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RAW began the build to SummerSlam last week with a strong episode and an incredible ending. We're less than a month away from WWE's biggest pay-per-view of 2021 and some high-stakes rivalries and matches will unfold.
This week's edition of RAW will feature Mansoor and Mustafa Ali teaming up against two unknown opponents, Eva Marie and Doudrop starting a feud with Alexa Bliss, a new babyface run for 24/7 Champion Reginald and more!
Hopefully, the Red brand picks up the pace and delivers a great episode. There's a lot that can happen this week, so here is what you need to look forward to on RAW tonight:
#5. Nikki A.S.H.'s reign as the RAW Women's Champion begins
Last week's episode of RAW ended with quite the climax. The previous night, Nikki A.S.H. won the Women's Money in the Bank briefcase. As is the tradition in the women's division, the briefcase was cashed in within a day.
Charlotte Flair became the victim of a third superstar cashing in the women's MITB briefcase on her as Nikki took advantage of her beaten-up state to win the RAW Women's Championship.
The Queen's 11th Women's Championship reign (not counting her two NXT title runs) ended within a day after she faced Rhea Ripley in the main event of RAW and then suffered a beatdown at the hands of the former Women's Champion.
It was the right place and right time for Nikki A.S.H., who will look to usher in a new era in the RAW Women's division. Ripley could still be in the mix, but that seems uncertain. Charlotte Flair, being the previous title holder, will most likely go back for the title. Flair has been in the RAW Women's title picture since April and it doesn't look like it will stop.
The only other question is where Becky Lynch fits into all of this. She was expected to return post-WrestleMania, but it has been delayed for various reasons. Since Lynch never lost the RAW Women's Championship, she has the claim of being the "true" champion with a case for an immediate title shot.
We're not sure when she will re-enter the mix, but it may not be to Nikki A.S.H.'s benefit. Nikki is unlikely to drop the RAW Women's Championship tonight, but she might only have a short title reign, whether it's a week, two weeks, or until SummerSlam 2021.
Either way, it's an exciting fresh start for the RAW Women's division.
#4. Sheamus to face a big US title challenge on RAW?
Sheamus hasn't had the best United States Championship reign on RAW. While he has been a bit of an "Anti-Champion" with his title defenses, the bigger problem is the fact that there have only been two contenders since April - Ricochet and Humberto Carrillo.
At first, it seemed as though the Sheamus-Carrillo program on RAW was abruptly scrapped in favor of Ricochet, but WWE flip-flopped and went back to the first program.
Last week on RAW, The Celtic Warrior seemed to have definitively put Carrillo behind him with a victory over the latter. Watching on backstage was Damian Priest, who was clearly teased as the next United States title challenger.
We don't expect Sheamus to defend his title much on RAW, especially with SummerSlam being a month away. This will benefit Priest, who is closing in on six months since his WWE debut at the 2021 Royal Rumble. He seems to be next in line for the US title and a Championship push seems to be coming his way this SummerSlam.
#3. Jinder Mahal will look for retribution against Drew McIntyre on RAW
Jinder Mahal vs. Drew McIntyre is a feud that got heated on RAW last week. It was The Modern Day Maharaja's birthday and he was celebrating on RAW with his two henchmen Veer and Shanky.
While the latter delivered an awful rendition of "Happy Birthday", it had a happy ending from the WWE Universe's perspective. McIntyre appeared out of nowhere and hit Mahal with a steel chair before taking out Veer and unleashing on Shanky.
The photo above is a perfect representation of the real shots that Shanky had to face as a form of punishment on Jinder Mahal's behalf. The feud on RAW is now going to get more heated than ever and the SummerSlam collision could be exciting.
So far, Jinder Mahal thought he stole Drew McIntyre's family heirloom, but it was a fake. McIntyre destroyed Mahal's bike on RAW and one of his henchmen a week later.
With Jinder Mahal costing Drew McIntyre the Money in the Bank ladder match, how far will both men go on RAW to get one over the other?
#2. What lies ahead in the RAW Tag Team title picture?
The RAW Tag Team division has been underwhelming for a few years now. It was only a few years ago when there were fresh and young tag teams, but many have either left WWE, been released, or are simply split up.
The RAW Tag Team division doesn't have much depth, which is probably why AJ Styles and Omos haven't had a great or entertaining reign with the titles. The Viking Raiders have been their most significant challengers so far, but they've mostly gotten the better of their rivals.
This week, The Viking Raiders will once again challenge AJ Styles and Omos for the RAW Tag Team Championships.
Last week on RAW, Styles and Omos teamed up with John Morrison to lose to The Viking Raiders and Riddle. When Randy Orton returns, we expect RK-Bro to emerge as RAW Tag Team title contenders soon. Hopefully, they'll be the team that benefits from a big victory over AJ Styles and Omos at SummerSlam 2021.
Until then, The Viking Raiders may, unfortunately, have to serve as a "filler feud" for Styles and Omos, who have already beaten them before in a RAW Tag Team title defense.
#1. Bobby Lashley to respond to Goldberg's challenge on RAW?
The All Mighty WWE Champion Bobby Lashley hosted an open challenge on RAW last week. It was Keith Lee who returned to the ring after five months away, but it wasn't a successful one.
Lashley's momentum continued as he defeated the hard-hitting Lee in a good match. Immediately after, however, the former's SummerSlam plans were made clear.
WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg returned to RAW for the first time since January 2021 and went face-to-face with Bobby Lashley. He simply said that he was next and MVP looked like he had to hold back Lashley from starting a brawl on RAW.
Backstage after the segment on RAW, Bobby Lashley and MVP looked flustered. The latter stated that he wouldn't even dignify Goldberg with a response. However, the challenge has still been made and the WWE Champion has to respond this week.
Will Bobby Lashley follow Roman Reigns and decline his challenger on RAW, or will he accept Goldberg's WWE title challenge? It will be interesting to see, although we don't expect the Hall of Famer to make an appearance this week on RAW.
