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We are only days away from WWE SummerSlam, a show that should be bonkers from the amazing build that we've seen on WWE RAW and SmackDown thus far. And to get people invested in the next big pay-per-view, the episode of WWE RAW leading up to SummerSlam should be very exciting indeed.
To WWE's credit, they have been able to make episodes of WWE RAW and SmackDown dramatic and exciting even without the presence of a live crowd in the arena. The introduction of Retribution, in particular, has lent an air of uncertainty to the proceedings that had been missing for months altogether as WWE RAW ratings took a nosedive.
So, here are 5 surprises that could really make the product very exciting indeed.
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#5 Randy Orton destroys Shawn Michaels on WWE RAW just one week after Ric Flair
WWE.com has posted the following about Shawn Michaels' appearance on WWE RAW:
On the final Raw before SummerSlam, two-time WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels will be in attendance. Last Monday, Michaels and the WWE Universe watched as Randy Orton viciously punted Ric Flair, leaving “The Nature Boy” in need of medical attention.
While this may not really be a surprise, Randy Orton may continue his legend-killing spree on WWE RAW with a punt and an RKO to Shawn Michaels, to get an incredible amount of heat before we go into SummerSlam 2020.
It is far too easy to cheer for Randy Orton, someone we have all grown up with and seen rise to the top of the game. But if he is to take out Shawn Michaels on WWE RAW just one week after demolishing Ric Flair, it may change our attitude towards the legend killer going into SummerSlam 2020.
#4 Aleister Black comes back with a cool new mask to WWE RAW
One of the issues with WWE RAW Superstar Aleister Black that has been raised by several pro wrestling writers is the fact that while he was presented as special until WrestleMania, somehow he just became a part of the collective during later weeks. But the process of rehabilitation seems to have begun for the one-eyed star (not Daniel Cormier, but Aleister Black in this case), and he could certainly make his return on the final episode of WWE RAW before SummerSlam 2020 this week.
The Fiend has proved that it is possible to wrestle in a cool-looking mask and make it look cool, and WWE certainly has an opportunity to do the same with Aleister Black as well.
If Aleister Black comes back with the mask pictured at the top of the page, it would become a top collectible on the WWE shop.
Moreover, it would elevate him a rung or two in the WWE RAW roster and may even make him the successor to The Undertaker.
#3 Retribution decides to invade WWE RAW Underground, taking over the show
Whether you like them or not, it is impossible to deny that Retribution has become an indelible part of the WWE RAW and SmackDown landscape over the past weeks. The creative team has also kept them fresh and exciting with them being a part of several critical WWE RAW and SmackDown moments, such as when the lights went out as Ric Flair ate a punt kick to close out last week's big episode.
Instead of using cinderblocks to damage property, what they can choose to do instead during this week's episode of WWE RAW is to potentially show up on RAW Underground and take the battle to the men and women in WWE's very own fight club. It will show them in another environment and allow for a fresh new talking point on WWE RAW leading into SummerSlam, especially if familiar faces from the WWE RAW roster can mix it up with the members of Retribution leading into the biggest show of the summer.
#2 It is revealed that it wasn't Zelina Vega who poisoned Montez Ford on WWE RAW
It is pretty clear from the fact that he's an active competitor on WWE RAW that it was not Mustafa Ali who is the hacker, as was originally believed. However, we did see glimpses of the hacker on SmackDown not long ago, and this storyline could be brought to WWE RAW and presented to someone that needs it, who is a part of the active roster. And this person could shed light on the fact that no, it was not Zelina Vega who poisoned Montez Ford.
One has to assume that the other half of the WWE RAW Tag Team Champions- Angelo Dawkins could be responsible in that case.
But a likely candidate could also be a member of Retribution, out to exact revenge against members of the roster in this manner. And someone from the WWE RAW roster could assume the character of the hacker, shedding light on the situation that Zelina Vega is actually innocent in this case.
#1 Kevin Owens turns heel after his crippling loss last week on WWE RAW
In case you may have forgotten, last week's episode of WWE RAW saw Kevin Owens and Randy Orton in the main event in a match that went back and forth until Randy Orton picked up the big win. And then, he would turn on Ric Flair in a big way, closing out WWE RAW in a pretty big manner.
Yes, the same Ric Flair who had told Kevin Owens during a preceding episode of WWE RAW that he was acting as a guidance coach now and had lost a lot of the edge that had made Kevin Owens a special attraction.
So, following his big loss, is it time for Kevin Owens to reflect on where his career has come to? Is it time for him to finally turn heel again on WWE RAW?
In conclusion, be sure to check out Tom Colohue's thoughts on last week's episode of WWE RAW in the video that I have linked above for your convenience.
