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Rusev Rumble delivered and how. From being destined to fall short on expectations, WWE did an brilliant job of booking the first big four of 2018 to near perfection.
Despite drastically shuffling the card by placing Women's Royal Rumble match in the main event ahead of the men's bout, the overall reception of the show has been favourably positive from all quarters.
It isn't an everyday phenomenon that not one, but two Japenese superstars/indie darlings win the prestigious precursor to the showcase of Immortals. Add to that outrageous amounts of nostalgia with some high-quality in-ring action and you're bound to get a Rumble for the ages.
The rowdiness that ended the show has contributed to the momentum and an air of ambiguity heading into the fallout Monday Night Raw. The Rumble may have hit the sweet spot but it could all get sour if the WWE doesn't go about doing their business right tonight.
These five talking points will make or break the show that could see the seeds being planted for numerous Elimination Chamber matches.
#5 The Miztinental Championship
You'll be astonished when you ponder over the level of progress the Miz has made over the past few years. From being the recipient of a pre-mature push that threatened to put a dent in his career, to transforming into one of the most relevant aspects on WWE TV, the Miz has proved his all naysayers wrong.
He will go down as one of the greatest IC Champions of all time but his reign is in grave danger of ending at the hands of the man who is christened to be the face of the company going forward, Roman Reigns. While Reigns is scheduled to dethrone Brock Lesnar as the Universal Champion at WrestleMania 34 according to the dirt sheets, expect WWE to have one final chapter between the Big Dog and the A-lister before Elimination Chamber comes our way.
The Big Dog isn't the only one who would have his eyes set on the IC strap as the strong upper mid-card of the red brand will be hot on the heels of the ever-so cocky champion.
The road to WrestleMania will not be an easy ride for the Miz, that's a surety.
#4 What's next for the Beast Incarnate?
The battle of the behemoths ended in predictable fashion as Brock Lesnar did what he did best -- suplex and chill. The Monster, the Machine, and the Beast put on a chaotic yet haphazard match that saw countless broken tables, an exhibition of suplexes and that eventual F5 that no one is allowed to kick out from until Reigns does the honors at the showcase of immortals.
Kane took the pin and added another arc to the untapped storyline potential between Braun Strowman and Brock Lesnar. Strowman was heard screaming in frustration that he was not pinned and deserved to get his hands on Lesnar again after the match was done.
It's hibernation time again for the Universal Champion as he is not advertised for the Elimination Chamber leaving Strowman fuming and also kicking the door open for a new #1 contender to rise.
This week, however, Strowman is bound to vent his frustrations out on WWE's sprawling infrastructure with a few helpless souls being buried in the rubble. Strowman vs. Lesnar 2 for The Chamber is currently not on the drawing boards but WWE does have plans on having a #1 contender's inside the Elimination Chamber at the upcoming PPV on February 25th.
Now you get why Shinsuke Nakamura won and not Roman Reigns. Reigns may be the favourite to fulfil his destiny but Strowman's exponentially risen stock can't be outweighed. Lesnar's unpopular dominance has to end and one of the two perennial rivals could hold the distinction of doing so in the coming months.
#3 Rollins vs. Jordan: A potential WrestleMania match no one wants to see
One of the greatest aspects of pro wrestling is the profound hate one develops towards certain characters. Jason Jordan is surely one of them and props have to be given to the WWE for carefully altering Angle Jr's creative direction based on the Universe's reaction.
But should it come at the expense of Seth Freakin' Rollins? The answer is obviously a resounding no. The Bar defeated Rollins and Jordan to become the RAW Tag Team Champions for the 4th time and while they totally deserve to hold onto the straps, Rollins deserves much better than a match against an up-and-comer who needs to be put over.
Jordan was a mere spectator at the Rumble as a reported back injury prevented him from bailing his partner out of a two-on-one ambush at the hands of Sheamus and Cesaro. A visibly upset Kingslayer's confrontation with the former American Alpha on tonight's Raw would give the fans a clear picture of what's in store for the former WWE Champion and his annoying understudy.
WWE better not screw Rollins over!
#2 619!
The reactions of the fans in Philly were enough to describe Rey Mysterio's shock return to the WWE's fold as the #27 entrant in the 2018 Royal Rumble. It wasn't a spontaneous pop but one that initially felt like an unwanted surprise.
Nonetheless, the nostalgia card never ceases to amaze when it comes to fan favourites like Mysterio, but is the revolutionary luchador back for good or was it a one-off appearance, akin The Great Khali from Battleground last year?
That's the biggest burning question as we await another explosive episode of Raw. However, the chances of a long-term deal in place between the parties seem brighter than the day.
Firstly, at 42, the former WWE Champion looked in the best shape of his life. He was buff and nibble all at the same time. Secondly, the unforeseen ouster of the flagbearer of the Cruiserweight division in Enzo Amore has left a noticeable void that only the biggest of names have the capability of filling.
None better than the greatest cruiserweight of all time himself, the master of the 619. It would be stupid for WWE to not capitalize on the sentimental comeback as a new GM for 205 Live and Mysterio's veteran presence could be the gamechanger for the fledgeling brand in 2018.
#1 Is anybody ready for Rousey?
Ever since Ronda Rousey's infrangible semblance was seemingly demolished as a result of two high-profile losses against Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes, the talk of the former baddest woman on earth coming to the WWE have been as frequent as Donald Trump's foot in the mouth moments.
WWE finally pulled the trigger on the debut that could possibly bring them massive mainstream attention by having Rowdy come out after Asuka managed to outlast 29 other women in the monumental Women's Rumble.
WWE, for once, made the right decision by keeping Rousey away from the Rumble and having her make an appearance after the match to close out the show. But it wasn't without a cringeworthy entrance theme song and a blatant rip-off of Roddy Piper's iconic shirt design. In case you didn't know, Piper's son himself gave her the late great WWE legend's jacket moments before she came out to put the Women's division on notice.
The speculations have been running fast and thick in the wake of WWE's announcement that the former UFC star has signed a full-time multi-year contract with the promotion she adored ever since she was a child.
Rousey vs. Asuka at the Elimination Chamber? Maybe not! WWE is planning on having a first ever Women's Elimination Chamber match this year. So, get used to WWE reminding you about the historic feats of women for another month.
Reports also suggest WWE is still high on the idea of having Rousey team up with The Rock for a match against Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. The handshake between Rousey and McMahon by ringside highlighted the history and reminded the fans of the tension between the two. One thing is for sure, RAW will be one rowdy brand in the coming months with every women's star on notice.
Will WWE's mainstream gamble pay off? Will the UFC megastar be able to able to live her dream in all its glory or will she end up being just a tougher version of Bayley?
Sound off in the comments section below on your predictions for this week's much-anticipated episode of Monday Night Raw!
