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Welcome to the go-home episode of RAW before Fastlane 2021. We're now only three episodes of RAW away from WrestleMania 37 and the final pay-per-view stop will happen this Sunday at Fastlane.
While we continue to question the purpose of the Fastlane pay-per-view, WWE made some effort to fill out the card this Sunday. A few key matches have been added from RAW, but it's clear that Fastlane is more about building the SmackDown storylines.
This was the best RAW in a while, and here are some of the important things that WWE subtly told us:
#7. Did WWE have nothing planned for AJ Styles on RAW?
That seems to settle the problem of AJ Styles not having a feud on RAW heading into WrestleMania 37. The New Day defeated The Hurt Business to capture the RAW Tag Team Championships - their 11th Tag Team title win.
While we're not big on the decision, it had an unexpected turn. After The New Day won the RAW tag team titles, AJ Styles unexpectedly came out with Omos. Admitting that he has nothing for WrestleMania, The Phenomenal One issued a challenge for the RAW tag team titles at WrestleMania.
Xavier Woods accepted, but Kofi Kingston asked AJ Styles and Omos if they were a "registered tag team". We didn't know that tag teams had to be registered, especially because Braun Strowman won the RAW tag team titles with a 10-year old child just three years ago.
Either way, it's AJ Styles' opportunity at becoming a WWE Grand Slam Champion. He has won the WWE title, Intercontinental title, and the United States title. It will certainly cap off his incredible WWE career.
Given the caliber of opponents that AJ Styles has faced in the past five WrestleManias, it's clear that WWE had no plans for him whatsoever. The title change seemed solely to get Styles on the card. It will also serve as Omos' in-ring debut for WWE.
#6. Will Randy Orton's torture on RAW end at Fastlane?
Randy Orton has been getting tormented for months on RAW by Alexa Bliss and not Bray Wyatt. Stating that Wyatt was gone for good after TLC, Orton said that it was Bliss who was the root for all his troubles on RAW.
In yet another creepy backstage segment on RAW, Alexa Bliss gave Randy Orton an opportunity to get rid of her for good at Fastlane.
It seemed all too bizarre, especially since the implication was that Alexa Bliss wanted to face Randy Orton at Fastlane 2021. Orton, while seemingly confused, accepted her challenge on RAW and vowed to kick Alexa Bliss out of his life.
While this is a good way to capture interest, the outcome is evident. Either the match won't start, or it will end with a bizarre finish. Ultimately, it's supposed to set up "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt's return to WWE after being away for three months.
There are only three episodes of RAW left until WrestleMania 37, and it's the perfect time to bring "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt back.
#5. Will the Shane McMahon-Braun Strowman feud on RAW culminate at Fastlane?
It's surprising that an important feud on RAW is happening over Braun Strowman being considered "stupid". While Shane McMahon fumbled a lot last week with his words, he didn't hold back as much on RAW this week.
Instead, he was direct with Strowman and even accepted his challenge to a match on RAW. The match didn't happen as Shane McMahon stalled before the beatdown started.
Braun Strowman was stopped in his tracks when Shane McMahon hit him with a camera before throwing green liquid all over him. It was a messy affair (literally) and it was later revealed that the two men will face-off at Fastlane 2021.
We're not sure what the logic is. The only one is WWE pulling off a dusty finish to set up an actual match at WrestleMania 37. Perhaps a good stipulation match would make it hot. But this wasn't the match to add to Fastlane. The two title matches that we saw on RAW should have been at the pay-per-view instead.
#4. A huge shift in the WrestleMania main event plans on RAW
We were supposed to get the Drew McIntyre-Sheamus trilogy, but it was revealed that the match wouldn't happen on RAW this week. Instead, it was booked for Fastlane 2021 with no stipulation given yet.
It was announced on RAW that Bobby Lashley will face Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 37. Meanwhile, there won't be a high-stakes match between the two former best friends at Fastlane. Instead, it will simply be a singles match to blow off their feud.
Drew McIntyre faced The Miz early on RAW while Sheamus faced Bobby Lashley in the main event. Sheamus even attacked Lashley earlier on RAW to make a statement while McIntyre defeated The Miz.
Interestingly enough, Drew McIntyre was also at ringside for the main event of RAW, which was a hard-hitting affair. Sheamus looked great in the contest and it's good to see him being presented as a World Championship-caliber superstar again.
Bobby Lashley ultimately defeated Sheamus in an incredible finish to the main event of RAW after hitting a mid-air Spear. He tried to make a statement post-match, but Drew McIntyre hit him with a Claymore Kick to end the show standing tall.
#3. Bad Bunny's path to WrestleMania was paved on RAW
Grammy Award-winning artist Bad Bunny appeared on RAW again, but this was perhaps his least-favorite appearance to date. While R-Truth was caught in his chase for the 24/7 Championship, he successfully negotiated a deal where he got the title back in exchange for Bad Bunny receiving the custom Steve Austin WWE title.
While it seemed like a bizarre exchange, it was perhaps done to promote the 3:16 sale on WWE Shop and also to protect Bad Bunny.
Then, Damian Priest defeated Jaxson Ryker with relative ease, and John Morrison came out. Bad Bunny was smashed on the back with a guitar that didn't even break. It was an unpleasant ending to RAW for Bad Bunny, who usually gets the last laugh. But what is interesting is the fact that his road to WrestleMania has been paved.
The Miz and John Morrison vs. Damian Priest and Bad Bunny appears to be a lock. Given that Damian Priest is still undefeated on RAW, it's a good set-up for him as well.
#2. Asuka is healthy again, now what awaits the RAW Women's Champion?
During the tag team match on RAW between Lana and Naomi against Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke, Asuka made her return. After reportedly suffering a concussion on the RAW after Elimination Chamber last month, The Empress of Tomorrow is finally back.
It's good to see the RAW Women's Champion back in action, as it was implied from the rumors that she could miss WrestleMania. Not only did she return to RAW, but she faced Shayna Baszler as well. In a bit of a dusty finish, she pinned Baszler, who had her shoulders down while getting choked.
In a move to gain heat, Baszler tried hitting the RAW Women's Champion with the same kick that took her out. But Asuka caught her leg and decimated her - showing an edge that we haven't seen in a while.
It's good to have her back, but despite her crossing paths with Shayna Baszler, it seems inevitable that Charlotte Flair will be her opponent at WrestleMania 37.
#1. Riddle secures his ticket to WrestleMania on RAW
Riddle faced RETRIBUTION leader Mustafa Ali on RAW in a defense of the United States Championship. While there was a chance of him losing, he managed to retain in an eventful match.
It marked the second of two title matches on RAW, but we're still not sure why neither match took place at the Fastlane 2021 pay-per-view. Either way, since Riddle isn't expected to defend the United States title at Fastlane (as of this writing), he seems to have secured his ticket to WrestleMania.
Heading into his first WrestleMania as the United States Champion isn't bad at all. He made a jump to RAW in the Draft last year and has progressed ever since. The big question is as to who his opponent could be at WrestleMania.
There aren't too many names, but if Keith Lee manages to return in the next week or so, we can see him emerging as the next United States title challenger for WrestleMania 37. It would be Keith Lee picking up where he left off. He hasn't been on RAW for a while now.
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