5 things that could happen on RAW next week
A lot happened on RAW last week, and while not quite as much happened this week, the show was chock full of fantastic professional wrestling, making it easily one of the best episodes of Monday Night RAW of the entire year. Looking back at last week, I made five predictions for what would happen this week:
- Matt Hardy Challenges Roman Reigns - I was wrong. Instead, we saw WOKEN Matt Hardy Rise!
- No Follow-Up On Elias’ Big Match - I was right on this one. He played a quick concert like always, and then his competition for the week was Braun Strowman. Strowman made him look like just another loser, and then he was completely forgotten when Kane appeared on the screen. I’m not at all surprised that the Elias match was a one-off just because they needed to fill time last week and give Roman a first opponent as a fighting champion.
- Samoa Joe Gets Punished But Attacks Reigns Again - I was half right on this, as it appeared that Kurt Angle was about to award Samoa Joe the Intercontinental Championship match that he wanted before Jason Jordan interrupted. However, Joe did indeed attack Reigns again. Not only that, but he also cost Reigns’ teammates, Ambrose and Rollins, their shot at the tag titles.
- Jason Jordan Calls Out Finn Balor - Wrong on this one. Jordan called someone out, but it was Roman Reigns. He actually called out Samoa Joe as well. The match with Roman was absolutely fantastic, and Jordan definitely has a bright future if they don’t screw it up. Sadly for Balor, although he got a victory, it was over Bo Dallas in a bad match and nobody cared.
- The Authors of Pain interfere in The Tag Title match - I was wrong, but for a moment there I thought it was going to happen. The interference actually came from Samoa Joe, and I thought maybe the AOP would come out as his backup, but alas that wasn’t the case. It would have been pretty great as Joe and the Authors vs. The Shield could be devastatingly awesome and even though they continue having really good matches, I’m getting tired of The Bar vs. The Shield.
- Overall - I went 1.5 out of 5. Not a great start, but they’re only predictions. I enjoyed RAW so I have no qualms. So how about what’s to come next week? Here’s what I think:
#5 The Riott Squad invade RAW, help Absolution take down Asuka
The storylines on RAW and SmackDown Live are just too similar to not be connected. Ruby, Sara, and Liv have to have the same goals as Paige, Sonya, and Mandy and I think it’s going to be revealed next Monday night on RAW. For two weeks now, Absolution have surrounded the ring with Asuka inside, only to let her walk away. They are playing mind games, sure, but it’s also Asuka we’re talking about here, and they don’t want to risk the possibility of being made to look foolish if she is able to survive a beating or, even worse, gain the upper hand.
Next week we will see Asuka defeat another woman in quick fashion and Absolution will again surround the ring. This time, however, the Riott Squad will come running in from the crowd and attack "The Empress of Tomorrow", and all six women will leave her laying. Not only does it tie together the storyline that I am convinced is connected, but it also makes Asuka look very strong, as it took six women to take her down.