5 Things WWE subtly told us on RAW: Top feud to continue until 2022, Former NXT Champion to join popular heel faction?

Seth Rollins was shaken by Sonya Deville's announcement on RAW
Seth Rollins was shaken by Sonya Deville's announcement on RAW

It's a new era for Monday Night RAW and we witnessed an excellent season premiere. The advertised RAW Tag Team Title match between RK-Bro and AJ Styles & Omos didn't happen, with The Dirty Dawgs getting a shot instead and losing their opportunity on the show.

Austin Theory continued to make a splash on RAW by beating Dominik Mysterio, who happens to be the same age as him. There was a lot that happened, but no mention of Survivor Series, which means that the build to the pay-per-view may only begin next week. Here's what WWE subtly told us on the season premiere of RAW.


#5 A new era of RAW meant new challengers for Big E

WWE Champion Big E is the face of RAW's new era, which is why it was apt for him to open the season premiere. What ensued was interesting.

While we feared WWE rehashing feuds, they ensured that the following competitors who came out were all fresh faces on RAW.

Those four names, of course, were Seth Rollins, Rey Mysterio, Finn Balor, and Kevin Owens. As you can see, these were four previous SmackDown stars freshly drafted to the red brand. This guaranteed a fresh challenger for Big E, as he hadn't crossed paths with them on SmackDown.

What it led to was a Fatal Four-Way match to determine the No.1 Contender for the WWE Championship. Sonya Deville upped the stakes by making it a Ladder match - one that was always going to be of pay-per-view quality.

The bout lasted for close to half an hour (including ad breaks), and Seth Rollins was the man who emerged as Big E's first WWE Title challenger of the new era. While some might question why Rollins is getting a push right after losing to Edge, this isn't the first time.

Last year, after losing to Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 36, Seth Rollins was the first in line to challenge Drew McIntyre for the WWE Title (if you discount Big Show/Paul Wight). Seth Rollins losing to Edge wasn't a knock on him. It was simply to give the right ending to their storyline.

Edge will be on RAW as well, but it's unclear as to whether he will be a part of Survivor Series. Seth Rollins was the obvious pick since he was the only heel in the match, while Balor, Mysterio, and Owens are all babyfaces.

Big E came to congratulate Seth Rollins, and they had a tense staredown where The Messiah laughed at his face and said that he wouldn't do anything. Unfortunately for Seth Rollins, he won't become a three-time WWE Champion.

Big E is set for a huge win over Seth Rollins. Following Survivor Series, Day 1 is the next pay-per-view, so the match is most likely going to happen on RAW. Perhaps WWE could drag on the feud until early 2022.

#4 A tease for Keith Lee on RAW

Keith "Bearcat" Lee returned to RAW after a while to face Cedric Alexander. Given the size difference between the two, it shouldn't be surprising that it was just a squash match.

But what was more interesting was the aftermath of the match. Shelton Benjamin, who was by Alexander's side, teased getting into a scuffle with Lee. However, the look he gave him seemed to suggest that there were other intentions in mind.

Shelton Benjamin didn't tease going after Keith Lee, but he seemed to tease recruiting him into The Hurt Business. While Lee has only been a babyface so far on RAW, he might just be what The Hurt Business needs if they're planning to continue their run.

The Hurt Business reunion happened recently without MVP on TV, and it's been disappointing so far. Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin's only role on RAW has been to take the fall. There hasn't even been much involvement from Bobby Lashley.

Is Keith Lee needed for The Hurt Business' redemption on RAW?

#3 Damian Priest gets a big change in the new era of RAW

United States Champion Damian Priest made his return to RAW after three weeks for the season premiere. While it wasn't a US Title match, it certainly did well enough to get him back on RAW.

Damian Priest has had a change of theme song and the "Archer of Infamy" character might be a thing of the past. The opinions seem split on his new entrance track, but perhaps moving in a new direction is the way to go.

Priest has been one of the most-pushed superstars in WWE this year, and him staying on RAW in the Draft was the right move. He defeated T-BAR via DQ, possibly continuing it and making it a feud.

It was an interesting change in character and presentation for Damian Priest. There have been rumors of certain stars getting a makeover, and even though it's been working for Damian Priest, a change might be a good thing for him in the long run.

The Intercontinental Champion will be the next focus of Damian Priest as Survivor Series comes around.

#2 The Bianca Belair-Becky Lynch feud officially drags on to RAW

Bianca Belair was the face of SmackDown for a good chunk of 2021, and she could be the same for RAW. But Becky Lynch is the big obstacle in her path as the current RAW Women's Champion.

Since Becky Lynch pinned Sasha Banks at Crown Jewel, Bianca Belair remained in the title hunt. While the EST Of WWE winning the RAW Women's Title and Sasha Banks winning the SmackDown Women's Title would have changed a lot, we had the Championship swap anyway.

Bianca Belair confronted Becky Lynch on RAW and demanded a match against her. While she was refused at first, Belair made her statement by attacking Becky Lynch brutally. This provoked Big Time Becks to accept her offer - but not tonight.

It will be interesting to see how the feud plays out. Since WWE didn't begin the build to Survivor Series on RAW, they'll be having the Women's Title match next week. It was officially announced on RAW. We can only assume that post-this, the build to Survivor Series will begin.

Unfortunately for Bianca Belair, it means she won't be getting a Title push for the rest of 2021.

#1 Queen Zelina's reign begins on RAW

Queen Zelina had her coronation on RAW. She was announced as the first official queen for WWE, which means that Charlotte Flair's was merely a nickname. Either way, what was notable about this segment was that Zelina Vega began using a mix of a British accent along with her normal American one for some odd reason.

She faced Doudrop in a Queen's Crown tournament rematch, and defeated her once again. This time, she had to use the help of her royal scepter to attack Doudrop and pick up the win.

A big push could be coming for Queen Zelina. One thing seems certain - that she will be part of the RAW Women's Survivor Series team. Whether or not she gets a title push is yet to be seen, but it seems unlikely while Becky Lynch is still the ARW Women's Champion.

Since Queen Zelina is a heel, it's easier to see her as a challenger when Bianca Belair becomes the babyface champion of RAW instead. Will Queen Zelina fulfill her potential on RAW?

Ex WWE writer blasts Liv Morgan HERE

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