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With just one week to go for the Hell in a Cell PPV, we will witness Monday Night RAW's season premiere tonight. Coming to us live from the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, WWE has announced some major appearances and segments for this week's edition of RAW.
So far, we have only three matches confirmed for the show this Sunday, and one might expect to see at least a couple more announced tonight. With this being the beginning of the "Premiere Week" on WWE television, the expectations are high for the largest wrestling promotion in the world.
Without further adieu, let's take a look at the five things you need to know before tonight's episode of Monday Night RAW. The comment section is all yours to raise your opinions and views about WWE programming.
#5 What does the Beast Incarnate have in store for us?
As announced last week on Monday Night RAW, former Universal Champion Brock Lesnar will be making a special appearance on tonight's show. A couple weeks ago, 'The Beast Incarnate' shocked the world by showing up on SmackDown to challenge WWE Champion Kofi Kingston.
The WWE Championship match between Kofi and Lesnar is set to take place this Friday, October 4th, during the inaugural episode of Friday Night SmackDown on FOX. With just a few days remaining until his WWE Championship opportunity, what does 'The Beast' have in mind when he appears on tonight's Monday Night RAW?
One simple theory discussed heavily on the internet last week is that The Fiend may attack Lesnar in the same way he has been taking out multiple Superstars over the last few months. While this could be a perfect set up for The Fiend vs Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series (provided, Lesnar wins the WWE Championship this Friday), one has to wonder whether WWE would risk portraying Lesnar as vulnerable before his clash with Kofi.
Another Superstar who might come head to head with Lesnar is Bobby Lashley. Considered by many as a dream match ever since Lashley returned to the company last year, a confrontation between 'The Beast' and 'The Almighty' could turn out to be quite the surprise.
#4 AJ Styles to defend his US Title against Cedric Alexander
While a Superstar like AJ Styles seems to be the perfect option to keep the mid-card title scene compelling, the OC being overly involved in the United States Championship feud hasn't helped a lot.
Styles and Alexander battled it out for the US Championship at Clash of Champions earlier this month, in a match that ended with Cedric Alexander falling just short of capturing the title. WWE has announced yet another bout between the two for tonight's RAW season premiere. The former 205 Live Superstar is believed to have impressed officials and higher-ups backstage with his incredible performance inside the ring.
Last week on RAW, Alexander got the better of the 'Phenomenal One' during a brief brawl. If there is one thing Styles wants to avoid, it would be taking Alexander lightly during tonight's title match.
A victory here for Alexander would arguably be the biggest win of his career and might result in a rematch with AJ Styles this Sunday at Hell in a Cell. Alexander's path to victory would not be easy with the OC lurking around to play spoiler once again.
#3 An old rivalry revisited
Another huge match announced for Monday Night RAW tonight is the battle between Women's Tag Team Champion, Alexa Bliss, and the woman who's going to face Becky Lynch inside Hell in a Cell this Sunday, Sasha Banks.
Last week on RAW, we saw 'The Boss' take out Alexa's tag team partner Nikki Cross, and now she has her eyes set on 'The Goddess.' Sasha and Bayley have been at war with the Women's Tag Champs for quite some time now, even injuring Bliss during a match on RAW a couple of weeks ago.
The sweet little Miss Bliss would surely not be in a great mood while coming out to take on Sasha tonight. The two have a storied history against each other - dating back to 2017 during their rivalry over the RAW Women's Championship. Will the Boss pick up yet another victory on her way to Hell in a Cell, or will Alexa remind her who she has picked a fight with?
One thing is for certain, RAW Women's Champion, Becky Lynch, will be looking for revenge for Sasha's backstage attack last week. 'The Man' vs 'The Boss' has been intensely personal affair so far. Look for the same to continue this week.
#2 The fate of the Universal Championship before Hell in a Cell
Last week on RAW, we witnessed Rey Mysterio win a Fatal Five-Way Match to earn the opportunity to challenge Universal Champion, Seth Rollins on this week's season premiere. With this win, the 'Master of the 619' proved to the world, and moreover himself, that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Many fans were confused to see WWE stage this match a mere 6 days before the Hell in a Cell PPV, where the Universal Champion is set to take on the creature that has scared the life out of him over the past few weeks.
While this might just be a warm-up match before the big fight, and a chance for Rollins to gain some momentum before this Sunday, a match between he and Rey Mysterio has five stars written all over it. We can all agree that there's close to zero chance of Mysterio walking out as the new Universal Champion, but that doesn't mean the match and the segment won't be must-see television.
Will Rollins be able to concentrate on his opponent with the constant threat of The Fiend on his mind? Moreover, would Bray Wyatt make his presence felt during or after this match?
#1 One last scare before Hell in a Cell?
Week after week, just when we think The Fiend can't get any more awesome, Bray Wyatt ups the ante by mesmerizing us with his creative intelligence. The Fiend has easily been the best part of RAW, and WWE in general, for quite some time now. He is currently set to take on Universal Champion Seth Rollins this Sunday inside the terrifying Hell in a Cell structure.
Last week, we saw the demonic entity take out former Wyatt Family member, Braun Strowman, during the main event bout between he and Rollins. If you are still wondering why The Fiend would go through such lengths, check out this piece.
Having earned a newfound reputation as a modern day 'Legend Killer,' The Fiend has taken out multiple Hall of Famers in the past couple of months. With Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan set to make an appearance on tonight's edition of MizTV, one has to wonder if the lights will suddenly go out.
Former WWE Superstars are not the only potential targets for Wyatt tonight, as we also have Brock Lesnar appearing on the show. Will we see 'The Beast Incarnate' choked to unconsciousness, or will Wyatt continue scaring Rollins by interfering in tonight's Universal Championship match?
Yowie wowie! However it all unveils, we can't wait to witness The Fiend appear tonight and do what he does best - destroy.
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One of Samoa Joe's colleagues had harsh words for him HERE
