WWE Monday Night Raw Preview: August 7, 2017

With WWE SummerSlam only a few short weeks away, the denizens of Monday Night Raw have a point to prove now more than ever.

Also follow: WWE RAW Results, August 7th, 2017 Live Commentary and Updates

With most of the matches on the card already being announced, it's all about the momentum going into the big day now. That being said, how will the concerned Superstars fare in the build up to the big event?

Such a question assumes particular importance when Roman Reigns faces Braun Strowman in a Last Man Standing match, with both men perfectly capable of maiming the other and shelving them for an extended period of time.

And while we're on injuries, will the shoulder injury sustained by Bayley against Nia Jax on last week's episode of Raw prevent her from participating at WWE SummerSlam?

Meanwhile, as Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins work on repairing their friendship, who will emerge as the number one contenders to the Raw Tag Team Titles?

Skimming through all of these points of discussion and more, here is our preview for this week's episode of Monday Night Raw.

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#1 Friendship repaired?

Will they ever co-exist again?

It was a heart moving gesture as Dean Ambrose came out to prevent Sheamus and Cesaro from ganging up on former teammate Seth Rollins, only to eat a Brogue Kick for his troubles.

"The Lunatic Fringe" may be outwardly mistrustful of "The Architect", but it would seem that the brotherly bond they once shared is deep-rooted indeed.

But is it enough to get them back on the same page and firing on all cylinders as they look to knock Sheamus and Cesaro off their perch?

The Raw Tag Champions are currently without a clear-cut team to challenge them for their Titles at SummerSlam, and with Rollins' singles victory over Sheamus last week, the former Shield brothers could be in with a shout should they be able to sort out their differences in time and work together.

#2 Broken to Awakened

The Awakened Hardy Boyz

Broken Hardyz is a thing of the past. Now, the Hardy Boyz are Awakened.

And if their victory last week in the Triple Threat Tag match against the Revival and the Club is any indication, they're as formidable as ever.

The former Raw Tag Team Champions may not have the belts anymore, but their will to climb back up the ladder in order to challenge Sheamus and Cesaro again has never been more apparent.

Will last week's morale-boosting victory be the first of many for the legendary duo? Or will their Awakening be cut short as other teams like the Revival look to chart their ascent up the Tag Team division?

#3 Demon King vs The Eater of Worlds

Will Bray Wyatt force the Demon King out?

The clash to determine who is the WWE's most ethereal presence heated up when Finn Balor employed the Houdini act against Bray Wyatt on last week's episode of Raw.

It's usually the "Eater of Worlds" who specialises in scare tactics like those, and will no doubt have had his feathers ruffled with being on the receiving end.

How will Bray Wyatt react to the blow dealt to his ego by Finn Balor?

If his track record is anything to go by, this feud is about to get much more personal very quickly.

What remains to be seen is how far Bray Wyatt can really afford to push Finn Balor before the human snaps and the "Demon King" emerges?

#4 Saying bye to Bayley?

Is Bayley's SummerSlam over before it begins?

Bayley sustained a shoulder injury during the match against Nia Jax last week on Raw, and it remains to be seen if she is even fit to compete against Alexa Bliss at SummerSlam.

While many are attributing the injury to a freak accident, isn't it highly suspicious that she met her fate at the hands of the Champion's BFF, Nia?

So while the unfortunate timing of the injury may render Bayley unable to compete, I'm sure Alexa Bliss must feel that half her job is done.

Even if Bayley is declared fit in time for SummerSlam, her compromised shoulder is a glaring weakness that is begging to be exploited.

How will this confusing scenario play out? Will Bayley be allowed to compete? Or will another Superstar rise to challenge Alexa Bliss for her Raw Women's Championship?

#5 Last Man Not Standing

Recipe for disaster

It's pretty obvious that all hell will break loose when Roman Reigns faces Braun Strowman in a Last Man Standing match on Raw this week.

These two absolutely cannot stand each other and have done everything in their power to destroy the other man over the last couple of months.

But is this Last Man Standing match, just weeks away from SummerSlam, too much to ask of them?

Both men are supreme competitors, meaning that neither will stay down willingly for the 10 count and both will do their utmost to debilitate the other while they're at it.

Is this a prudent scenario with the Fatal Fourway against Brock Lesnar and Samoa Joe looming? Speaking of which, will Samoa Joe have something to say about proceedings when these two powerhouses do battle on Monday?

To find out, make sure you catch this week's episode of Raw!