5 things you need to know before tonight's WWE Monday Night RAW (January 7th, 2019)

It may be a new year, but tonight will be just the latest instalment of WWE Monday Night RAW.

2018 was a truly huge year for the red brand, from the shocking debut of 'Rowdy' Ronda Rousey to the heartbreaking relinquishing of the Universal Championship by Roman Reigns, to the even stars like the B-Team capturing gold.

And 2019 is shaping up to be just as exciting, with an epic RAW being promised tonight.

With the Royal Rumble approaching, the men and women of Monday Nights are hoping to prove themselves before the iconic pay per view, where they will get the chance to punch their ticket for a guaranteed title match at WrestleMania 35.

But before the Rumble, they need to survive tonight, and all the first RAW of 2019 will bring.

Here are five things you need to know before tonight's WWE Monday Night RAW.

#5 You Can See Me!

Cena appeared on last week's SmackDown Live and was confronted by Becky Lynch.

After a shocking return to WWE SmackDown Live last week, John Cena is hoping tonight's appearance on Monday Night RAW proves to be better.

Despite coming up on the winning end when he and Becky Lynch faced Andrade 'Cien' Almas and Zelina Vega, the 16-time World Champion was accosted by The Man, with Lynch not playing nice with Cena.

Fans have to wonder what Cena will say tonight (though many are hoping he addresses Lynch), and if he wrestles, who his opponent will be.

And with the Royal Rumble just weeks away, perhaps it is time for the star of Blockers and Bumblebee to announce his participation into the match he has won on two occasions, once in 2008, and again in 2013.

#2 The Monster and The Beast

Strowman and Lesnar will face one more time at the Rumble.

The Amway Center in Orlando, Florida may be able to hold 20,000 people, but it may struggle tonight when it has to hold the colossal Braun Strowman, and the Universal Champion Brock Lesnar at the same time.

And despite a Universal Championship between the two already scheduled for the Rumble, expect these two to be ready to throw down tonight, though not in a match.

Lesnar's appearances grow more sporadic, despite being champion, meaning that this will presumably be the Monster Among Men's only opportunity to send a message to the Beast before their encounter at the Rumble.

The two have met many times in 2018 (including last year's Rumble event), and whilst the Beast has always had Strowman's number, expect Braun to be running on all cylinders at the pay per view, and tonight.

#3 A Moment Of Bliss

Bliss will hope for a better time than before when she shares the ring with Ronda Rousey.

2018 was a funny year for Alexa Bliss.

Entering the year as RAW Women's Champion, Bliss won Money In the Bank and regained the title, only to lose it at SummerSlam.

A sudden injury caused her in-ring career to be put on hold, though Bliss has had success as a manager and as the head of the RAW Women's Division.

And tonight, Bliss will add a talk-show host to her résumé, when she debuts 'A Moment Of Bliss', with special guest Ronda Rousey, the same woman who dethroned her at Summerslam.

The two clearly have a history together, which means that the petite powerhouse won't hold back in her questioning of the UFC Hall of Famer tonight.

With that said, expect Rousey to assert herself if she feels Bliss cross a line.

#2 Is this The Revival's night?

Will the RAW Tag Team Championships change hands tonight in Florida?

Ever since they debuted on Monday Night RAW, fans have wondered when The Revival would become RAW Tag Team Champions.

Former NXT Tag Team Champions, the pairing of Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder have been one of the company's best teams, though have often been looked over for other teams.

Tonight though, The Revival will face current champions Bobby Roode and Chad Gable for the gold, a rematch of their Christmas Eve bout, which saw Gable pin Dawson to retain, even though Wilder was the legal man.

To make sure there are no similar hijinks tonight, lumberjacks will surround the ring, leaving all four men with nowhere to run, and no excuses.

With a seemingly level playing field now set, could tonight be the night The Revival finally become RAW Tag Team Champions?

#1 Hogan returns to RAW after a 3-year absence

Hogan, here with Mean Gene, will pay tribute to the late interviewer.

Hulk Hogan will return to Monday Night RAW for the first time since his firing from the company in 2015.

Hogan, who was fired for making racist remarks in leaked tapes, will pay tribute to the late 'Mean' Gene Okerlund, who passed last week aged 76.

Okerlund and Hogan were iconic together during the 80s and 90s, with Okerlund interviewing the Hulkster on countless occasions.

The opinion to bring Hogan back like this has divided fans though, with some hoping Hogan will be able to say his goodbyes to his friend, and others seeing this as the company bringing Hogan back on TV, in a manner which assures he can't be booed by the crowd for the language he has apologised for.

Either way, Hogan's address tonight will truly be must-see.