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Welcome to this week's edition of RAW Preview. We're still a few weeks away from the next pay-per-view and WWE decided to keep a month-long gap between SummerSlam and Extreme Rules.
The build started promisingly on RAW, with some good feuds set up for Extreme Rules. In what seems to be a rare move, WWE announced quite a few matches in advance this week for RAW. Here's what you need to look forward to:
#5. What is next for Bobby Lashley on RAW?
Bobby Lashley didn't have a great night last Monday on RAW. He was originally scheduled for a non-title match against Sheamus, but that got quietly pulled from the card after plans seemingly changed.
Instead, we had all the RAW male champions out (minus Reggie) and it led to a Triple Threat Match for the United States title between Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, and Damian Priest, while WWE Champion Lashley and MVP faced RK-Bro in the main event for the RAW Tag Team titles.
Both matches were great, but the main event didn't end well for Lashley. Riddle got the pin over MVP, while Lashley's night on RAW ended with him receiving an RKO.
Here is the confusing part – there are clear directions for this episode of RAW for the US title and the Tag Team titles, which we'll get to later. But funnily enough, there seems to be nothing for Lashley.
This isn't a good sign for Lashley since he is likely in for a monotonous or uneventful couple of months. The match against Goldberg seems set in stone, with WWE expected to make the announcement later on for a match between the two at Crown Jewel.
Lashley is still going to be on the Extreme Rules card, but for some odd reason, WWE has decided to prioritize a direction for every other title but the most prestigious championship in the entire wrestling/sports entertainment industry.
Lashley might be put into a lackluster feud and a predictable title defense at Extreme Rules 2021. This isn't a good position for WWE to put their top world champion in.
#4. Rhea Ripley & Nikki A.S.H. face Women's Tag Team Champions Natalya & Tamina on RAW
It's been a successful couple of weeks for the two former RAW Women's Champions Rhea Ripley and Nikki A.S.H. Both women were involved in the RAW Women's Championship picture up until SummerSlam, and they gracefully exited following their defeat.
However, the chemistry that the two women have is undeniable. They first teamed up on the RAW after SummerSlam to beat former Women's Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler.
Last week, Nikki A.S.H. played a role as Rhea Ripley defeated Shayna Baszler.
Things are going to be different this week as they face the current Women's Tag Team Champions Natalya and Tamina. Rhea Ripley and Nikki A.S.H. have been successful on RAW so far and that luck could continue.
If it does, a victory would mean an instant tag team title shot, either on RAW or at Extreme Rules. Given how quickly the duo have been progressing, it wouldn't be surprising to see WWE push them to the tag team title picture as soon as tonight.
#3. A 7–Tag Team turmoil match to determine the next challengers to RK-Bro on RAW
Suddenly, RAW's Tag Team division doesn't look as thin as it did before. As it turns out, when you gather them all together, there is an actual tag team division. Given the number of teams being utilized in the last four months, it's easy to forget that.
But this week's 7-team tag team turmoil match involves quite a few new faces. For RK-Bro, it could mean a brand new challenge. The teams involved are: The Viking Raiders, The New Day, AJ Styles & Omos, Mustafa Ali & Mansoor, Lince Dorado & Gran Metalik, Jinder Mahal & Veer, and T-BAR & Mace.
Last week, the main event saw RK-Bro defeat WWE champion Bobby Lashley and MVP in a successful title defense. It was a huge boost for the duo as a team, and they will likely be hoping for new RAW Tag Team title challengers to emerge.
The favorites will be AJ Styles & Omos, The New Day, and The Viking Raiders. The last two have had long tenures as a tag team together. However, it wouldn't be surprising to see AJ Styles & Omos emerge as the victors, especially since they have been looming around the RAW Tag Team Champions post-SummerSlam.
#2. Charlotte Flair defends the RAW Women's Title against Nia Jax
Last week on RAW, Charlotte Flair faced Nia Jax instead of any kind of confrontation with Alexa Bliss. It was a bit weird since on the RAW after SummerSlam, it was hinted that Alexa Bliss would be Charlotte's next opponent.
That could still be the case and it might happen at Extreme Rules 2021. However, on RAW tonight, Charlotte will have a rematch with Nia with the RAW Women's title on the line.
Last week, Charlotte lost to Nia in a slightly botch-filled match. It seemed like things had gotten real between the two women, but hopefully, those issues are sorted out.
None of that matters as Charlotte has a crucial title defense against Nia. Charlotte is currently on Women's Championship #12, and she will hope that it won't end as quickly as some of her previous title reigns.
Ironically, this isn't even her second-shortest reign as a Women's Champion. What's most likely to happen is that we see Charlotte retain and, eventually, getting confronted by Alexa.
#1. Drew McIntyre faces Sheamus in a US Title #1 contender's match on RAW
The highlight last week was undoubtedly Damian Priest's successful US title defense against Drew McIntyre and Sheamus. Surprisingly, it was Drew McIntyre who took the pinfall, helping to further elevate Priest on RAW.
While it seemed like Sheamus will instantly be next in line for a US title rematch, that isn't the case. He will face his old rival McIntyre on RAW in a #1 contender's match for a US title shot at Extreme Rules.
It's a shame that WWE never goes through with a full-fledged Sheamus-McIntyre feud. It's a good time to do so, and the duo never got to have an actual payoff despite their match at Fastlane 2021.
There's a lot more for us to see between Sheamus and McIntyre, but that isn't going to happen just yet. Ideally, a singles feud between them will be good, but only one can go on to face Priest at Extreme Rules.
Sheamus could be the frontrunner to challenge Priest – which means that could beat McIntyre on RAW.
