WWE RAW Preview: December 3rd, 2018

Last week's episode of RAW was...not particularly great (and that's a compliment). Somehow, the pace of the show never fully got off. Either way, let's recap what happened on the not very entertaining episode RAW last week.

Elias and Finn Balor were both victim to Baron Corbin's new group, comprising of himself, Bobby Lashley and the ever-relentless Drew McIntyre. They both faced unfair circumstances in their matches and were defeated.

AoP retained the RAW Tag Team Championship against Bobby Roode and Chad Gable after manager Drake Maverick urinated on Roode's robe (that really happened). Ember Moon defeated Alicia Fox in short order while Jinder Mahal finally picked up a W against No Way Jose.

Seth Rollins hosted an open challenge, where his old rival and the man he won the title from - Dolph Ziggler answered the challenge. After a great effort from The Showoff, Rollins defeated him once again to retain his title. There was still no presence of The Lunatic Fringe.

Meanwhile, Corbin named Alexa Bliss the new manager for the women's roster. Here's what you need to look forward to for RAW this week.

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"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey is back in action on RAW

It's going to be a rowdy tag team match-up

Last week, the RAW Women's Champion Ronda Rousey confronted Nia Jax. With Tamina on her side, the challenger Nia Jax teams up to take on Rousey and her ally, Natalya. Things are going to get really interesting as Rousey is back and wrestling on RAW.

It always feels special when she wrestles on RAW and unlike a certain world champion on the red brand, she has no qualms getting in the ring when she has to.

Will Natalya be frustrated by being overshadowed by Rousey? Could she turn on the champion?

Dean Ambrose to appear on RAW

Dean Ambrose wasn't on RAW last week

Last week, Dean Ambrose wasn't physically present on RAW, but he was at a doctor's, where he got an injection on his backside, apparently a series of vaccinations to protect himself from the disease that is the WWE Universe.

However, according to WWE.com, Ambrose has confirmed that he will be present for RAW this week. Can anyone really blame him for missing the show last week?

Either way, with just two episodes left for TLC, it's going to be interesting to see what The Lunatic Fringe has to say. Moreover, how is Seth Rollins going to respond? If you think about it, they haven't had too many face-to-face interactions since Ambrose turned on him.

Finally, they could be in the same ring at the same time. Obviously, if they are, it isn't just going to be a war of words. What will The Lunatic Fringe have to say?

Alexa Bliss settles into her new role

The Goddess has a new role

Last week, Baron Corbin appointed Alexa Bliss the manager of the RAW Women's division. It seems as though she now has a General Manager-like role. It actually makes sense if you think about it, because she's rumoured to have faced multiple concussions in a short span of time, rendering her medically unfit to compete at the moment, as per WWE doctors.

However, with that said, she is training to get back in the ring as she posted a photo of herself in the WWE Performance Center. Regardless, what doesn't make sense is the fact that she's obviously going to be very biased and Sasha Banks and Bayley were victims of that last week.

However, they did manage to fight through the Riott Squad's ambush, which made them look stronger than ever. How is Alexa Bliss' new role as manager going to impact the RAW Women's division?

A dream team in the making?

As mentioned, last week, Elias and Finn Balor were both victims of unjust treatment by Baron Corbin and the duo of Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley. The physically imposing group were put in matches and faced with unfair circumstances, suffering a vicious beatdown.

Sometime last week, WWE announced two matches for TLC: Bobby Lashley vs Elias and Finn Balor vs Drew McIntyre. Hopefully, during the PPV, it'll be a straight up singles match (though Balor doesn't seem to have much of a chance).

Now that Elias and Balor were both victims to the beatdown of the trio, don't be surprised if they form an alliance. It's true that they were rivals at one point in time last year, but Elias has changed his attitude and with a common enemy to fight against, it's best that they unite.

Elias and Finn Balor is the dream tag team that you never knew you wanted to see! Don't be surprised to see tag team action tonight with the two teaming up together.

Baron Corbin closes in on a full-time GM role

Corbin may not have as pleasant a week

Baron Corbin's abuse of authority continues and as we know, Braun Strowman is injured. He was scheduled to have a TLC match with Corbin, with his victory assuring him a Universal Championship match against Brock Lesnar. Corbin's victory, however, ensures that he replaces Kurt Angle as full-time RAW General Manager.

Strowman underwent surgery recently on his elbow and it's uncertain as to whether he'll show up at TLC. Corbin stated that even if he doesn't show up, the match will happen and he'll end up winning by forfeit!

There's one person who might have a problem with that - the current General Manager Kurt Angle. He's been away on vacation for a while but if Strowman doesn't make it, Angle might just take his spot in TLC. He has a score to settle with Corbin and it's very unlikely that he'll give up his role without a fight.

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