RAW Preview: Gunther faces ex-Universal Champion for the first time ever, major betrayal just 5 days away?

It's the RAW before SummerSlam 2024 Preview. Tonight is set to be a stacked episode of the red brand, and we're being treated to a host of matches that are set to impress - especially Gunther's first-time-ever bout against former Universal Champion Finn Balor.

We're also going to see the fallout with Uncle Howdy, Chad Gable, and the Wyatt Sicks, so stay tuned. If you're in the USA, RAW will be on SyFy tonight and next week, as the Olympics will be broadcast on the USA Network.

So, without further ado, here's what you have to look forward to tonight:

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#7. Gunther faces Finn Balor on RAW for the first time ever

Gunther and Damian Priest had an all-out brawl last week. The World Heavyweight Title challenger demanded that Priest simply hand him the title because he believes he's better.

While Priest marched to the ring and teased handing his title, he struck Gunther and got the better of him in their brawl. Things continued backstage as multiple people were called in as reinforcements to separate the two.

Tonight, Gunther faces ex-Universal Champion Finn Balor in their first-ever clash. Will The Judgment Day star derail The Ring General or will he fall to a man who has been unstoppable to everyone not named Sami Zayn?

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#6. Is there a big twist in the Rhea Ripley-Dominik Mysterio-Liv Morgan triangle on RAW?

Dominik Mysterio put his foot down last week (Picture Courtesy: WWE.com)

After months of teasing, Dominik Mysterio did what Damian Priest told him to do a long time ago - put his foot down and end whatever was going on with Liv Morgan. Last week, in front of Rhea Ripley, Dominik told Liv that he hated her and finally made his feelings clear - leaving the Women's World Champion humiliated and in tears.

We'll see the fallout of that this week on RAW, but it could be days away, as there is speculation that this was a ploy from Dominik to betray Rhea Ripley.

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#5. Xavier Woods takes on Karrion Kross

Picture Courtesy: WWE.com

Last week, Xavier Woods teamed up with Otis and Akira Tozawa to face Karrion Kross and AOP. He would suffer a defeat to The Final Testament in what feels like a never-ending rivalry.

However, Woods will look to put things to rest for good as he takes on The Final Testament's leader tonight on RAW.

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#4. Sheamus takes on "Big" Bronson Reed

Sheamus with a dose of revenge on Pete Dunne (Picture Courtesy: WWE.com)

Sheamus has not been happy with Pete Dunne, which is what forced his hand to interfere in his match against "Big" Bronson Reed last week. In what feels like unfinished business, Reed will take on The Celtic Warrior and multi-time World Champion tonight.

This is another match that's guaranteed to be a banger but is almost guaranteed to lead to interference from Pete Dunne.

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#3. Lyra Valkyria, Katana Chance, and Kayden Carter take on Sonya Deville, Zoey Stark, and Shayna Baszler

Picture Courtesy: WWE.com

Lyra Valkyria, Katana Chance, and Kayden Carter have been on the opposing end of the recently formed trio of Shayna Baszler, Sonya Deville, and Zoey Stark. So far, Deville has proved to be a great leader to Baszler and Stark.

Last week, she led by example by defeating the hot young upstart Lyra Valkyria, who was only recently in the Queen of the Ring finals and was runner-up to the dominant Nia Jax.

This week, Lyra, Katana, and Kayden will finally look to get one over their rivals.

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#2. The Creed Brothers take on Akira Tozawa and Otis

The Creed Brothers have been a big help to Chad Gable, but every time, The Wyatt Sicks seem to have enough of a presence to drive them away. They've been doing Chad Gable's dirty work on RAW and Adam Pearce announced that a tag team match will settle some unfinished business.

The Creed Brothers will take on Otis and Akira Tozawa. Will Chad Gable's mentorship lead them to get revenge for him? Or will The Wyatt Sicks once again descend on RAW and wreak havoc?

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#1. Seth Rollins will have special referee's instructions for CM Punk and Drew McIntyre

What will the Visionary have to say? (Pic Courtesy: WWE.com)

If CM Punk and Drew McIntyre's rivalry couldn't have gotten any more intense - Seth Rollins was announced as the special guest referee for their SummerSlam match.

Nobody would want to referee a match between two stars who have so much hatred for each other. With Punk medically cleared to compete and McIntyre's suspension lifted, only The Visionary has it in him to enforce the law.

Tonight, he will be laying out all the rules for one of the most highly-anticipated matches in professional wrestling in 2024.