WWE RAW Preview: New champions kickstart WrestleMania feuds, 2 former world champions slated to return? (Feb 22nd, 2021)

WWE RAW has an interesting show lined up for the fans
WWE RAW has an interesting show lined up for the fans

We are all set for the first episode of WWE RAW after an eventful Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. Two titles from the Red brand, including the WWE Championship and the United States Championship, were on the line last night. By the end of the pay-per-view, both these titles had changed hands, and it laid the groundwork for an exciting episode of WWE RAW.

In this article, we will take a look at things that can transpire on WWE RAW this week.


New Champs in WWE! More RIGHT HERE

#1 The Miz addresses his successful MITB cash-in on WWE RAW

The Miz has certainly earned those bragging rights
The Miz has certainly earned those bragging rights

Last week on WWE RAW, The Miz decided to remove himself from the Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship. Little did we know that he was crafting a solid plan to get his hands on WWE Championship at the event. The A-Lister's plans paid off as he won the WWE Championship for the second time after successfully cashing-in his Money in the Bank contract.

Drew McIntyre delivered a resilient performance to defend his title inside the Elimination Chamber. However, his celebration was cut short by Bobby Lashley, who attacked McIntyre from behind. He then manhandled the exhausted champion to a point, and The Miz did the rest. We now expect to see him address his victory on WWE RAW tonight.

The Miz and John Morrison have never shied away from celebrating everything they achieve on WWE RAW. They will undoubtedly look to take things up a notch when they have the most coveted prize on the Red brand. However, Miz will have to look out for the new threats that will come his way now that he is the new champion.

We can see new rivalries unfold on WWE RAW as we inch closer to WrestleMania. Drew McIntyre might get an opportunity to reclaim his title, but The Miz will probably remain the champion at least until the next pay-per-view, Fastlane. We can also see Bobby Lashley demand a shot at the title as MVP was seen negotiating a deal with Miz backstage during the Elimination Chamber.

Given the physical stature of Miz, other smaller WWE RAW Superstars can step up to challenge him for the WWE Championship in more believable feuds. There are endless possibilities for the creative to explore on the Red brand, and it will be interesting to see how this title change will affect.

#2 ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt and Brock Lesnar slated to return on WWE RAW?

Randy Orton needs to watch his back on WWE RAW
Randy Orton needs to watch his back on WWE RAW

The first episode of WWE RAW after Elimination Chamber could feature a few huge returns. While the fans are anticipating several names, two of them include former world champions. It is expected that someone like ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt or Brock Lesnar will return on the Red brand to make things interesting ahead of WrestleMania.

The Fiend has been missing from WWE RAW for a while now. Randy Orton burned him, and since then, we have only seen Alexa Bliss attempting to get back at Orton. It was expected that The Fiend would make his presence known during the Elimination Chamber match, but that did not happen at the pay-per-view.

It will be interesting to see how he will respond after Orton tried to burn him alive during their last meeting. As for Brock Lesnar, the chances of him returning on WWE RAW are small but not zero. He has an immediate impact on the viewership, and Paul Heyman can afford to manage two clients for a few weeks.

#3 Riddle continues his feud with The Hurt Business on WWE RAW

Riddle will look to continue this form on WWE RAW
Riddle will look to continue this form on WWE RAW

Riddle has been involved in a feud with The Hurt Business on WWE RAW for a long time. He delivered an impressive performance at Elimination Chamber when he defeated John Morrison and Bobby Lashley in the triple-threat match to win the United States Championship. He will now look to celebrate his first-ever title reign on the main roster.

We expect Riddle to be involved in a lot of good challenges on the road to WrestleMania. It would allow WWE RAW Superstars like Mustafa Ali and Ricochet to step up for a title match eventually. We can also see The Hurt Business members attempting to get the title back with the stable. Overall, Riddle is expected to have a good title run on the Red brand over the next few weeks.

It appears that Riddle will drop his title to none other than Keith lee. The latter had to miss Elimination Chamber due to medical reasons, but once he is back on WWE RAW, Lee will look to regain his momentum. We can also see Lee turning heel on the Red brand and join forces with The Hurt Business. When Lashley was asked about this idea, he was more than pleased to imagine fighting alongside Lee.

#4 What’s next for the WWE RAW Women’s Champion?

WWE can still save this title picture
WWE can still save this title picture

As harsh as it may sound, the WWE RAW Women’s title picture is immensely struggling at the moment. Asuka was supposed to defend her title against lacey Evans at Elimination Chamber. However, the match was canceled due to Evans’ pregnancy. It remains to be seen who will be Asuka’s next challenger on the Red brand.

The biggest problem with the booking of the WWE RAW Women’s Championship lies in the fact that Asuka is reduced to second fiddle in other ongoing narrations. The reigning champion certainly deserves better than that.

Asuka was pinned by Alexa Bliss on WWE RAW not so long ago. If she has to lose the title, then the creative should allow Bliss to get her hands back on the championship. Her title reign on RAW will be much more interesting than another repetitive run of Charlotte Flair as the champion on the road to WrestleMania.

#5 Drew McIntyre and Sheamus continue their feud on WWE RAW

This rivalry deserves more attention on WWE RAW
This rivalry deserves more attention on WWE RAW

Last month, Drew McIntyre lost his best friend Sheamus on WWE RAW and then lost his WWE Championship at Elimination Chamber. McIntyre is still the biggest babyface in the promotion. He also poses a huge threat to The Miz and his WWE Championship reign, but McIntyre might turn his attention towards Sheamus for a while.

His best friend betrayed him for the WWE Championship, and the two are yet to involve in an extended singles rivalry. This storyline has too much potential to ignore, and we could see them face each other on WWE RAW a lot more before WrestleMania. This feud's abrupt end will cancel Sheamus’ push into the main title picture.

Drew McIntyre doesn’t need to regain his title immediately on WWE RAW. However, the creative should still ensure that both he and Sheamus make the most of their momentum. This is a storyline that can deliver entertainment without a title, and the three-hour-long episodes of WWE RAW desperately need a narration like that. Hopefully, we will see both these Superstars involved in a memorable feud going forward.

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Edited by Kaushik Das
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