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Welcome to this week's edition of RAW Preview. It's the go-home episode of RAW to the Royal Rumble, and while the Red brand hasn't been too impressive in the build to the pay-per-view, there's a lot at stake. With less than a week left for the road to WrestleMania to begin, here's what to expect from RAW tonight.
#5. Is Alexa Bliss set for another major Championship victory on RAW?
Alexa Bliss invited Asuka to her Playground last week on RAW, and it was there that she declared herself as an entrant to the 2021 Royal Rumble. For some reason, Asuka doesn't have a RAW Women's title match booked for the Royal Rumble.
But she does have an opponent for RAW - Alexa Bliss. In the main event of RAW, Alexa Bliss defeated Asuka in a stunning one-sided match and pinned her with the Sister Abigail. She faces Asuka for the RAW Women's title, and she could capture the sixth singles title in WWE.
Given how one-sided last week's non-title match, the assumption would be that Alexa Bliss is almost guaranteed another title. But that's not the only story that plays into this.
There's the entire Randy Orton factor that can't be ignored. Last week, Randy Orton revealed that he was wearing a mask to cover his face after Alexa Bliss shot a ball of fire on it. With a match against The Fiend Bray Wyatt still rumored for the Royal Rumble, there could be a lot happening in this match.
Randy Orton could end up helping Asuka retain the RAW Women's Championship. It wouldn't be a big, heroic move, but one to spite Alexa Bliss. How The Fiend plays into all of this, we can't be sure, but if there's any time for him to return - it's on the RAW before the Royal Rumble.
#4. Drew McIntyre and Goldberg return to RAW
Drew McIntyre and Goldberg are both returning to RAW after three weeks. Goldberg returned on the RAW Legends Night to issue a WWE Title challenge to Champion Drew McIntyre at the Royal Rumble.
A week later, it was revealed that Drew McIntyre tested positive for COVID-19 (asymptomatic). It took him less than two weeks to recover, and he has been cleared for a return to RAW.
We can expect a confrontation between Goldberg and Drew McIntyre before their WWE title match. However, a major twist would be if Goldberg turned heel for the first time in his WWE career. Although he has been against the idea, it would be a refreshing way to keep him on WWE TV for WrestleMania season.
#3. What is the future of the Elias-Jaxson Ryker alliance?
Jeff Hardy has been tangled with Elias and Jaxson Ryker on RAW. With the numbers game playing against him, it hasn't been a successful few weeks for Hardy on RAW.
However, the bigger story is the Elias-Jaxson Ryker dynamic. With Ryker clearly the stronger Superstar, it could be just a matter of time before he breaks off to start his singles run on RAW. Will it be at the expense of Jeff Hardy and Elias?
#2. Charlotte Flair takes on Shayna Baszler on RAW
Charlotte Flair takes on Shayna Baszler on RAW. While it's otherwise a pay-per-view-level match-up, the bout itself may not last long. Charlotte Flair had some success on SmackDown with Asuka against The Riott Squad, but the last two weeks of RAW have been frustrating for her.
Ric Flair turned on his own daughter to start a seemingly romantic alliance with Lacey Evans. Will Ric Flair and Lacey Evans continue to torment Charlotte Flair?
#1. Riddle has to go through a gauntlet match to get to Bobby Lashley
Gauntlet Matches have seen star-making performances in WWE in recent years, and Riddle has a similar opportunity on RAW. In what's only one step removed from a handicap bout, Riddle has to face Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander, and MVP on RAW in a gauntlet match.
The prize at stake is a United States Championship opportunity against Bobby Lashley. It's either going to end in a massive beatdown for Riddle or a defining performance that leads him to a potential United States title win.
