WWE Monday Night RAW Preview: February 5, 2018

Old foes meet again in a high-stakes encounter.
Old foes meet again in a high-stakes encounter.

The Road to WrestleMania has kickstarted in all its glory and each episode of Raw until the PPV on April 8th promises to have some big moments.

Also read: Live RAW commentary and live card

However, a brutal pitstop awaits the superstars of Monday Night Raw as the popular Elimination Chamber PPV is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 25th.

A historic first-time-ever match, a high-stakes Elimination Chamber bout and the bludgeoning undercard of the red brand have set things up perfectly for the final Raw PPV before the show of shows.

WWE has lined up a host of high-stakes matches and segments for tonight that would have a drastic effect on the Chamber card and in this slideshow, we take a look at the five most likely things to expect:


#1 New Challenger for The Miz

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As expected from Vince McMahon and co., Roman Reigns was relieved of his IC title duties last week when he unsuccessfully challenged The Miz in what was the final match in the rivalry between the two former WWE Champions.

While The Big Dog will march on his pre-determined quest of dethroning Brock Lesnar, The Miz is in line to receive a fresh new opponent. There are a host of names that deserve a shot at the prestigious IC title, but which lucky star will get the nod from the top brass?

Will it be one of the best NXT call-ups in Elias or could Miztourage be on the verge of deletion at the hands of Woken Matt Hardy?

At the end of the day, Miz could 'get those hands' as Braun Strowman seems like the most likely candidate to go up against the A-lister after the Chamber, according to the dirt sheets and current booking trends.

A wildcard and highly improbable choice would be to have Rey Mysterio answer Miz' call for a new #1 contender. He may have returned for a one-off appearance at the Royal Rumble but that loud pop would have surely enticed WWE into giving him one last contract.

#2 Historic overkill

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An all women's WrestleMania? A WWE 2K game with just the gorgeous ladies of wrestling? Sounds pretty believable considering WWE's recent obsession with creating 'history' in the women's division.

On last week's episode, Stephanie McMahon wasted no time in announcing the first-ever Women's Elimination Chamber match on the heels of a 'historic' Royal Rumble that saw Asuka's win getting overshadowed by a Rowdy appearance.

As cringe-worthy as it may have seemed, the monumental Raw Women's title Chamber match should be an entertaining ordeal with the talents WWE has at their disposal.

However, WWE needs to fill the five lucrative spots with caution so as to avoid making it a readymade Botchamania compilation.

The biggest question is whether Ronda Rousey will make her in-ring debut in the barbaric confines of the steel cage. WWE has the option to be patient with the former UFC Bantamweight Champion but we doubt the Creative would hold back during WrestleMania season.

#3 Raising The Bar

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It feels like a throwback to last year's WrestleMania season. The Bar were the Raw tag team champions heading into the 33rd edition of the grand PPV and this time around too, they are the measuring stick in the stacked Raw tag team division.

With Rollins and Jordan heading towards collision course, two new faces have to step up and give Sheamus and Cesaro a run for their money. The Revival has seen a legit revival of sorts with two back-to-back wins against The Club and Slater & Ryno in recent weeks. The injury setback may have transformed them into jobbers in the making upon their return, but Creative has thankfully instated their faith in the throwback duo.

While it could finally be the Top Guys' moment of glory, impressive performances from Titus Worldwide and the long-awaited debut of Author's of Pain force us to think otherwise.

And don't forget Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan, who would be aching to get another shot at regaining the titles. However, WWE may have something else in store for the two.....

#4 The Architect vs The Gold-Blooded son

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WrestleMania 34 was originally supposed to be the culmination of Seth Rollins vs Dean Ambrose II. Despite being predictable booking pattern, Ambrose and Rollins have the chemistry reminiscent of Austin vs Rock, ensuring a five-star feud for the grandest spectacle of them all.

The same can't be said about the Jordan vs. Rollins dynamic. While it's wholly satisfying to hate Jordan at the moment -- and props have to be given to Angle Jr. and WWE for altering his character according to crowd reactions, the staunch supporters of the Architect would be disappointed with his predicted role. The match, however, should be a thriller if given the time but the outcome of it all could have concerning repercussion in the future.

The seeds of the split have been growing gradually over the past month with a full-blown implosion expected to happen anytime now. Jordan as an all-out heel with the backing of his legendary dad against a babyface Rollins has the potential to be a solid programme.

#5 An old rivalry rekindled

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And it has begun! The road to Roman Reigns as Universal Champion officially gets underway tonight when the Big Dog takes on Bray Wyatt in the Elimination Chamber qualification match.

Whoever expects Wyatt to win can either stop watching wrestling or give up on WWE as Reigns is going into the Elimination Chamber match to win, whether you like it or not.

Expect the mystical presence of Matt Hardy to interfere the Eater of Worlds as Reigns should join John Cena, Elias and Braun Strowman in the Chamber match at the end of tonight's show.

With three spots left and one them seemingly set in stone for Reigns, who do you think would fill up the final two spots in the sought-after match? Sound off in the comments' section.

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