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Welcome to this week's edition of things WWE subtly told us on RAW. While it wasn't as hyped as last week's episode, a lot happened on the show. It was the penultimate episode of RAW to Fastlane 2021, but we're not sure why the pay-per-view is happening in the first place.
There were a lot of ups and downs on the show, but progress was made towards WrestleMania 37 nonetheless. There is now just over a month to go until The Show of Shows, which means that there are only four more episodes of RAW until The Grandest Stage of Them All:
#5. 2 pay-per-view level matches will happen on RAW instead of Fastlane
We're not sure what WWE's endgame is for Fastlane on the RAW side. While two of the matches announced for Fastlane 2021 have been from SmackDown, there is nothing yet from RAW.
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Instead, we got the announcement that The Hurt Business will defend the RAW tag team titles against The New Day next week. It was sudden and out of nowhere, especially since the two were involved in other things recently.
Another match that was made official for RAW next week was Riddle vs. Mustafa Ali for the United States Championship. Why is WWE loading up the RAW before Fastlane rather than the pay-per-view?
While it's fine to have TV feuds, the entire purpose of the Fastlane pay-per-view seems lost. At the rate it's going, it might as well be a SmackDown-exclusive event. Again, we're not sure what the purpose of Fastlane is, especially since there is less than two weeks left.
Either way, two big title matches have been announced for RAW next week. Will there be any title changes?
#4. Randy Orton's role on RAW and character direction
AJ Styles was being interviewed backstage on RAW alongside Omos when he spoke about Randy Orton. The Viper turned up and a tense back-and-forth led to the two old rivals challenging each other to a match on RAW.
A rematch from WrestleMania 35, the two veterans would main event RAW and have a fantastic match. In fact, one could argue that it was even better than their WrestleMania match.
As expected, however, Alexa Bliss had a hand to play in the main event. She distracted Randy Orton in her creepy pentagon-like space, and the black liquid started oozing out of his mouth again.
This led to AJ Styles taking advantage and winning the RAW main event via the Phenomenal Forearm. What we noticed in all of this was that Randy Orton quietly turned face. While his character wasn't as defined in recent weeks, this week's episode of RAW seemingly cemented his face turn.
He's still the same Randy Orton, but more of a victim to Alexa Bliss' mind games.
We're still not sure what lies ahead for AJ Styles at WrestleMania 37 despite his win on RAW.
#3. The roles in the Shane McMahon-Braun Strowman feud on RAW revealed
Braun Strowman had a funny segment with R-Truth backstage on RAW before he came out. He demanded an apology from Shane McMahon. While he was initially upset about not being put in the RAW Elimination Chamber match, he said he was over it.
But Shane McMahon's line last week about how his MBA Textbooks "might be above his reading level" seemed to trigger The Monster Among Men. There was a tense segment between them on RAW, and one thing was established - Braun Strowman isn't the heel in this feud.
Even the commentators on RAW found it hard to justify Shane McMahon's recent actions - especially last week when he cost Strowman and Adam Pearce a potential RAW tag team title win.
Shane McMahon gave what seemed to be a disingenuous apology before walking away. He stood on the entrance ramp and was about to say something, but held back on it. We wonder if we will get an official heel turn from Shane McMahon on RAW, or he will simply be presented as the heel of the feud.
Later that night, Shane McMahon made several mentions of how "others" think Braun Strowman is stupid and not him. He made Strowman chase a car thinking that he was in it, but fooled The Monster Among Men, calling him stupid as he left.
#2. Drew McIntyre's roadblock on RAW before a WWE title shot
Last week on RAW, Drew McIntyre defeated Sheamus in an incredible match. The Scotsman won clean, seemingly putting an end to their feud.
Following Bobby Lashley's successful title defense on RAW, it was revealed that Drew McIntyre was a close spectator backstage. There seemed to be a clear agreement - Drew McIntyre would be next in line for a WWE title shot.
Unfortunately, just as McIntyre was cutting a promo, Sheamus attacked him from behind again. Screaming at him, the four-time World Champion told McIntyre that he was sick of living in his shadow.
Following this, Drew McIntyre went to Adam Pearce and demanded a No Disqualification match against Sheamus - and so it was granted.
It was another hard-hitting match-up, although last week's singles match on RAW was slightly better. This didn't have a conclusive finish, as both men collided with steel steps in their hands.
It was declared a no contest, which means that McIntyre's feud with Sheamus will continue.
While the matches have been good, WWE should ideally conclude the feud by next week on RAW, as Fastlane might be a bit too late. Of course, WWE could always book a high-stakes stipulation match between the two former best friends at Fastlane - potentially to book a spot at WrestleMania against Bobby Lashley.
#1. Bobby Lashley breezes through The Miz on RAW, but what's next?
Bobby Lashley walked into RAW with The Hurt Business, as three members of the faction held Championship gold. Bobby Lashley looked like a million bucks, and so did the rest of The Hurt Business.
A rematch for the WWE title between Bobby Lashley and The Miz was announced before RAW, and the latter seemed more determined this week. The match took place and it wasn't a long one.
It was the same story on RAW as last week - Bobby Lashley comfortably defeated The Miz and retained the WWE title in his first defense.
Drew McIntyre was seen backstage observing, and all indications are that he will be the next challenger. But when is it going to happen?
Is Bobby Lashley going to skip Fastlane and sit on the sidelines? Is Drew McIntyre only going to get his WWE title shot at WrestleMania 37? Hopefully, we get some clarity soon on RAW.
Ex WWE writer blasts Liv Morgan HERE
