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From another huge Triple Threat Main Event after WWE Payback to multiple challengers being teased for Asuka's RAW Women's Title run, this week's edition of WWE RAW featured many contrasting moments.
As a whole, RAW after Payback felt like a standard affair last night. However, it featured some important plot threads that were showcased throughout multiple segments.
Clash of Champions will take place on September 27, but WWE already has quite a few storylines set in place for their upcoming pay-per-view.
Let us know what you thought about this particular episode in the comments section below.
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Here are the five biggest news stories from this week's episode of WWE RAW (August 24, 2020).
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#5: The IIconics had to disband because of an odd stipulation
Billie Kay and Peyton Royce have been an essential part of WWE's Women's Tag Team Division. But after five years of being together as a tag team, The IIconics broke up on this week's edition of WWE RAW.
The odd aspect of this whole situation is that neither member wanted to go their separate ways, but they were forced to do so due to a stipulation in their tag team contest with The Riott Squad (Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott).
While the winner of that bout would get a shot at the Women's Tag Team Titles, the losing team had to disband. So Riott's Squad victory might mean good things for the duo going forward. But it's hard to tell if Peyton Royce or Billie Kay could dominate as singles stars on the same brand.
Reports have indicated that Vince McMahon sees a lot of potential in Peyton Royce. So if that means her singles push may happen at the expense of Billie Kay, the Women's Tag Team Division just lost an important duo on WWE RAW.
#4: Titus O'Neil returned on RAW Underground as The Hurt Business dominated WWE's fight club once again
The Hurt Business have become a staple of WWE's RAW Underground at this point, as MVP's crew beat up the trio of Apollo Crews, Cedric Alexander, and Ricochet this week.
MVP's frequent goals to pursue Cedric Alexander have stretched for quite a while now. And one has to wonder if Alexander may actually consider joining forces with the opposition. Cedric may be a standard WWE babyface, but it's apparent that unless he turns heel, there isn't a massive singles push planned for him at the moment.
Lashley dominated Crews to become the new U.S. Champion at WWE Payback. And thanks to The Hurt Business, Crews still couldn't get a physical advantage over his foes last night.
In other news, Titus O'Neil made his WWE return on RAW Underground and showed a vicious side to his usual persona this week. Titus is a huge specimen who can be used in a way similar to his appearance on RAW Underground.
Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir also made an impact on the women's side of things at Shane McMahon's exclusive Fight Club, as Billie Kay got knocked down with a Shafir Kick. It was hilarious to see how The IIconics just couldn't fit in an environment that doesn't cater to their entertaining shenanigans.
#3: Mickie James teased a potential title match with Asuka
Asuka won back her RAW Women's Title from Sasha Banks at WWE SummerSlam 2020, and now that particular storyline is a thing of the past. Asuka needs new and strong contenders for her current reign, and WWE fans got a preview of what's in store for future episodes.
Asuka had a backstage confrontation with the Women's Tag Team Champions, Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler. Althogh Nia and Shayna are a team now, let's not forget that both of them are legitimate contenders for Asuka's RAW Women's Title.
Mickie James teased her own position as the next contender on this week's WWE RAW. She is currently embroiled in a feud with Natalya and Lana. But Mickie beat Lana in front of Asuka, who was stationed on commentary last night.
Mickie James' return to WWE has been booked in a cringeworthy way so far. But a potential title match with Asuka implies that there may be good things in store for the veteran soon.
Perhaps the sudden inclusion of so many challengers could lead to a multi-woman battle on WWE RAW in the next few weeks or at Clash of Champions instead.
#2: Angel Garza abandoned Andrade and fled the scene with Demi Burnett as RETRIBUTION interfered during a Tornado Tag Team Match
WWE fans could have witnessed a highly engaging Tornado Tag Team Match on last night's WWE RAW, but RETRIBUTION had other plans in mind this week.
RETRIBUTION's attacks have been highly erratic and the group didn't influence any storylines on major events like SummerSlam or Payback. It is unclear as to what WWE's endgame with this faction might be. But this week, the group attacked Street Profits, Andrade, and Zelina Vega during a Tornado Tag Team Match.
The most entertaining aspect of this sequence wasn't RETRIBUTION, but it was Angel Garza's angle with The Bachelor's Demi Burnett which stole the show.
Garza abandoned Andrade in the ring and escaped the scene with Demi. But when the duo encountered RETRIBUTION again backstage, Garza lost his cool and left Demi alone as well.
Fans on Twitter noticed that NXT's Mercedez Martinez made her first appearance with RETRIBUTION, so it has become apparent by now that WWE are using different talent as RETRIBUTION members every week for a specific purpose.
But some members like Dominik Dijakovic and Dio Maddin could most certainly be a part of this faction moving forward.
#1: Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre is now official for WWE Clash of Champions
Just like WWE Payback's main event, RAW featured a stacked Triple Threat Main Event (Keith Lee vs Randy Orton vs Seth Rollins) too. This week, Keith Lee went on a dominant rampage throughout the night, as he beat Dolph Ziggler to secure his position in the Triple Threat Match.
The main event itself was booked to determine the number one contender for Drew McIntyre's WWE title at the upcoming Clash of Champions event.
Seth Rollins defeated Dominik Mysterio in a good contest to enter the Triple Threat Match, while Randy Orton used dirty tactics and convinced Aleister Black to attack his opponent, Kevin Owens before their qualifying match.
Even in the Triple Threat Main Event, Orton used his brains over brawn and capitalized on the situation when the time was right. Keith Lee was an absolute force to reckon with during this bout, as Rollins and Orton had to manage to co-exist together in order to stand a chance against him.
Even though Lee didn't win the opportunity to face Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship, it was Rollins who was pinned by Orton.
The interesting comparison between Randy Orton and Roman Reigns can't be ignored here, as both competitors used smart strategies in the last two days to prevail in a type of match that is usually very unpredictable.
