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Apollo Crews will collide with his nemesis Andrade for the United States Championship on this week's RAW. The two Superstars clashed a few weeks ago, where Apollo picked up a kayfabe injury and could not complete the match. He will look to overcome his rival and seize his first prominent title on the main roster tonight.
The build-up to Apollo Crews vs. Andrade
Paul Heyman brought Apollo Crews to Monday Night RAW in the post 'Mania season. Crews delivered a stellar bout against Aleister Black on his first night and soon became one of the top babyface Superstars on the Red brand. He even secured a berth in the 2020 Money in the Bank ladder match. However, he suffered an injury during his bout against Andrade. Thus, he had to give up his spot.
Apollo recovered from his injury and made his return last week during The Kevin Owens Show. He confronted Zelina Vega's stable, setting up a United States Championship match for this week.
The fans are behind Apollo Crews right now, thanks to the mastermind booking decisions of Paul Heyman. Here are the five ways this title clash could end tonight.
#5 Andrade beats Apollo Crews clean
The least likely scenario for tonight's match is that the US Champion will defeat his challenger clean in the middle of the ring. Given how the creative team has built up Apollo Crews' face character on RAW, it is highly unlikely that they would book him to suffer a clean loss.
However, they could still take this route to cement Andrade as a dominant United States Champion on the flagship show. El Idolo has not had an eventful reign as champion, despite holding the belt for almost six months. He has been a victim of the 50/50 booking decisions.
A defeat in tonight's title match could demote him to the lower half of the card. The backstage officials may also move him to the tag team division along with Angel Garza if he loses tonight. The fans who have followed him since his NXT days would know how talented Andrade is. A victory over Apollo Crews could help him gain his prominence back, and perhaps he can hold the prestigious mid-card belt till SummerSlam 2020.
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#4 Angel Garza's interference leads to a disqualification finish
The heel champion Andrade will try his best to make sure that he retains his championship irrespective of how the match ends. Apollo Crews is the favorite to win tonight's match. Hence, WWE could book him to dominate El Idolo inside the ring.
After a long back and forth encounter, Crews would execute his finisher and almost win the United States title until Angel Garza interrupts the proceedings and breaks the pinfall attempt. Although Apollo's fans will be disappointed with this finish, it would allow WWE to push his big triumph to the Backlash PPV.
Will Andrade lose his championship to Apollo Crews at Backlash?
The pay-per-view event will air live on 14th June. With just three RAW episodes before the event, the Creative team will have the onus of adding some high stakes matches to the show. Apollo Crews could defeat Andrade and Garza in a handicap match on the road to Backlash, with the bout having a stipulation that the US Champion's associates would not have the permission to stay at ringside during the title clash at the PPV.
Ultimately, Apollo Crews would win the championship, and kick off a new era on Monday Night RAW.
#3 Zelina Vega's smartness helps Andrade retain the title
Another way through which WWE can delay Apollo Crews' title win until Backlash is by having Zelina Vega help her client Andrade retain the United States Championship. Perhaps, she could put extra pressure on him when El Idolo would roll-up Apollo Crews for the win near the ring ropes.
Otherwise, she could distract Apollo Crews with her trash talks, leading to Andrade's quick roll-up. Either way, Vega has shown in the past that she is an astute business manager. Her intelligence has helped Andrade win many crucial matches. Hence, this bout could add to that long list.
Apollo Crews could then come up prepared for all the forces against him at Backlash. He would have a clear idea about the heelish tactics that Angel Garza and Zelina could use. Hence, he would prepare a precise game plan to fight the same and finally overcome them to win the United States Championship.
This victory would propel Apollo Crews to the next level because the fans will be craving to see him finally clinch the prestigious United States title.
#2 Apollo Crews defeats Andrade clean
Apollo Crews possesses the in-ring talent to become the top champion of WWE. However, the inconsistent booking decisions that he has received until now has not helped his on-screen character. After staying directionless for a long time, Paul Heyman helped him become a prominent name on the roster. Hence, the backstage officials would not want to waste this opportunity of pushing him to the topmost position in the mid-card.
Had the creative team inserted him in the world title picture straight away, they would have received a negative response from the WWE Universe. But, they took the right path by giving him a proper United States Championship storyline. Apollo Crews has a ton of momentum by his side, and a delay in his coronation would not be the best call.
Why Apollo Crews needs to beat Andrade clean tonight?
It has been a long time since a singles title changed hands on an episode of RAW. Although WWE conducts pay-per-view events to give the title bouts a big match feel, if the championship changes hands on RAW tonight, it would help the Red brand gain the fans' attention.
Given that the ratings have not been up to the mark of late, it would be an excellent decision to have Apollo Crews topple all the heels and win the United States title from Andrade in a career-defining match.
#1 Kevin Owens helps Apollo Crews win
Last week, Kevin Owens assisted Apollo Crews in beating the heels. Hence, there is a considerable possibility that The Prizefighter would come out to help Apollo Crews in his United States Championship match tonight. Apollo knows that Andrade's associates would try their best to turn the result in the former NXT Champion's favor.
Will Kevin Owens and Apollo Crews feud with Andrade and Angel Garza?
However, like last Monday, Owens could take Crews' side and power him to the top of the mid-card. Besides, the former Universal Champion needs a new direction on RAW. He defeated Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 36. However, he may not receive a WWE Championship opportunity soon as the company has announced a title match between Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre for Backlash.
Hence, there are not many windows open for the Canadian Superstar. Owens could come out in the end moments of this bout where he can stop Angel Garza from interfering and take him out with a Stunner. This decision would help WWE extend the rivalry between the two alliances.
Ultimately, the fans could witness either of Kevin Owens or Apollo Crews turning heel and kicking off a feud for the United States title. The rumor mills have suggested that Crews could turn heel soon. Hence, Owens, who has often turned on his partners, could get a taste of his own medicine.
