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The follow-up RAW episode to TLC 2020 didn't exactly deliver the shake-up WWE universe expected after the low ratings recorded last week for the show. While TLC was a pretty good show, as most of the WWE PPV's are these days, it didn't translate to anything surprising this week. However, this can be attributed to the Superstars and the management taking it easy, considering it's the holiday season.
On the positive side, the Randy Orton-The Fiend saga took a sinister turn with the return of Alexa Bliss, who gave an update about Wyatt. The Hurt Business continued their dominance on RAW, The Miz laid out a smart argument regarding his MITB cash-in at TLC and a huge rivalry between two Superstars seems to be taking shape.
So without any further delays, let's dive and take a look at some developments from the episode that has already gotten the WWE Universe talking.
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#5 Alexa Bliss gives an eerie update about The Fiend’s whereabouts on RAW
The Randy Orton-The Fiend story took an interesting turn this week at RAW with the returning Alexa Bliss, who gave an eerie update about The Fiend. While the segment started with The Viper proclaiming he has gotten rid of The Fiend, Bliss appeared in the middle of the ring, sitting on a swing.
She talked about multiple speculations about where The Fiend could be. Initially, she said he might be swimming or eating at his favorite restaurant. However, things took a sinister turn when she said he might be absorbed in the ground, and when he returns, The Fiend would be nothing like Orton has seen before.
While a drastic character change seems unlikely as expected by the developments at TLC, The Fiend would return with vengeance on his mind.
It would be intriguing to see how long would the WWE keep Wyatt away from RAW, and how The Viper and Bliss ensure the story doesn’t run out of steam without the presence of The Fiend.
#4 Sheamus' potential feud with Drew McIntyre takes a backseat with the Celtic Warrior having issues with Keith Lee on RAW
The expected rivalry between WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and Sheamus seems to have taken a backseat. The Celtic Warrior teased tensions with Keith Lee throughout this episode of RAW, ultimately hitting him with Brogue Kick to end the show.
While this could still lead to a contest between Sheamus and McIntyre, as the Scottish Warrior was fuming at The Celtic Warrior's actions, the immediate plan seems to be a feud between the former World Champion and Lee.
The plans for the WWE Championship challenger at Royal Rumble still seems up in the air, with AJ Styles, possibly out of the picture after today's decisive table bump he endured at the hands of McIntyre.
A returning Braun Strowman might be the right opponent for the WWE Champion at a stage as big as the Royal Rumble. Most importantly, the story writes itself. After being suspended from RAW a few weeks ago just after he demanded a Championship match, The Monster Among Men would return with his eyes set on the gold.
#3 Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler to get their rematch for the Women’s Tag Titles after defeating Dana Brookes and Mandy Rose on RAW
RAW opened with Charlotte Flair making her way to the ring, followed by the double champion Asuka. The newly crowned Women’s Tag Team Champions called each other friends, which, in WWE, means a sign of things crumbling sooner than later.
It’s becoming that clear this friendship will quickly morph into a rivalry over Asuka’s RAW Women’s Championship.
They were interrupted by the duo of Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax, who take some pot-shots at the returning Charlotte until Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke made their way to the ring. Predictably, a match-up between the two teams happened, that ended with the former champions coming out on top.
While their TLC 2020 contest was booked more like a re-introduction for Charlotte than an actual match, this time around, we can expect a much better bout between the four immensely talented women.
The new champions losing their titles immediately is also not out of question, as RAW genuinely needs a major singles rivalry in its women’s division and Charlotte vs Asuka seems to be the solution to this.
#2 The Hurt Business dominates Riddle and Jeff Hardy on RAW
After winning the RAW Tag Team Championships at TLC 2020, The Hurt Business was interrupted by Riddle and Jeff Hardy. According to traditional WWE booking, the duo would first defeat the champions in a non-title clash and then challenge them to a Championship match somewhere down the line.
However, WWE successfully subverted the trope by letting The Hurt Business go over Riddle and Hardy during their match later in the night. Bobby Lashley ended the match-up by making Hardy tap out off The Hurt Lock for the third time in a row. Riddle was protected in the loss and would now certainly face Lashley for his US Championship, probably at Royal Rumble 2021.
These are the kind of wins that The Hurt Business requires to legitimize their control over RAW and not the backstage bullying they have been engaging in for a few weeks.
While a rematch with The Original Bro and Charismatic Enigma can take place as soon as next week, this time against Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander.
#1 The Miz demands his MITB briefcase to be returned on RAW
The Miz had unsuccessfully cashed-in his MITB briefcase at TLC 2020 by thrusting himself into the WWE Championship match between Drew McIntyre and AJ Styles at the PPV. The match-up ended with McIntyre climbing up the ladder and retrieving his title. While everyone expected him to quickly get over the loss and go back to his silly antics on RAW, he found a surprising flaw in his cash-in that could get him his briefcase back.
The A-Lister stated that the cash-in must be declared null and void since it was Morrison who handed the briefcase to the referee and not him. Ideally, the contract holder should be the one who should hand the briefcase to the official. This is a perfectly valid argument and we could still see The Miz win his second WWE title.
However, considering how he has been booked in recent months, it's hard to imagine if all of this would lead him to get back his contract or is used solely to generate laughs on RAW.
Ex WWE writer blasts Liv Morgan HERE
