WWE Monday Night RAW Preview: January 29, 2018
Rusev Rumble delivered and how. From being destined to fall short on expectations, WWE did an brilliant job of booking the first big four of 2018 to near perfection.
Despite drastically shuffling the card by placing Women's Royal Rumble match in the main event ahead of the men's bout, the overall reception of the show has been favourably positive from all quarters.
It isn't an everyday phenomenon that not one, but two Japenese superstars/indie darlings win the prestigious precursor to the showcase of Immortals. Add to that outrageous amounts of nostalgia with some high-quality in-ring action and you're bound to get a Rumble for the ages.
The rowdiness that ended the show has contributed to the momentum and an air of ambiguity heading into the fallout Monday Night Raw. The Rumble may have hit the sweet spot but it could all get sour if the WWE doesn't go about doing their business right tonight.
These five talking points will make or break the show that could see the seeds being planted for numerous Elimination Chamber matches.
#5 The Miztinental Championship
You'll be astonished when you ponder over the level of progress the Miz has made over the past few years. From being the recipient of a pre-mature push that threatened to put a dent in his career, to transforming into one of the most relevant aspects on WWE TV, the Miz has proved his all naysayers wrong.
He will go down as one of the greatest IC Champions of all time but his reign is in grave danger of ending at the hands of the man who is christened to be the face of the company going forward, Roman Reigns. While Reigns is scheduled to dethrone Brock Lesnar as the Universal Champion at WrestleMania 34 according to the dirt sheets, expect WWE to have one final chapter between the Big Dog and the A-lister before Elimination Chamber comes our way.
The Big Dog isn't the only one who would have his eyes set on the IC strap as the strong upper mid-card of the red brand will be hot on the heels of the ever-so cocky champion.
The road to WrestleMania will not be an easy ride for the Miz, that's a surety.