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Welcome to this week's edition of things WWE subtly told us on RAW. It was a better episode than we anticipated, with the weird "axe-throwing" contest between The Viking Raiders and The Street Profits being surprisingly entertaining.
WWE decided to start the show strong with two legends in the ring and the build to Backlash has essentially begun. We're going to be talking a lot about what lies ahead at WWE Backlash. What we know for sure is that it's going to be a strong and exciting card - perhaps more so than WWE Money in the Bank 2020.
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There were a lot of different talking points throughout the show and a lot of things that were subtly told to us. Let's start with the opening segment of the night and the implications:
#8 The greatest wrestling match in the world to spin-off into a trilogy?
Last week on RAW, Randy Orton had another face-to-face confrontation with Edge - the man who beat him at WrestleMania 36. Indicating that the rivalry was far from over, Orton would challenge Edge to a traditional wrestling match, with the tag line now seemingly being "the greatest wrestling match in the world".
Weird catchphrase aside, Edge appeared on the latest episode of RAW, where he accepted the challenge for Backlash. It could possibly even main event the show. However, what we realized is that WWE seems to be trying to fill in some time for Edge before the summer.
Perhaps due to the lack of availability of Superstars, WWE is biding their time with Edge for a new feud. We expect Randy Orton to beat Edge clean, setting up a trilogy match for the next PPV or possibly SummerSlam.
#7 The return of Apollo Crews, Kevin Owens, and US title implications
The two biggest returns of the night were that of Kevin Owens and Apollo Crews. Since a lot happened in the segment and match, let's break it down. Firstly, there was a lot of dissent in Zelina Vega's faction, with Angel Garza and Andrade being visibly upset with Austin Theory.
Vega tried to put things in order and the four of them appeared on the Kevin Owens Show. It set up the return of Apollo Crews, who attacked Andrade and set up a tag team match. Owens appeared for the first time since WrestleMania 36, while Crews returned after losing his Money in the Bank spot thanks to an injury he suffered in his match against Andrade.
Crews would end up picking up the win for his team and is now on course for a United States Championship opportunity next week. All signs seem to point towards a big title change and Crews' first Championship win in five years. It's the perfect time to pull the trigger and Andrade's title reign seems to be coming to an end.
Also, Austin Theory was officially kicked out of the faction after the team's loss. However, he's taken a big step up.
#6 A delay in a face turn or a different direction for Seth Rollins?
There was a lot of speculation over a possible face turn for Seth Rollins after last week when he assaulted Rey Mysterio and apologized profusely for it. While Aleister Black didn't buy his apology, he was right in doing so.
In the second segment of the night, Rollins came out with his disciple Murphy and tried to justify his actions against Rey Mysterio, telling him that he'll "understand someday" why Rollins did what he did.
That seemed to indicate anything but a face turn. While we certainly weren't expecting one immediately, the seeds of a turn are normally planted beforehand. As of now, the apology last week was the only seed.
Moreover, Humberto Carrillo came out to try and save face for Mysterio but was defeated by Murphy. However, Aleister Black would come out and save him post-match, confirming the start of his feud with Seth Rollins. Murphy is slowly building himself as the workhorse of Seth Rollins' group.
#5 A big change in store for Natalya?
Natalya faced Shayna Baszler last week after The Queen of Spades made unflattering remarks against her old rival Becky Lynch following her pregnancy announcement. Trying to fight for the honor of The Man, Natalya and Shayna Baszler had a match where the latter won.
This week, it was a submission match - an interesting one since both women are submission specialists. However, it's Baszler's time now and she ended up choking out Natalya once again for the win.
What was more notable, however, was the fact that post-match, Natalya started trashing the chairs and signboard when the WWE crew was setting up for The Kevin Owens Show. She snapped, indicating that a big change is waiting in store for her - potentially a heel turn.
However, it could be argued that Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler are in the best spots as the top heels of the Women's division. Does Natalya need to be a heel? Or is it simply time for a change in character for her?
#4 Backlash title shot for The IIconics?
The IIconics returned to WWE TV after over half a year away last week and confronted the current Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross. They beat them in a non-title match, which meant that they instantly became the #1 contenders for the Tag Team titles.
They would face off on RAW and have a solid match, only for it to end in DQ after Peyton Royce made a costly mistake. There was a lot of tension and frustration between the two backstage, with the two worrying that it was their last shot at the gold.
It even resulted in Billie Kay slapping Peyton Royce. While that would normally be the sign of a future break-up this seems different. This seems to be a character-progression moment of sorts for the two, where they have actual issues that they work through. The goal of this wouldn't be to split them but strengthen them as a tag team.
That's why it seems to indicate that they're going to get their title shots at Backlash. They could potentially win then, as well.
#3 Austin Theory shifts alliances
We were a bit surprised pre-WrestleMania 36 after Andrade pulled out of his scheduled RAW Tag Team title match. He was replaced by the 22-year-old Austin Theory from NXT - a young man getting the biggest spot of his career.
There were rumors that Theory would be done with Zelina Vega's faction fairly quickly and that turned out to be true, as the dissent and issues with Angel Garza led to him being kicked out of the group in an untimely manner.
He was left stranded at ringside, after which Aleister Black would face Murphy. While Murphy was once again doing all the hard work, Rollins went to Theory and mumbled something to him. There wasn't any need for a big conversation either, as Rollins managed to convince Theory to attack Black, disqualifying Murphy in the process.
The result didn't matter because it ended with Black getting assaulted. Rollins embraced Theory, indicating that he's the new member of his faction. It's a huge upgrade for a Superstar like Theory, who we feel will fit much better with Rollins and Murphy than he did with Zelina Vega, Andrade, and Angel Garza.
#2 Nia Jax is due for a title shot in a heated feud
The RAW Women's division has turned over to a new chapter after Becky Lynch's dominant and historic reign came to an end with her vacating the title. As a result, Money in the Bank winner Asuka was crowned the new RAW Women's Champion - completing her grand slam career in WWE as a process.
She was celebrating in the ring with Kairi Sane and both Superstars seem to have turned face quietly last week. We expected either Shayna Baszler or Nia Jax to confront Asuka first and with The Queen of Spades busy with Natalya, it opened up a spot for Nia Jax to try and reclaim the RAW Women's title that she lost two years ago.
Nia Jax was attacked at first and she would blindside Kairi Sane backstage while she was playing her instrument harmlessly. However, the night ended with her taking a swift kick to the head from Asuka, who is beginning to establish herself as a strong and fighting Champion. This match is likely the direction for Backlash.
#1 Is Bobby Lashley next for Drew McIntyre?
We're loving the storyline progression of Bobby Lashley post-WrestleMania. While he lost to Aleister Black at WrestleMania 36, both Superstars have been heavily involved in storylines, with Lashley perhaps in a bigger spot now.
MVP's return has been the catalyst for that. He's constantly been questioning Bobby Lashley every week, asking him when the "real Bobby Lashley" will emerge again. Lashley's wife Lana hasn't been pleased with this, constantly throwing tantrums backstage.
However, MVP's words have had an undeniable impact on Lashley. While he beat R-Truth earlier in the night, he made an appearance in the main event, where Drew McIntyre faced SmackDown star King Corbin.
It was a bit surreal to see McIntyre, Corbin, and Lashley all in the same stage as the three were a faction last year - albeit, a somewhat boring and unsuccessful one. Things have changed and Lashley seems to be McIntyre's next title challenger.
After McIntyre beat Corbin, Lashley stared down at the stage, with everything indicating at a major WWE title match at Backlash 2020.
Ex WWE writer blasts Liv Morgan HERE
