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SmackDown has set the bar this week with one of the more exciting shows in recent memory and WWE RAW needs to follow its example, because, in terms of viewership, it could honestly really use a shot in the arm. The key is to be creative, and the key is to be unconventional, and with Bruce Prichard at the helm for WWE RAW, much like SmackDown, this is certainly possible.
In this article, I will try and list out a few highlights we could certainly see on this week's episode of WWE RAW that could take the show by storm. Be sure to leave a comment and let me know if you think these surprises will happen, and generally, put your WWE RAW booker hat on, and tell me how you would book the show as well.
So, without further ado, I present 5 big surprises that could potentially rock the show this week.
#5 Aleister Black showcases his new character on WWE RAW, after losing an eye
Aleister Black recently put up a very interesting post on his Instagram speaking about 're-writing' four years of his own history and getting rid of weakness. A lot of WWE RAW fans and industry pundits came to the conclusion that there's a change of character in store for the man. And why wouldn't there be, considering that he recently lost an eye?
Now, this is another very interesting post that Aleister Black put up and one has to wonder if the new character will be a step in this direction. After losing his eye on WWE RAW, he will need to conceal it in some manner and there is no better way to achieve this than with a creative mask of this nature. It could become a very popular collectible in the future too.
#4 Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler decide to team up on WWE RAW, in light of the heat they are facing from WWE officials
The ongoing storyline is that the Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax storyline on WWE RAW is so heated at the moment, that even the officials who tried to keep them apart from one another fell victim to an extreme degree of violence, prompting Nia Jax to put up the following post on her Instagram account.
Could Shayna Baszler decide that the best way forward is for the two forces of nature to team up with one another to take Sasha Banks and Bayley down for good? Lest you forget, the WWE RAW Women's Champion and the SmackDown Women's Champion also currently hold the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships and they have no real contenders that can pry the title off them, at least in the current WWE RAW roster at the moment.
If these two women win the titles, they can also make pitstops in SmackDown and NXT in addition to WWE RAW to try their luck against talent in those rosters.
#3 Mustafa Ali turns heel after his crushing defeat on WWE RAW
MVP has been on a recruiting spree and obviously, like so many of us, he did see a wealth of talent in Mustafa Ali after his big return to WWE RAW. But Mustafa Ali chooses to chase the light instead of money and fame, and chose instead to fight against MVP.
As one would suspect, the WWE RAW star came up short against Bobby Lashley on last week's episode, and one wonders if this could lead to a change of heart in the man, going forward. While he chose not to align with The Hurt Business last week, this week is a brand new story and we could totally see him joining the faction for a very interesting run.
A heel Mustafa Ali could have a very heated program with Apollo Crews when the man is cleared and ready to return to action once again. It may not be as interesting as the hacker storyline but would still be a step up for the talented young man.
#2 Asuka finds a brand new ally in her fight against Sasha Banks and Bayley on WWE RAW
Asuka can do a great number of things on her own but the fact of the matter is that even someone as formidable as her cannot take on the WWE RAW Women's Champion, the SmackDown Women's Champion, as well as the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions all on her own. She will need to rely upon someone else with the departure of Kairi Sane. And this could lead to the formation of a very interesting new team.
Liv Morgan is someone who has been sitting on the sidelines and we could certainly see her show up on this week's episode of WWE RAW as a babyface to side with Asuka. Working with two seasoned veterans in Sasha Banks and Bayley could be the best thing for her career at the moment. We know that she has a great look and a wealth of potential too.
Asuka and Liv Morgan would make an unlikely team on WWE RAW but with Kairi Sane gone, it presents an interesting opportunity.
#1 Randy Orton takes out yet another legend on WWE RAW
Do you remember this random appearance from Mark Henry on WWE RAW? The fact of the matter is that what appears random at first, may not be entirely random overall, and may play a key role in a key storyline on the WWE RAW brand.
Yes, of course, Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre are waging war at the moment, but the fact of the matter is that WWE RAW also has a lot of time to kill before SummerSlam comes around. You cannot just have the two bulls take each other on, every week, and the big brawl should be reserved for SummerSlam to keep the clash fresh and special.
So, the 'legend killer' Randy Orton could show up on WWE RAW this week and take Mark Henry down in a brutal and heated encounter.
Whenever you have a moment or two, please check out this interview conducted by Gary Cassidy which could be a precursor to something even bigger over the coming weeks.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
