6 things WWE subtly told us on RAW: WrestleMania win-streak to end, Big retirement stipulation to be added to top match? (March 23rd, 2020)

Welcome to this week's edition of things WWE subtly told us on RAW. It hasn't been the best set of episodes on both brands since moving to the Performance Center, but the circumstance calls for it and perhaps it's only fair that we give WWE time to figure out how to make an empty arena show work.

However, this was better than the previous ones, though we weren't fond of the fact that WWE aired not one - but two matches in between. It's usually a match that's related to WrestleMania 36 in some way, but it feels unnecessary. Granted, we understand that WWE wants to have limited staff, but surely there are better ways to fill the time on RAW.

Either way, there were quite a few notable things that happened and the build to WrestleMania continued, with a couple of unexpected and random matches being announced for the card. It certainly confirms the rumors of WWE making several changes to the show and here's what they subtly told us:

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#6. Kevin Owens has a huge chance at WrestleMania 36

The Monday Night Messiah

Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens had one of the more interesting segments of the night. There was no Buddy Murphy and as expected, no AoP either. Owens was in the ring and called out Rollins, who came out and began berating him instantly.

Being the Messiah that he is, he was bragging about his accomplishments at WrestleMania, which includes a record of 3-1 (or 4-1, if you count the Money in the Bank cash-in at WrestleMania 31). He's currently riding a three-year win streak at WrestleMania and mocked Owens for his inability to get on the card last year and his 'lack' of WrestleMania moments.

The way the promo was cut, it's perfectly set-up for Owens to end his three-year streak.

#5. Is another stipulation to be added to Edge vs Randy Orton?

Randy Orton

From a psychological and storytelling perspective, no feud heading into WrestleMania is better than Edge vs Randy Orton. It was clear the night after the Royal Rumble that Edge facing his old tag team partner was the direction, and as it turns out, it was the right one.

It allowed Orton to transition back into being a heel and a motivated Orton is the best one that we can ask for. His heel work has stood out from the rest this season and is bordering on some of his best work in the past decade.

Usually, we expect such matches to turn out to be underwhelming, but this could be similar to Triple H vs Batista at WrestleMania 35 - where it's an underrated masterclass in psychology. Orton accepted the last man standing stipulation after cutting a scathing promo and vowed to retire Edge again.

We wouldn't be surprised to see a retirement stipulation added - setting up Edge for a huge win at the show of shows.

#4. A random last-minute RAW Tag Team title match

Random, to say the least.

We're a bit underwhelmed at the direction for the RAW Tag Team title match at WrestleMania 36. This is a last-minute decision, especially because Rey Mysterio is pending a title shot after beating Andrade clean last week.

Instead, we're going to see The Street Profits compete and defend their titles against Andrade and Angel Garza. While being in a title match for his first WrestleMania isn't bad for Garza, the match simply doesn't make much sense.

For one, Andrade should either be defending the United States Championship or be in a tag team match against Rey Mysterio and his son Dominick. We understand that the latter would need Dominick to be ready for his debut and we can't be certain if he is or not.

Either way, The Viking Raiders deserve to be in that spot but won't be getting it. It appears as though AoP and The Viking Raiders were originally scheduled to be invovled, but that's now changed. What weight does Rey Mysterio's win last week hold?

#3. Still not a RAW superstar?

Shayna Baszler

Shayna Baszler made history at Elimination Chamber this year, becoming the only person in WWE history to win the match by eliminating all other competitors in the field. She was the predicted winner and the right one as well, as she presents a fresh challenge for Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 36.

She was even the runner-up of the Women's Royal Rumble match, which is usually an indicator that they will be involved in one title match or the other at WrestleMania. She cut a good promo and Charly Caruso played off being intimidated very well - showing that even she has come leaps and bounds since her debut.

What was interesting for us to note was that Baszler was still referred to as an NXT Superstar and not a RAW star. One would think that by cementing a RAW Women's title match at WrestleMania 36, that would be enough to officially make the switch, but for some reason, WWE still considers her to be an NXT star.

Her days with NXT are done and Becky Lynch slammed her from behind, giving her a warm welcome.

#2. The creative process put into WrestleMania has drastically reduced

Paul Heyman doesn't have much to work with

With WrestleMania 36 being in an empty arena, it's evident that the motivation to put on the biggest show of the year is gone. We can only hope that they channel it into making SummerSlam 2020 that much bigger, but nothing can be predicted given the circumstances of the world today.

Either way, the random matches being added, including Bobby Lashley vs Aleister Black, proves that there is little creative effort going into the build to WrestleMania 36. This includes the Brock Lesnar segment from last night, which we felt was a wasteful utilization of the WWE Champion.

There's only one episode of RAW before the road to WrestleMania ends and they haven't done too much with the Lesnar-Drew McIntyre feud either. While we understand that there's limited staff (and that perhaps applies to creative as well), certain segments and the addition of matches with no build confirms that the creative input has reduced.

Right now, WWE's priority is to get it all over with.

#1. AJ Styles' boneyard match and the consequences

AJ Styles mocked The Undertaker again

With no Undertaker physically present, AJ Styles appeared on the ramp with Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson and wasted no time in taking shots at The Undertaker. He continued to 'expose' him outside his Deadman persona, further indicating that The Undertaker is truly done with that direction after 16 years.

With his match against The Undertaker official for WrestleMania 36, he decided to announce that he wants a stipulation added. It's a 'boneyard match'. We have no idea what that is and from the sound of things, most people don't either.

The intention seems to be to end The Undertaker's career, but the way the feud is built (and the fact that it's WrestleMania), it seems all too obvious that The Phenomenal One will lose at WrestleMania for the first time in 4 years.

Either way, the boneyard match will not serve to bring back The Deadman. Instead, it's likely to further cement the new gimmick that he has seemingly established.