RAW Preview: Top manager to turn face and align with new superstar, 4 new title contenders revealed? (December 16th, 2019)

Welcome to the RAW Preview post-TLC edition. WWE wrapped up the final PPV of the decade with TLC 2019 and while it wasn't the best PPV, it certainly wasn't the worst of the year. It suffered from having a dead crowd throughout the show.

Either way, the next two to three episodes of RAW remaining in 2019 will continue some of the old storylines and we'll be seeing some interesting feuds on television as the company will want to begin on a clean slate as they build towards Royal Rumble 2020.

It's going to be an interesting few weeks of programming and we expect some title matches, new contenders to emerge and grudge rivalries to continue. It's interesting how WWE chose not to have the United States title match on the card (or any singles title, for that matter).

Here's what you need to look forward to for RAW tonight!

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#6 Rey Mysterio searches for a new contender

Rey Mysterio retained last week on RAW

United States Rey Mysterio granted AJ Styles a rematch for the title on RAW last week even though he was under no obligation to do so. After all, the days of immediate rematches are long gone.

AJ Styles has had Randy Orton play the spoils for him constantly. First, he cost him the United States Title on the night after Survivor Series 2019 and last week, just as Styles had the match won, Orton interjected again, helping Mysterio win the match.

Given that Orton and Styles are now feuding separately, this leaves Mysterio without a challenger. The major options that have been teased are Drew McIntyre and Ricochet. However, we wouldn't be surprised if Orton and Styles' feud spills over to the United States title, making it four contenders on the horizon for the Luchador.

#5 What's brewing between Andrade and Zelina Vega?

Andrade was defeated again

Andrade was riding a wave of high momentum following his move to RAW in the WWE Draft of October 2019. He even began an undefeated streak that lasted until last week, where he took on the newcomer and future star Humberto Carrillo.

Unfortunately for El Idolo, a mix-up with Zelina Vega meant that Humberto could outwit the former NXT Champion and pick up the win. Andrade was visibly furious at Vega and the same thing happened at TLC.

Humberto in a post-match interview backstage implied that Zelina Vega is there to help him and there might be some truth to that. We've never seen the cracks between Andrade and Zelina Vega in their 2+ years together and for the first time, the vulnerabilities have been exposed.

We could see a situation where Zelina Vega turns face and shockingly ends up aligning with Humberto Carrillo, possibly ending her alliance with Andrade. We don't think that would be the right move for Vega but it's not out of the realm of possibility.

#4 Rusev's story with Bobby Lashley isn't over yet

Rusev and Bobby Lashley

Rusev and Bobby Lashley ended disappointingly for fans as The Dominator put Rusev through a table, killing his momentum and getting a big one over The Bulgarian Brute.

Many believed that Rusev would have the edge over Lashley, but the tables stipulation played towards Lashley's favor and Lana jumping on Rusev's back to help Lashley certainly added to the odds that the former United States Champion had to face.

Lashley winning essentially confirms that the rivalry is far from over. The timing isn't too bad since there's still three episodes of RAW before the new year begins - which will start the build to Royal Rumble 2020.

We can't see this feud extending till then, so we imagine that there's a TV match or two left for the two men to have. The question will be as to what Lana's role is going to be in all of this. What we do know, for sure, is that Lashley and Lana will be having a major celebratory party on RAW. But will Rusev play the spoils and come ruin it?

#3 What was brewing with that brawl?

An Interbrand affair

Roman Reigns vs King Corbin shouldn't have had the TLC stipulation added to their match, but there's no denying that it had a lot of implications for the show. For one, when The Street Profits were having a backstage promo, a brawl spilled over involving Roman Reigns, King Corbin, The Revival, The New Day, Dolph Ziggler, and even Shorty Gable.

The Street Profits joined in on it and for some odd reason, the brawl went on for much longer. As soon as Asuka unclipped the tag team titles and celebrated in victory, the camera cut to the other side of the arena where a big brawl had emerged from it, with more superstarsin the mix including The Viking Raiders and Buddy Murphy.

That was the closing PPV shot of the year and we're not sure why that was the case. However, it wouldn't be featured if there were no implications to it and we expect another major brawl to break out - potentially in the early going of the show. It probably has some Royal Rumble implications to it, so let's wait and see how it plays out.

#2 The road to the Royal Rumble begins for The Man

Becky Lynch had a bad night in the office at TLC

Becky Lynch hasn't defended the RAW Women's Championship since October this year. She's been vocal about it and the fact that she wants to defend the titles. Due to the rivalry with The Kabuki Warriors, Lynch chased after the WWE Women's Tag Team titles and from the look of things, that chase is already over.

She simply lacked the teamwork with Charlotte Flair - contrary to The Kabuki Warriors who wrestled as one unit. Unfortunately, Kairi Sane reportedly suffered a potential concussion, though a rumor suggested that the situation isn't as bad as anticipated.

Now that The Kabuki Warriors won, the chase will turn into one for Asuka. Lynch has long been advocating for a match against The Empress since she has never beaten her in a singles match before (losing to her at Royal Rumble 2019 in the opener).

The road to Royal Rumble 2020 will begin for Becky Lynch and we fully expect her to single out Asuka as her next challenger.

#1 The Seth Rollins-AoP alliance and what it could mean for Kevin Owens

The big shock of last week

Without a doubt, the biggest surprise of last week was Seth Rollins confirming his alliance with AoP. It wouldn't have been a surprise to Kevin Owens, of course, as he has been the one who has called it out from the start.

It was confirmed when Kevin Owens took Rey Mysterio's steel pipe to attack AoP, saw a mysterious figure in the back of the car only to be assaulted by the former RAW Tag Team Champions. Rollins came out and confirmed his alliance with AoP and went on a rant against the WWE Universe who turned on him these past few months.

This is by far the most interesting happening on RAW and we're surprised that it didn't lead to a huge match at TLC. Either way, it's going to be the focal point of Monday Night RAW in the next few weeks or even the next month.

This means that Kevin Owens is going to have to face some serious odds and since he's refused to take anybody's help, it's going to be a gargantuan task for him.