WWE Raw before Hell In A Cell 2018: 5 possible scenarios

The latest episode of WWE Raw will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana on Monday.

One of the biggest storylines heading into the show surrounds the upcoming Universal Championship match between Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman, which will take place inside Hell In A Cell on Sunday.

As of the time of writing, the only match that has been announced for this week’s episode is Ronda Rousey & Natalya vs. Alexa Bliss & Alicia Fox, with Alexa set to challenge Ronda for the Raw Women’s Championship at Hell In A Cell.

Elsewhere this week, we can expect to see more development in the storyline between The Shield and the heel members of the Raw roster, especially after Seth Rollins’ nasty arm injury last week, while The B-Team and The Revival are likely to set their sights on new Raw Tag Team champions Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler.

Triple H is among the high-profile names advertised for Monday’s episode, with WWE.com stating that he will respond to last week’s confrontation between The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, while WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley will return to discuss Hell In A Cell.

Further down the card, The Authors of Pain (w/Drake Maverick) will almost certainly be featured on the show, new tag partners Chad Gable & Bobby Roode could make appearances, and Bobby Lashley and Kevin Owens are also advertised to appear.

With just six days to go until the Hell In A Cell pay-per-view, let’s take a look at what could realistically happen on Raw.

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#5 Ronda Rousey & Natalya vs. Alexa Bliss & Alicia Fox

Ronda Rousey is the Raw Women's champion

This week’s Raw emanates from the same city where Ronda Rousey made her WWE in-ring debut at WrestleMania 34.

She walked out with a victory that day, teaming with Kurt Angle to defeat Stephanie McMahon and Triple H, and the end result will surely be the same when she joins forces with Natalya to take on Alexa Bliss and Alicia Fox.

The visual of Ronda rag-dolling Alicia around the ring is bound to be played in video packages for weeks and months to come, so expect to see some more of that during a dominant victory for the babyfaces.

Prediction: Ronda Rousey & Natalya def. Alexa Bliss & Alicia Fox

#4 What next in the Tag Team Championship storyline?

Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas are obligated to a rematch

With Chad Gable & Bobby Roode, The Authors of Pain, The B-Team, The Revival and The Shield all on the Raw roster, new champions Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler have five realistic challengers for their Raw Tag Team titles heading into Hell In A Cell.

The B-Team’s comedy run with the tag titles was fun while it lasted but it would be a surprise to see them remain in the championship picture for much longer. If their rematch against Drew & Dolph takes place this week, don't expect a title change.

Prediction: Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler def. The B-Team

#3 Triple H responds to The Undertaker

The Undertaker questioned whether Shawn Michaels stayed retired out of "fear"

It has been widely speculated that WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels could come out of retirement after his intense war of words with The Undertaker on last week’s episode of Raw.

Michaels’ appearance was expected to lead to him being announced as the special guest referee for The Undertaker vs. Triple H at Super Show-Down in October, but it now looks more likely than ever that HBK could lace the boots up to face “The Deadman” one more time.

It’s tough to call what HHH will have to say about this when he appears on Raw, but let’s be bold and predict that he’ll offer Michaels, his best friend, a place in the Super Show-Down match to make it a Triple Threat.

Prediction: Triple H gives Shawn Michaels an opportunity to return

#2 What will Mick Foley say ahead of Hell In A Cell?

Mick Foley was Raw General Manager from 2016 to 2017

Twenty years on from Mick Foley’s famous fall from the top of Hell In A Cell, WWE is advertising that he will appear on this week’s Raw to discuss the career-defining moment, as well as this Sunday’s match between Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman.

Foley has a lot of history with Strowman from his time as Raw General Manager, so it would make sense for him to issue some words of warning to “The Monster Among Men” ahead of his first match inside the steel structure.

Strowman being Strowman, he’s unlikely to take kindly to advice from anybody, so let’s predict that things will get heated between the two men and The Shield will rush down to the ring to save Foley.

Prediction: The Shield rescues Mick Foley

#1 How will this week’s Raw finish?

Braun Strowman will face Roman Reigns on Sunday

The last two episodes of Raw have ended with Braun Strowman, Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler standing tall in the middle of the ring following attacks on Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose.

Last week’s attack was particularly punishing, with over a dozen heels on the Raw roster helping Strowman & Co. to attack the Shield members all over the arena.

Hell In A Cell is just six days away and The Shield is yet to get any retribution on their rivals – something that will surely change if they can recruit some babyface members of the roster to help even up the numbers at the end of Raw this week.

Prediction: The Shield stands tall