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Tonight's episode of WWE RAW will be the final edition before the King and Queen of the Ring Premium Live Event this Saturday. Jey Uso and Gunther will battle for the right to represent RAW in the KOTR Tournament final in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Lyra Valkyria faces IYO SKY in the QOTR Tournament semifinal. Sami Zayn and Chad Gable also go one-on-one again before their Triple Threat match at King and Queen of the Ring.
The go-home episodes of RAW and SmackDown are always extremely important and tonight's show will be no exception. Any of the next five surprises could be in store on the red brand.
#5. Liv Morgan factors into the Queen of the Ring
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While Liv Mogan is after Becky Lynch and her Women's World Championship, she has also crossed paths with Lyra Valkyria on RAW. Valkyria is a staunch ally of Lynch who was drafted to RAW recently.
Morgan left The Man alone in the ring to take a beating from Damage CTRL recently, only for Valkyria to make the save. The former SmackDown Women's Champion also attacked Lynch after a non-title match with Dakota Kai, which ended in a DQ. Lyra was once again trying to help Lynch from another Damage CTRL beatdown when Morgan came out with a sneak attack on the champion.
If Liv Morgan wants to continue meddling in Lynch's business, she could cost Lyra Valkyria the semifinal against IYO SKY. It would add another wrinkle in the title feud and lead to a possible one-on-one showdown between Morgan and the former NXT Women's Champion.
#4. Chad Gable teases a huge change for Alpha Academy
During his pursuit of the Intercontinental Championship, Chad Gable has gone from a willing teacher to an insulting leader. He blames Otis, Maxxine Dupri, and Akira Tozawa for their constant losses and for making The Alpha Academy look bad.
The former RAW Tag Team Champion teased Ivy Nile last week when she tried to stand up for Dupri. He passingly mentioned that she had the potential that Dupri lacked. Could that lead to a dynamic shift in Alpha Academy? Master Gable could easily shove his current allies aside for some new ones.
The Creed Brothers and Nile would make sense due to their amateur wrestling backgrounds. Gable could also act as a mouthpiece since all three stars have limited mic skills. He could tease a change tonight that could come to fruition at King and Queen of the Ring PLE.
#3. Uncle Howdy amps up his campaign on RAW
For weeks now, fans have been taken on several treasure hunts to decipher messages hidden in QR codes in glitches during WWE programming. Those glitches and clues are rumored to lead to the eventual re-emergence of Uncle Howdy.
It's unclear as to who the unlucky target will be when he returns to torment the roster. It could be anyone including Sami Zayn, Cody Rhodes, LA Knight, Jey Uso, or another top face.
So far, his messages have used the rhetoric of being forgotten or discarded and that everyone will soon 'see' what he wants them to see. A direct message tonight could lead to the date for King and Queen of the Ring PLE. A particular name could also be targeted in a message.
#2. Brock Lesnar returns to cost Gunther
One massive name that has been absent from WWE for one reason or another since last year's SummerSlam is Brock Lesnar. The Beast lost to Cody Rhodes but endorsed The American Nightmare after the match.
Lesnar was a possible opponent for Gunther at WrestleMania 40 but such plans didn't work out. Now that The Ring General is without his Intercontinental Championship, he is looking for glory by becoming the new King of the Ring.
If The Beast is set to return to WWE, having him show up on RAW to cost Gunther would be a huge statement. The two had a staredown in the Royal Rumble two years ago but nothing had come of it.
If Lesnar costs Gunther the semifinal, the two could have that dream match at one of the next international events like Clash at the Castle: Schotland. It could also be saved for SummerSlam later this year.
#1. Bloodline ties factor into Jey Uso vs. Gunther
The Bloodline has ties in both men's semifinal matches in the KOTR Tournament. Jey Uso may not be a part of the faction anymore, but they will always be linked by blood. Tama Tonga will face Randy Orton in the SmackDown's side of the bracket.
With so much on the line tonight and on Friday, the outcomes could be influenced by those familial connections. Solo and his group could somehow cost Jey against Gunther, or Jimmy Uso could make a surprise return on RAW.
What Jimmy does would set things up for the rest of the year. He wasn't drafted, so he isn't tied to a brand. Jimmy could assist Jey if others interfere or he could act as his own man, separate from his Bloodline family. Interference would protect either man but Jey needs the win more than Gunther.
Ex WWE writer blasts Liv Morgan HERE
