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The dynamics of the flagship show of WWE have completely changed after The Superstar Shakeup. With The Greatest Royal Rumble Event only a week away, the go-home episode of Monday Night Raw is sure to witness the implications of the shakeup.
The seeds of budding rivalries were planted last week itself. The Riott Squad made a statement, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn have found their new arch nemesis, and the feud between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar has only fueled further.
Many unanswered questions will have their explanations this Monday. Here's what to look forward to when Raw kicks live from Saint Louis.
#5 A new rivalry in the making?
The feud between Kevin Owens-Sami Zayn and The McMahons was the talking point of SmackDown last year. With them getting new contracts on Raw by Stephanie McMahon, it looks like the two have found their new victim in Kurt Angle.
Angle already seems to be in a high-profile rivalry with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon which is far from over, the addition of Owens and Zayn would only make things worse for the Raw General Manager. But who knows, Angle might have kept an ace up his sleeve in the form of Braun Strowman and Bobby Roode.
Roode and Strowman have no storylines at present, and WWE may be looking for them to represent The Olympic Hero against Owens and Zayn. While it would be a great contest in itself, Kurt can still focus on his ongoing clash with HHH.
#4 Twist in the feud?
WWE had been teasing a rivalry between Sasha Banks and Bayley for quite some time, and the build-up has been slow but highly entertaining. The two faced each in a singles match last week, but it abruptly ended when the newly drafted Riott Squad intervened.
The obvious choice seems to be Banks and Bayley squaring off against the trio, but it will be interesting to see how the two maintain their differences and team up to beat The Riott Squad. The only question that lies here is - What about Banks's heel turn?
Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, and Sarah Logan will be looking to continue their dominating run on Raw, and with the two ex-best friends already in a heated rivalry, a collapse is inevitable, and the faction won't hesitate to benefit from the opportunity.
#3 New entrants in the tag division?
If you think The Authors of Pain turned out as the best addition to the RAW Tag-team division, think again. After getting traded to Raw. Dolph Ziggler was joined by former NXT Champion Drew McIntyre, which came as a big surprise to the WWE Universe. The two wasted no time and laid out Titus Worldwide in the middle of the ring.
It will be interesting to see how The Creative takes them from here. The duo would be best suited as heels, and the possibilities for them are endless. WWE has not had a huge stable like The Kliq or nWo for a long time, and with an addition of some more undervalued performers, you have possibly the unique asset of The Red Brand.
The Raw tag-team division lacked depth, but with the addition of Ziggler-McIntyre, WWE might have planned something huge for two of the most underrated superstars in the company today.
#2 Lashley in title contention?
After countless rumours and speculations, Bobby Lashley made his long-awaited return to WWE at the Raw after WrestleMania. Wasting no time, Lashley put Elias to waste with a suplex.
The WWE Universe is eager to see a much improved Lashley in a distinguished rivalry with the likes of Braun Strowman or Roman Reigns. While the Universal Championship seems to be a little occupied currently, there are no contenders for Seth Rollins' Intercontinental Championship at present.
Rollins is scheduled to defend his title in a ladder match against Samoa Joe, The Miz, and Finn Balor at The Greatest Royal Rumble Event in Saudi Arabia. A last-minute addition in the form of Bobby Lashley shouldn't be a surprise, as Vince McMahon had always been extremely positive on The Dominator.
With Lashley getting involved in title contention, a plethora of dream matches has opened with him possibly going against Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, or even Braun Strowman in singles matches. Now, that'd be best for business.
#1 Another appearance, another beatdown?
Brock Lesnar defeated Roman Reigns in what was considered one of the most vicious beatdowns in WrestleMania history. The Universal Champion did not show up on the Superstar Shakeup episode of Monday Night Raw, and with him advertised for tomorrow night, the WWE Universe is expecting a huge dramatic segment with Roman Reigns.
Lesnar is scheduled to defend his Universal title in a steel cage match against Reigns at The Greatest Royal Rumble Event in Saudi Arabia next week. The Big Dog is a favourite among non-American fans and will be the favourite to become the new champion in Jeddah.
WWE might be looking to set Reigns as the underdog going into the match, and a beatdown from Lesnar would be the perfect way for the champion to make a statement and gain momentum which will eventually lead the crowd to rally behind a beaten down Roman Reigns.
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