Follow WWE Raw Results May 1st, 2017; live updates
The effects of the Superstar Shake-Up are now completely in place on both WWE brands. Granted, the process was initiated weeks ago, but inter-brand feuds still existed until Payback. Now that the dust has settled and the smoke has cleared, both brands will presumably have their own Superstars and feuds moving forward.
This Monday Night, The Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California will host an episode of Raw that deals with the aftermath of Payback 2017. There will be new programs as well as a continuation of existing programs, from the looks of it. Let’s look at certain aspects of the upcoming show from the red brand, and what we can expect from the same.
#5 A multitude of babyface contenders
It’s time for blissful domination! Last week on SmackDown Live, Charlotte Flair had the opportunity to become the first woman to win both the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships. She almost did, until the (three woman, one man) heel stable consisting of Natalya, Carmella, Tamina Snuka, and James Ellsworth interfered. Soon enough, it was Alexa Bliss’ time to make the same happen, and unlike her genetically superior compadre, she actually sealed the deal.
With Alexa Bliss as champion, the situation opens up a world of possibilities for probable future feuds. Alexa Bliss can definitely compete with Bayley, considering that the latter probably has a rematch clause for her championship. Bliss can even take on Sasha Banks, and this could lead to a dispute between Bayley and Sasha. To be honest, we wouldn’t mind a program with Mickie James either, considering we didn’t get to see too much of that on the blue brand.
#4 Did Sheasaro break the Hardyz?
As we had reported not so long ago in an exclusive piece, Vince McMahon is apparently not a fan of the Hardy Boyz’ broken gimmick at all. However, seeing the fans chant delete in ‘unison’ has made him reconsider the whole scenario. Will the heel turn and attack from Sheamus and Cesaro cause Matt Hardy to become a broken man, on WWE television? Rumours are rife on the internet about WWE and Anthem having reached a settlement for the ‘Broken’ gimmick, which Anthem supposedly owns. Will the Brogue Kick make the elder Hardy spiral down the path of insanity?
Just saying...Bray Wyatt needs a new opponent after his House of Horrors match, and who better than a broken man who worships seven deities? The Hardyz are no longer what they once used to be, and this gimmick could freshen things up in the long run. Where do Sheamus and Cesaro go from here then? Wherever it is, we’re certain it will be WONDERFUL!
We know they’re taking on The Golden Truth soon. Will the first cracks of ‘brokenness’ be seen then?
#3 Who’s going after the IC Title on Raw?
With Brock Lesnar absent from the weekly proceedings on Raw, Dean Ambrose now holds the most prestigious championship on the show. The Lunatic Fringe was one of the men who did not have a match at Payback, and this makes us wonder what’s in store for him.
He could enter into a feud with Bray Wyatt, considering the Eater of Worlds defeated Orton in a House of Horrors match. He could also lock horns with Seth Rollins, another winner at Payback, provided he turns heel, as many rumours on the internet indicate. It will certainly be interesting to see who challenges the Intercontinental Champion next.
Also read: Best and Worst of WWE Payback 2017
#2 Balor’s first real program since his comeback
Finn Balor’s only had one real program on the main roster before this, which ended with him becoming the first ever Universal Champion. Ever since then, he’s suffered an injury, been part of multi-man matches, faced jobbers and yeah, suffered a mild concussion. From the looks of it, he has also been losing a lot of steam.
This week, during the pre-show, we saw Balor and The Miz on a very entertaining episode of Miz TV. This is a program we really wouldn’t mind. With The Miz’s verbal and Balor’s in-ring skills, the program could be worth big money!
Just remember that Finn Balor also said he’s looking to regain the Universal Championship from Brock Lesnar.
Also read: 5 Botches, slip-ups and outrageous moments from WWE Payback 2017
#1 Will Kurt Angle confront Braun Strowman?
Braun Strowman pinned Roman Reigns clean, and unless you're a star the company actually believes in, this does not happen. We saw footage from Raw Talk where an angry Strowman took out Roman Reigns. The announcers indicated that Kurt Angle might take some stringent disciplinary measures against the monster.
Is this setting up for Kurt Angle’s big comeback? Will we get an actual match between these men, some time down the road? One can only dream, and this confrontation is rife with possibilities. As for Strowman, we don’t see his push ending anytime soon. He’s not a monster among men but a Superstar among monsters.
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