WWE RAW - 5 surprises that can happen: 19-year veteran to undergo character change, 2 stunning title changes to take place?

The upcoming episode of RAW is the go-home show for Fastlane 2021. While the pay-per-view has been largely criticized for its lack of depth or build, we're likely going to get a few last-minute additions to the event tonight on RAW.

After that, there will only be three episodes of RAW left on the road to WrestleMania. And things are beginning to heat up. Two major title matches are advertised, and a lot could happen in the build-up to The Show of Shows.

Let's jump right into the surprises for this week's episode of Monday Night RAW:

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#5. What is Randy Orton's fate on RAW?

Randy Orton lost to AJ Styles on RAW last week

In 2021, three things seem certain - Death, taxes, and Randy Orton suffering. Ever since he set "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt on fire at TLC 2020, he has been haunted by Alexa Bliss, and now, seemingly by a shadow of Bray Wyatt.

Randy Orton mentioned a few weeks ago that failure isn't something that he has experienced much, but he has been on the receiving end of it for a while now. He isn't convinced about Bray Wyatt returning, but he is being tormented by Alexa Bliss week after week on RAW.

Last week, Randy Orton and AJ Styles had a main-event match, and as usual, Alexa Bliss made her presence known. She wasn't really "playing with fire" as much as she was blowing out a matchstick.

That did, however, lead to three of the four ring posts shooting out a fire, distracting and stunning Randy Orton. AJ Styles took advantage when the black liquid came out of Randy Orton's mouth and finished him with the Phenomenal Forearm to end RAW.

AJ Styles has largely gotten the better of Randy Orton in their encounters since 2017, but this one was different. 19-year veteran Randy Orton will look to bounce back on RAW, but with WrestleMania only being a few weeks away, we could see a major character change from him.

Whether it will lead to a different look or not, we're not sure. But it could greatly alter his character on RAW.

#4. The New Day to challenge for the RAW Tag Team Championships

It's a big fight feel!

The Hurt Business has arguably been the most consistent part about RAW apart from Drew McIntyre. No group, team, or faction in WWE has come close in the last year.

MVP first guided Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin to the RAW tag team titles before helping Bobby Lashley secure his first WWE title. This week, Alexander and Benjamin will defend the RAW tag team titles against the team that they have clashed horns with recently - The New Day.

This should be a match for Fastlane, but it's happening on RAW. A big surprise would be if The New Day dethroned The Hurt Business less than a month before WrestleMania 37. It wouldn't be a good decision, but it's possible. Hopefully, we won't see that stunning title change just yet.

#3. Riddle's United States title reign on RAW is in major jeopardy

Riddle and Mustafa Ali

Riddle has faced an unexpected adversary in Mustafa Ali. Just a couple of weeks ago when Riddle and The Lucha House Party defeated RETRIBUTION on RAW, only for Ali to challenge a worn-down Riddle to a singles match. Taking matters into his own hands, Ali, helped by his fellow-RETRIBUTION members, pinned the United States Champion Riddle on RAW in a non-title match.

Last week on RAW, Riddle defeated Slapjack with ease, and Ali is now on the hunt for the United States Championship. It's shocking to think that in all this time, Mustafa Ali has yet to carry any gold in WWE.

If RETRIBUTION is to get pushed and have a resurgence, it needs a big win to pick up their momentum. One way is to have their leader hold a title. As a result, this could be another of the two stunning title changes that we see on RAW.

We're still not sure why this match isn't on Fastlane, but WWE must have their reasons.

#2. Will Braun Strowman get one over Shane McMahon on RAW?

Are these two men WrestleMania-bound?

Braun Strowman is in a feud with Shane McMahon on RAW and the entire basis of their rivalry is the latter considering Strowman to be a "stupid" man. This hasn't gone well with The Monster Among Men, who has had to deal with all sorts of antics from Shane McMahon.

Last week on RAW, they had two segments where Shane McMahon awkwardly rambled and goaded Braun Strowman into chasing him and a car. But it turned out, Shane McMahon never got in the car and called Braun Strowman "stupid" before walking away.

This seems to be a rib of sorts, and we're not sure if people in WWE really feel that way about Braun Strowman. Either way, a surprise this week would be if Braun Strowman got one over Shane McMahon.

If he were to outsmart him and trap him, then it would be a good look on The Monster Among Men, who is supposed to be the babyface in the rivalry.

#1. Will Drew McIntyre finally get his WWE title shot on RAW?

Drew McIntyre and Sheamus

Last week on RAW, Drew McIntyre was seemingly confirmed as the next superstar in line for Bobby Lashley's WWE title. It made sense since there weren't many names in the mix, to begin with.

But Sheamus threw a wrench in those plans and attacked him, indicating that their rivalry was far from over. It led to a No DQ match on RAW, but since both men took each other out, it was a no contest.

This might slightly delay Drew McIntyre's plan to challenge Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship. However, there are rumors that Drew McIntyre and Sheamus could have their blowoff match at Fastlane 2021.

The rumored stipulation is a Last Man Standing bout. It would be the perfect way to set Drew McIntyre up as a WWE title challenger, but a big surprise on RAW would be if he is completely kept away from the title picture. While we don't see that happening, it's not out of the realm of possibility.