WWE RAW Preview: Superstar possibly set for 1st title win in 7 years, Next US title challenger revealed (December 7th, 2020)

Welcome to this week's edition of RAW Preview. It's the penultimate episode of RAW before TLC, and while there aren't too many ongoing rivalries, the last few weeks of TV have been interesting. Let's take a look at what you need to look forward to tonight on RAW:

#5. Will Lana and Asuka continue to have the Tag Team Champions' number on RAW?

One of the most interesting things happening on RAW now is the unlikely alliance between RAW Women's Champion Asuka and Lana. The fact that they're on two different levels makes it interesting that they've seemed to gel along against the tag team Champions Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax.

Asuka found an ally in Lana after the latter prevented Nia Jax from sending the RAW Women's Champion through a table. Having gone through a table nine weeks in a row at the hands of Nia Jax, Lana knows all too well about it.

They've managed to repeatedly defeat Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax, with Lana getting the pin last week via some assistance for Asuka. WWE officially announced that the duo of Asuka and Lana would be facing Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax for the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles at TLC.

While it hasn't been announced yet, the fact that Lana has gone through the announcer's desk so many times suggests that we could be seeing the Tables Match for the TLC stipulation.

Not only that, but at the rate it's going, Lana could end up winning her first title in WWE in over seven years. While she spent a lot of that time as the manager of Rusev, her singles run hasn't resulted in similar success.

But her partnership with Asuka could be the start - given that the RAW Women's Champion does the heavy lifting for the team.

#4. Bobby Lashley set for a new US title challenger on RAW

Riddle and MVP crossed paths two weeks in a row on RAW.

[Matt] Riddle wasn't successful in becoming the number one contender for the WWE Championship, but Championship success has become a possibility on RAW despite it.

For the last two weeks, Riddle encountered MVP and gave some less-than-tempting business ideas. Last week on RAW, MVP made it clear that he was glad that Riddle lost, and United States Champion Bobby Lashley attacked him from behind.

While we still aren't sure why MVP cost Lashley his WWE Title qualifying match on RAW two weeks ago, there's a new problem. We can expect Riddle and Lashley to cross paths again on RAW and a set up a United States title match, possibly at TLC.

It's a pay-per-view-worthy match-up and an exciting new feud for both RAW stars. Riddle may not be ready to compete at the World Championship level yet, but the United States title picture is the perfect place for him to take the next big step in his career.

#3. Randy Orton to step into the Firefly Fun House on RAW

Randy Orton knew Bray Wyatt three years ago and exploited his biggest weaknesses to destroy the house in the Wyatt Swamp. But the Bray Wyatt now is a whole new monster on RAW.

The Fiend has come into existence, he's managed to rope Alexa Bliss to his side, and there have been several other twists and turns in the process. Last week on RAW, an unpleasant confrontation led to The Fiend coming out.

Before that, however, Randy Orton looked right at Alexa Bliss and stated that he had found The Fiend's weakness. When The Fiend came out, Randy Orton already had Alexa Bliss in his arms and threw her to The Fiend.

He escaped, but the 14-time World Champion now plans to step into the Firefly Fun House on RAW. We've seen Seth Rollins and John Cena do that before, but it hasn't ended too well for them. Will it be different for Randy Orton this week on RAW? Did Randy Orton oversimplify The Fiend's weakness?

#2. Is RETRIBUTION poised for another gloomy RAW?

It's safe to say that RETRIBUTION has been one of the least impactful factions in RAW history. While their sudden, chaotic arrival on RAW caused an uproar at first, things mellowed down once they started losing and WWE Superstars started running through them.

While Slapjack had success against Ricochet last week, Dana Brooke interrupted the match and slapped RETRIBUTION leader Ali after Reckoning took her and Mandy Rose out a few weeks ago on RAW.

Later, Dana Brooke defeated Reckoning, after which Ali told Mia Yim that failure wasn't an option. Unfortunately, RETRIBUTION has been experiencing a lot of that on RAW. While it's not known who the next target will be, we imagine that Reckoning will try to make things right by beating Dana Brooke.

Another loss on RAW for a RETRIBUTION member will be devastating for the faction and will only make other WWE Superstars more confident. There was a time when the RAW and SmackDown locker rooms were uniting to fight RETRIBUTION, but there doesn't seem to be much concern about them now.

#1. Drew McIntyre and Sheamus up against the odds in a handicap match on RAW

Drew McIntyre and Sheamus have a major disadvantage on RAW.

The main match of the night will feature the face of RAW - WWE Champion Drew McIntyre - teaming up with his friend Sheamus to take on The Miz, John Morrison, and AJ Styles in a handicap match.

While it's technically a 2-on-3 handicap match, Omos in AJ Styles' corner essentially makes it 4-on-2. That won't stop the Scottish and Irish warriors from battling anyway, but a victory in such a situation seems unlikely.

AJ Styles cemented his spot as the number one contender for the WWE Championship after winning a Triple Threat match on RAW featuring Matt Riddle and Keith Lee. He made his presence known in the main event as well and caused a disqualification.

While AJ Styles hasn't always risen to the occasion in World Championship matches, his track record on the big stage is as good as any Superstar in WWE. In fact, it's arguably even stronger than Drew McIntyre, despite the latter having a better 2020.

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Drew McIntyre take a rare pinfall.

Edited by Zaid Khan