'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Welcome to this week's edition of RAW Preview. The build to Hell in a Cell 2021 has started well, and RAW last week was a good one. That's more than what can be said about the episodes in April, at least.
A lot will be at stake on RAW tonight, and let's begin with the WWE Championship picture, which seems to be heating up:
#5. What will happen in the potential KofiMania 2.0 on RAW?
Kofi Kingston has had many great nights in his long WWE tenure, but last week's RAW was among his finest. Not only did he mildly renew his rivalry with Randy Orton, but he beat him as well, thanks to a little assistance from Xavier Woods.
It led to some tension between Riddle and The New Day, but we'll get back to that later. MVP issued an open challenge on behalf of the WWE Champion Bobby Lashley. It was the main event of RAW, and a handful of superstars teased answering it.
Interestingly enough, Kingston came out for the challenge despite having wrestled on RAW earlier. It was only then that MVP revealed the truth about the open challenge. The WWE Championship was never on the line - it was only implied.
Despite this, Kofi Kingston went on, and it took a lot of help for him to succeed. At first, it was Xavier Woods assisting him at ringside, and Drew McIntyre soon came out and was the difference-maker in the main event of RAW.
Kingston pinned Lashley, and instant speculation about KofiMania 2.0 emerged. While it seems to be a slight repeat of that storyline from 2019, that won't be the case. Since Bobby Lashley vs Drew McIntyre is rumored for Hell in a Cell 2021, Kofi Kingston might just be a small hurdle for Lashley to overcome on RAW.
#4. The Women's Tag Team Titles are on the line again on RAW
Last week on RAW, Tamina and Natalya were the first official guests in Alexa Bliss' playground. It was a weird segment and one that predictably played into the Tag Team Title match later that night.
In a rematch from WrestleMania 37 and SmackDown, Tamina and Natalya defeated Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler. This time, however, there was a bit of help. Alexa Bliss made fire shoot out of the ring posts.
This allowed Natalya and Tamina to finish Baszler and retain the titles. This week, there will be yet another rematch, and Bliss' involvement will likely result in a controversial finish.
#3. Riddle faces Xavier Woods
Riddle has been friends with Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods for a while now. But last week, Woods helped his tag team partner defeat Randy Orton thanks to a distraction.
A furious Riddle shoved Woods post-match, indicating a bit of tension between the two. It will all come to blows this week on RAW when The Original Bro faces the latter.
#2. Sheamus' United States Title run on RAW
WWE RAW Superstars Humberto Carrillo, Mansoor, and Ricochet are three men who have attempted to enter United States Title contention but mostly failed for one reason or the other. Sheamus has been on a tear on RAW and seems to be taking out opponent after opponent.
Will there be another open challenge issued this week? Will The Celtic Warrior finally enter a serious US Title feud for the first time since WrestleMania 37?
#1. Will Charlotte remain in the RAW Women's Title hunt?
Despite doing almost the exact same thing as Drew McIntyre, Charlotte Flair was criticized by WWE authority figure Adam Pearce. She asked for a title shot by stating that she wasn't pinned at WrestleMania Backlash, which is true for both her and McIntyre.
Adam Pearce made her face long-time rival Asuka, and thanks to a distraction from RAW Women's Champion Rhea Ripley, the Japanese star walked out victoriously yet again.
Will Flair be able to make a claim for another RAW Women's Title shot, or have Asuka and Rhea Ripley completely derailed her momentum?
