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It did seem like the no audience episode of SmackDown would be a complete and utter failure when it was first announced. But it turned out to be a very different kind of experience and all said and done, the show wasn't all that bad.
Sure, they did fill up a substantial part of the episode with a match from WWE Elimination Chamber 2020, but it was a desperate time and it called for desperate measure. I'm guessing and hoping that WWE is a lot more prepared for RAW this week.
To make sure that the show is a memorable one, not one, not two, but three WWE icons will be part of RAW this week. Yes, it is not an episode that you can afford to miss at all.
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So, what do Vince McMahon, Paul Heyman, and the WWE roster have planned for us on this week's episode? Let me give you a brief overview of what we can potentially expect.
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#5 Edge is making a big return to RAW
It was not long ago that Edge sent this Tweet out confirming that he will indeed be showing up on RAW. And that he will be listening to Pearl Jam on his way to the Performance Center. Much like Jeremy, Edge has spoken in class today.
Last week, it was MVP who got involved in the proceedings and one wonders if he will show up again this week to try and recruit Edge into his stable (a futile task). But it is unlikely that Edge will get his hands on Randy Orton so very soon indeed. So maybe someone will be brought in as a fall guy, to eat a spear or two this week.
In any case, I can't wait for Edge's return.
#4 Stone Cold Steve Austin will return to an empty arena
When the glass breaks and the earth shakes with the thunderous roar of the WWE Universe, you know that Stone Cold Steve Austin is on his way to the ring. While it is always a great thing when he visits WWE, the unfortunate reality of the matter is that there won't be a live audience on this particular occasion, owing to the recent coronavirus outbreak.
What that doesn't mean, however, is that his appearance will be a wasted one because every time the icon shows up, he just steals the show. Kevin Owens has been doing the stunner and getting overwhelmed by the odds against Seth Rollins and his faction comprising of Murphy, Akam, and Rezar.
I can totally see Kevin Owens potentially teaming up with Stone Cold Steve Austin on RAW to take the fight to the heels. And while I have the greatest of respect for Seth Rollins and the men he has chosen to align himself with, I daresay that they don't have a chance.
#3 A big contract signing segment has been advertised
And the third icon who will be a part of this week's episode is none other than The Undertaker, who is geared up and ready to sign the dotted line. He will be in the same ring as AJ Styles, to make their clash for WrestleMania official.
I wonder how WWE will treat this segment in the absence of a live crowd. I can't imagine The Undertaker in a backstage segment in his street clothes, but that seems to be the route that the company seems intent on taking.
AJ Styles wants to humanize the aura of the phenom who has terrorized and struck fear in the hearts of every single one of his WWE opponents for so many years. And that is why AJ Styles dared to mention the name of The Undertaker's wife- Michelle McCool in a promo last week.
How do I think this contract signing segment will go? I expect AJ Styles to get the upper hand with Gallows and Anderson getting involved in the mix.
#2 Will Drew McIntyre now face the brunt of Erick Rowan?
For weeks, we had wondered what was in the cage that Erick Rowan was carrying to the ring. It turned out to be a giant spider that Drew McIntyre crushed to the shock and dismay of Daniel Bryan's former aide. And one thing that we know about Erick Rowan is that he is someone who will go the extra mile to inflict punishment.
We could look at his run with The Wyatt Family or The Bludgeon Brothers, but we need not look beyond what he did to Roman Reigns not very long ago, honestly speaking. Erick Rowan is a deranged man and for his actions on last week's show, Drew McIntyre will most likely be attacked and assaulted on this week's episode of RAW. And in case Erick Rowan is preoccupied with other things, there could be a Beast Incarnate on the prowl as well.
It's not a good day at the office when two huge men are after you to beat you up and cave your skull in for good.
#1 Is Bobby Lashley being primed for a big role?
Bobby Lashley is running through his opponents in a big way, mowing down the competitors who line up before him with brutal spears. Poor Zack Ryder bore the brunt of his assault last week and I just wonder if this means that he's being built up for some top babyface.
One just has to look at the WWE roster to see that there's a wealth of talent in the company right now. Not everyone is being used to their fullest potential and someone like Ricochet or Rey Mysterio could be built up in a big way with a full-fledged feud against Bobby Lashley.
One wonders if Bobby Lashley is being built in such a big way because Drew McIntyre will need heels to work with once he becomes the WWE Champion. Yes, one can never rule Brock Lesnar out, but it does seem like it is Drew McIntyre's time.
In any case, expect Bobby Lashley to run through yet another opponent on this week's episode of RAW. Nobody is safe at all.
