a Battle Royal to qualify for the World Cup Tournament at Crown Jewel was announced - but of course RAW's Acting General Manager Baron Corbin had his own surprise here - he'd be a participant and the others would all be local talent.

The winner, though, would be a wrestler going by the name of El Conquistador - the only man Corbin couldn't get rid of. After landing three German Suplexes and an Olympic Slam, El Conquistador eliminated Corbin and revealed himself to be the Olympic Gold Medallist himself.

#3 Bellas turn on Ronda Rousey

Ronda Rousey has a new challenger at Evolution
Ronda Rousey has a new challenger at Evolution

Well, it might have been the least surprising "bonkers" surprise that emerged last night - but it was still a bit of a shock when it finally happened.

When The Bella Twins befriended Ronda Rousey by congratulating her for winning the RAW Women's Championship, you'd always question their motives, and those motives emerged last night.

After defeating The Riott Squad at WWE Super Show-Down, Rousey and the Bella twins would have a rematch with the trio on RAW. This time, Rousey ticked off the final member of the trio - making Riott tap in the same way Morgan and Logan tapped Down Under.

It was after the match, though, that the drama really started. The Bellas assaulted Rousey out of nowhere, attacking their friend. The trio were involved in an all-out brawl outside the ring where Rousey was able to fight back, before eating some ringpost and stairs, thanks to the twins.

It was later confirmed that Nikki Bella would challenge Ronda Rousey for the RAW Women's Championship at Evolution.

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#2 Dean Ambrose walks out on The Shield

Reigns and Rollins were left with many questions after RAW
Reigns and Rollins were left with many questions after RAW

Now, this could have easily topped the list - it looks like The Shield may be crumbling yet again.

With the trio all becoming Superstars in their own right, something always had to give - when you add the fact that two of the three men are holding the only two singles titles on the show, fractures will always start to appear.

After losing to the Dogs of War on last night's RAW, the camera panned to Ambrose who walked away from Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins without saying a word.

The trio's breakup is always teased when they're together, and a return when they're apart - but it looks like it may finally be time for Dean Ambrose to break free and make a name for himself without The Shield this time round.

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#1 DX reunite, Shawn Michaels comes out of retirement

DX are back!
DX are back!

Well, the biggest shock from last night's RAW, without a doubt, had to be D-Generation X reuniting to kick off the show.

Not only that, but the rumour was finally confirmed with Shawn Michaels making it clear that he was ready to return to in-ring competition.

Triple H and HBK challenged the Undertaker and Kane to a fight at Crown Jewel after the Brothers of Destruction decimated the pair at Super Show-Down, ambushing them from behind after a show of respect, even putting Shawn Michaels through the announce table.

Triple H asked, "ARE YOU READY?" before saying he knew Shawn was, and the pair saying they had two words for Taker and Kane - Crown Jewel.

With that, WWE would confirm the match moments later - Shawn Michaels will return to the ring in Saudi Arabia to team with Triple H against Kane and Undertaker.

What did you think of last night's RAW? Did anything else surprise you? Let us know in the comments.