'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Welcome to this week's edition of RAW Preview. It's the first episode of the red brand on the road to WrestleMania, and tonight will be crucial in deciding what lies ahead.
The big plans for WrestleMania could either be teased or confirmed tonight, and we could start to see new storylines unfold. RAW has been interesting in the first month of the year, and we expect that to amplify and continue as the road to The Grandest Stage of Them All continues.
While only three segments have been announced, here is what you need to look forward to on the show this week:
Trending
Cody Rhodes' uncle is a WWE Hall of Famer. More details HERE.
#6. Ronda Rousey returns to RAW after nearly three years
Ronda Rousey returned to WWE after nearly three years and won the Women's Royal Rumble - becoming the fifth superstar to do so after Asuka, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Bianca Belair.
It was an amazing Rumble match for the women, although many of the eliminations were far too quick. That didn't matter too much as when Rousey came out, it became clear who was going to win the contest.
As of this writing, Ronda Rousey is a free agent, and she will be appearing on RAW. It's unclear as to whether she will make her decision or not, but from the look of things, that may not happen as soon as tonight.
Instead, we're likely to get her teasing a match against Becky Lynch, only for that to be dropped. The last time Rousey was in WWE, she was a RAW Superstar. She could move to SmackDown soon after her return and eventually challenge Charlotte Flair, as the rumors right now indicate that we will have a bout between Rousey and the most decorated woman in the company's history.
It may not be the first-choice match for fans, but it's still one that will get a lot of hype on SmackDown. WWE never got to have a conclusive finish to the original Flair vs. Rousey match at Survivor Series 2018, and after over three years, the two could finally get to settle the scores.
#5. RK-Bro and The Alpha Academy to continue their RAW Tag Team title feud in a scooter race
Former RAW Tag Team Champions RK-Bro didn't have the best night at the Royal Rumble. Both men were eliminated, with Randy Orton failing to capture his record third Rumble win in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri.
However, the focus for him will be back on the RAW Tag Team Championships and The Alpha Academy. Last week, RK-Bro won the academic challenge in what has turned out to be a fun feud and storyline in general. This week, they will face off in a scooter race.
A lot of fans expect Orton and Riddle to break up in a matter of time for their WrestleMania feud, and it could happen. But what if WWE decides to hold back and continue the story for a year longer?
It isn't a bad idea at all. After all, The Viper seems to be having the most fun he has had in years on-screen. Randy Orton enjoying himself is when we see the best out of him. Despite the inevitable break-up, we could see WWE canceling that angle and continuing with the RK-Bro direction for longer.
#4. What will come of the Damian Priest-Kevin Owens feud on RAW?
Last week on RAW, Damian Priest defended the United States title against Kevin Owens. After unleashing The Damian side of himself, the champion would lose by disqualification.
Priest has been going out of control a lot in the last few months, and it seems inevitable that his near-perfect momentum in 2021 will come to a halt and his US title reign will come to an end.
He is yet to lose the US Title, but if things are going the way they are now, it's hard to see him keeping it on the road to WrestleMania. Will KO be the beneficiary of it all?
#3. What's next for Seth Rollins?
Seth Rollins comes to the red brand as a man who was on the cusp of Universal title glory. It wouldn't have just been any other world title win. He will have ended one of the greatest world title reigns of the century, and the longest Universal Championship reign after so long.
Many have suggested that a character change was what happened when Roman Reigns repeatedly attacked him with a chair at the Royal Rumble. That could be the case, and we will see how it has impacted Seth Rollins this week.
#2. Bobby Lashley kicks off The All Mighty Era once again on RAW
The trajectory of Bobby Lashley's career on RAW continues to be upward. In his dream match against Brock Lesnar at the 2022 Royal Rumble, Lashley won back the WWE Championship.
It was a title change that was heavily assisted by Roman Reigns, and even Paul Heyman, who betrayed Brock Lesnar to do so. Lashley is now a two-time WWE Champion and he will bring back The All Mighty Era to Monday Night RAW.
What lies ahead for Bobby Lashley on the road to WrestleMania. Only two years ago, he was in a directionless marriage with Lana that culminated with him losing a random WrestleMania match to the now-released Aleister Black.
A year later, he found himself successfully defending the WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre in the opening match of WrestleMania 37. It's familiar territory for The All Mighty one and we could see him defend the title against multiple superstars inside the Elimination Chamber.
What will happen when Bobby Lashley returns as the WWE Champion to the red brand? Find out tonight!
#1. Brock Lesnar to make his decision on RAW
Brock Lesnar will appear on RAW two nights after losing the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble. However, he was quick to gain redemption of his own as he entered the Rumble match at No.30 and won it after 18 years.
In doing so, Lesnar joins an elite list of stars including Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan, John Cena, Edge, Triple H, Batista, and Randy Orton in being the only superstars to win the Royal Rumble twice. 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin is the only man with three Royal Rumble wins.
Either way, the choice seems obvious. Despite losing the WWE title to Bobby Lashley, we would be surprised if there was even an interaction between the two. Given how things played out, and how Roman Reigns was responsible for his WWE title loss, we fully expect The Beast Incarnate to make the main event of WrestleMania official.
Reigns vs. Lesnar has been rumored for a while now, and although the latter is advertised for RAW in between, we expect him to change brands and stick to SmackDown going forward.
