5 Matches that must happen on Raw in 2018

How many times have you tuned into Monday Night Raw and realized the main event of the flagship show was another repetitive tag team match? Well in the recent months the number of times that has happened has been too high.

The WWE creative team's ability or in this case inability to structure an episode of Raw that keeps viewers entertained, engaged and most of all interested in their product is disappointing, as week after week similar match, similar outcomes and similar scenarios are overly relied on to fill three hours.

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Moreover, it is surprising to note that WWE's inconsistent handling of the red brand is the polar opposite of what they are accomplishing with Smackdown Live on Tuesday nights. The land of opportunity boasts fresh matches with fresh talent in brand new narratives which has earned the blue brand the title of being the A show in WWE. Moreover, if WWE desires to improve their ratings, live attendance and overall interested in the red brand they need to do one thing, book important matches.

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#1 Ronda Rousey in action

Rousey is yet to make her Raw debut.

Ronda Rousey's performance at WrestleMania 34 was career-defining, as all the criticism about her wooden mic skills, her stiffness in the ring and 'acting' ability were entirely overshadowed by the pure intensity she had shown in the squared circle.

And when it came to her competing in her first singles match fans were sceptical about her experience to compete in a one on one situation as now she had no help from Kurt Angle or Triple H to mask her inabilities, but once again Rousey proved that she belongs in a ring whether it has eight sides or four.

Now that Rousey has blown minds twice on pay-per-view, WWE quickly needs to get her competing on Raw, as she would most likely be in danger of falling into an unfortunate category, the part-timer category. Rousey's rampant run most recently on Raw was akin to the destruction Brock Lesnar caused the night after WrestleMania 31, which also saw Lesnar suspended from the company for his unruly behaviour.

While many realized that Rousey is competing on pay-per-view to protect her drawing power, Rousey could become the next Lesnar of WWE if they keep using her in a part-time role.

Therefore, the easiest way to sort out this issue is having the former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion compete on Raw in a match that would make history. Moreover, the current state of the women's division is such that WWE should take the necessary steps in resurrecting it with full force and Rousey is that answer.

Whether it's battling the odds against The Riott Squad, wrestling a classic against Ember Moon or finally getting her hands on Alexa Bliss, Rousey is the future of the Raw women's division, and WWE should capitalize on that.

#2 A serious Raw Tag Team Title match

The Raw tag team division needs one match to rejuvenate it.

When WWE is relying on a former jobber squad to carry the Raw tag team division possibly, that signals a huge problem with the red brand's creative team. While the B Team's Cinderella-like story has been entertaining, it has been done before and too many times.

Not only is the state of the Raw Tag Team Title feud surprisingly disappointing, but the entire condition of the tag division is also abysmally in ruins, as the 2018 Superstar Shakeup deprived the red brand's tag division of world-class teams. Teams such as The Bar and had denied them the opportunity to inject excitement into the flagship show via teams such as The New Day and The Usos.

Nevertheless, with the likes of the Authors of Pain, Drew Mcintyre and Dolph Ziggler and a possibly reunited American Alpha, Raw's tag division could witness its resurgence sooner rather than later. And what better way to signal that much needed change than to have a tag team classic take place on Raw this year, depending on which team has the titles, WWE need to make fans believe that the Raw Tag Team Titles are more than just mid-card props and more like accolades of honour that signify the best possible tag team on Raw.

From matches such as the Authors o Pian vs. a rejuvenated Revival to Drew Mcintyre and Dolph Ziggler vs. Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy, Raw needs a number one tag team on their show that can bring legitimacy to the titles, to the division and the concept of tag team wrestling. Moreover, it all starts with one classic on an episode of Raw that would have fans buzzing for a long time.

#3 John Cena competing for the IC Title

The one title that has eluded Cena his entire career.

John Cena's 2017/2018 WWE run has been the most disappointing in his legendary career. From participating in throwaway pay-per-view matches to losing to the Undertaker in a dream match gone wrong, WWE has struggled to find a way to utilize the 16-time World Champion.

Furthermore, recent rumors suggest that Cena could shockingly make his way down to Full Sail Arena to compete in a dream match with the hottest talent NXT has to offer, but if one must be realistic, it is unlikely that Cena would compete in an NXT ring, but as they say, expect the unexpected in wrestling.

Therefore, the one match that Cena needs to have to round off a perfect career is a match for the IC Championship. The IC Title is the one championship that has eluded the leader of the Cenation his entire career and thus making him is one the few active legends that are not a grand slam champion.

While world wants to see Cena take on the Undertaker one more time or Cena returning to face the World Champion, it makes the most sense in a storytelling perspective for Cena to return to Raw for one reason only, and that is the quest to become IC Champion.

Cena could receive his shot via an open challenge or directly challenging the champion for the match, either way, Cena's presence on Raw would garner more interest in the wider WWE fanbase, as the star power, prestigious and significance Cena brings to the table would immensely benefit the evolution of the IC Title. Matches against the likes of Seth Rollins, Dolph Ziggler and even Drew Mcintyre for the IC title would be classics written in Raw's history books.

#4 A number one contender's match with stakes

While WWE has started shifting their number one contender's matches on pay-per-view, they may need a change of pace.

When was the last time Raw had a number one contender match that felt truly important to the viewer? As challengers and champions are too easy to predict in WWE's age of playing it safe. The title of being called number one contender for any major title should be an honour second to one as it makes the superstar in that position the best wrestler on the show.

However, Raw in the past has chosen number one contenders in the most foolish way possible, examples such as Nia Jax challenging Ronda Rousey on the NBCUniversal Upfront; Roman Reigns continually being given opportunities against Brock Lesnar and most mid card titles match being spawn from a superstar wanting to avenge an ambush is just lazy writing.

WWE has not produced a valid number, one contender, since Finn Balor beat Reigns back in 2016 to challenge Seth Rollins for the right to be the first ever Universal Champion, and ever since then, championship contenders have been determined via storylines, not engaging matches.

An excellent example of a recent landscape changing number one contender win was Rusev winning the gauntlet match on SmackDown Live to face AJ Styles for the WWE Title at Extreme Rules, which win made SmackDown Live feel important and made the number one contender Rusev feel relevant to be in that favourable position.

While at Extreme Rules Raw would be determining their number one contender for the Universal Championship, and the build-up to that match would most likely include tons of rehashed tag matches, and singles matches fans have seen before.

Therefore, for Raw to break that cycle, the WWE creative team should book number one contender matches that are must see with two opponents that are indeed the best in their division going at it.

As a number one contender match between the likes of Seth Rollins and Finn Balor would be epic beyond proportion as both men have one goal to become Universal Champion, as Balor is out to regain the title he never lost and Rollins goal is to climb the ladder once again.

Alternatively, a match between Sasha Banks and Bayley for the right to challenge for the Women's Title would be epic as WWE have already put years of build into their programmes thus their malicious intent to destroy each other would make for an engaging contest.

Therefore, when its all said and done WWE need to bring more importance to the title of being called number one contender and they can do that by defining both opponents motivations, raise the stakes and book a narrative that ties the entire contest together which would make for a stellar aw classic.

#5 A Universal Title match

The Universal Title needs to be legitimized Raw's top prize.

When it comes to the Universal Title, fans frustration has reached a breaking point, as the absence of the title on Raw has hurt the red brand in more ways than one. As all the main event talent have no direction, the mid-card has become increasingly overloaded, and the show has not felt important as the top prize is continuously absent

Moreover, that has made Brock Lesnar the most hated heel on the roster as his nonchalant attitude towards fans, his 'lazy in-ring style according to aficionados and most importantly the fact that he has 'hijacked' the Universal Title, has taken fan frustration to the next level. But the reality is, Lesnar would not hold Raw's top belt for much longer as plans indicate he would lose it Roman Reigns at Summerslam.

Moreover, for anyone following Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar for the past few years are already grown tired of watching these two men fight, as everything that WWE could do in this feud has been done, kicking out of multiple F5's, dozens of suplexes, broken tables, monotonous promos and roster separating brawls have been overdone. Therefore, instead of putting Lesnar vs. Reigns in the main of a pay-per-view for the umpteenth time, WWE should do what no one has ever expected and book the final match to this feud on Raw this year.

And as crazy as that sounds, it makes sense. WWE could use the narrative of Lesnar not defending his title for months on end, and book him to defend it as soon as possible which is on Raw. This would be the Raw boost needs as Lesnar competing for the first time in a decade on Raw with Universal Title on the line in the main event would make news headlines for weeks on end.

Even if it is not against Roman Reigns, the threat of 'Mr. Monster in the Bank' Braun Strowman waiting in anticipation for Lesnar to set foot on Raw again can set up a rematch between them, as by analyzing Strowman's persona he would most likely announce his cash in beforehand thus setting up a match, and that could also be on Raw.

Whether its Strowman vs. Lesnar, Lesnar vs. Reigns or even a new champions defending his title down the line, WWE needs to legitimize the Universal Title, and that should happen on the brand.

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