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This week's episode of RAW could be loaded with surprises and moments that get us in the mood to tune in and catch Backlash airing live next weekend. RAW has been hit-and-miss in the past and when you're advertising the 'greatest wrestling match ever', the shows leading up to the contest need to live up to the hype.
But the question remains- what can WWE potentially do to get us all excited for the upcoming pay-per-view on RAW this week? Well, Vince McMahon and his team of creative geniuses led by Paul Heyman could put on a show for the ages with the following surprises, in my opinion.
Be sure to leave a comment and let me know your thoughts in the comments section below. I would love to see the following surprises on this week's episode of RAW.
#5 Randy Orton destroys Christian upon his return to RAW
So Christian is returning to RAW this week for the 'Peep Show' with Edge and this is guaranteed to be a critical angle as WWE builds to the greatest wrestling match ever. One thing that we know for sure is that Christian is still beloved by a majority of the fans who tune in every week to watch RAW. What this means is that the best device to build heel heat for Christian would be to have him get beaten up by Randy Orton, preferably with a steel chair maybe to open RAW.
For the rest of the episode, Edge could start losing his temper and this could lead to their clash at Backlash with a semblance of actual, legitimate heat. It could be a thread that runs across the span of RAW, keeping viewers engaged from the start to the finish of the show.
#4 R-Truth brings the 24/7 Championship to RAW, loses it to Akam
The 24/7 Championship had been gone for a long time from RAW when Rob Gronkowski decided to take it to the NFL, but now we're glad to report that R-Truth is the Champion once again. And the best thing about this is that it will allow for R-Truth to return to RAW and mix it up with some of the more underutilized names in the current roster who are maybe not getting the screen time they should.
One of the names who could be doing so much more is certainly Akam from The AoP, while Rezar is absent from the RAW roster on account of the injury that he has sustained. Having the big man in the 24/7 Championship picture could also allow us to see his personality.
FTR was on the Jim Cornette podcast recently and spoke about how they were not allowed to showcase the fact that they have a personality so these are the opportunities that shine once in a while for RAW stars.
#3 Robert Roode moves over to RAW from SmackDown
RAW is a little short when it comes to heels because we know that the two top Champions- Drew McIntyre and Apollo Crews will need more and more people to work with, in the days and weeks that follow. And we all know that a whole bunch of Superstars was let go from RAW in light of the current economic crisis in what was one of the saddest days in WWE history, not long ago.
Robert Roode is someone who is not being used on SmackDown and can go on to have great matches with both Drew McIntyre and Apollo Crews. He is one of the best storytellers in the division and if the need of the hour is to make one's opponent looks good, there are few in the company, on RAW, SmackDown, or NXT that can do the job better than Robert Roode. Yes, he was stuck at home in Canada but with Kevin Owens back in the mix and Brock Lesnar working WrestleMania, there are always ways if WWE wills it.
AJ Styles went from RAW to SmackDown, so it makes sense for a glorious arrival from the Blue brand to the red one, does it not?
#2 Lana declares herself as the special guest referee on RAW for the Backlash match
Sportskeeda's pride and joy, Gary Cassidy had a chance to engage in conversation with the amazing RAW Superstar Bobby Lashley not long ago. It's a pretty short interview in any case, so if you have a minute, do check it out before you move to the final point of my RAW surprises.
Suffice to say that the match between Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre will be the biggest match that the big man has been in, since his arrival to RAW from Impact Wrestling.
We know that the build to the match has been off the hook and in a lot of ways, it may be described as truly and utterly chaotic. What this means is that RAW officials will want someone to maintain peace in the upcoming match. What it also means is that Lana can politic her way and become the special guest referee with her charming ways and means, because she has been at odds with MVP in recent times.
Lana is bound to be involved in the Backlash match in some way, and this is definitely a way that makes complete sense.
#1 Vink and Thorne attack the Viking Raiders during the RAW decathlon match
On last week's episode of RAW Talk, it was announced that after a basketball match, an ax-throwing contest, a showdown on the golf course (featuring an alligator) and of course, a showdown in the bowling alley with many turkey legs, The Street Profits, and the Viking Raiders will participate in a decathlon on next week's episode of RAW.
Yes, I am pretty certain that I am not the only person who finds this angle a little silly and over-the-top and so, what it essentially needs is a serious dose of realism. By introducing Brendan Vink and Shane Thorne into the RAW Championship picture, under the leadership of MVP, this is an angle that can be remedied and the title picture can become serious once again.
It will also help to establish MVP as the top manager on RAW, who has a stable of some of the most talented individuals chomping at the bit to take down the top Champions who rule the roost in the red brand.
