WWE Raw Preview: Can This Roster Of Misfit Toys Survive WarGames?
Welcome to the go-home edition of Monday Night Raw, broadcasting live from Oklahoma City, where the air is thick with tension and the distinct smell of poor life choices. We are just days away from Survivor Series: WarGames, and WWE has assembled teams that look less like cohesive units and more like the result of a fantasy football draft gone horribly, hilariously wrong.
Tonight on Raw, we get a sneak peek of the glorious chaos to come. The main event of the evening is an Advantage Match, a high-stakes appetizer to determine which team gets the upper hand in the men’s WarGames match. For the uninitiated, having the advantage in WarGames is like starting a football game on the opponent’s 20-yard line. It is a pretty big deal.
One representative from each ten-man circus will step into the ring, but WWE is playing it coy, refusing to announce who gets the nod. Will it be a battle of the titans or a strategic play with secondary stars? Either way, the drama is practically dripping from the rafters.
Can Roman Reigns Lead This Motley Crew?
“The Tribal Chief,” Roman Reigns, is slated to kick off Raw. After a surprising return last week, he’s now bunking with a cast of characters he’s spent years trying to pulverize. We’re talking Cody Rhodes, the man he beat at WrestleMania; CM Punk, the prodigal son who never misses a chance to stir the pot; and his own cousins, The Usos, whose family history is more complicated than a season of Game of Thrones.
What could Reigns possibly have to say? Will he try to play nice, or will he immediately start laying down the law? It seems highly unlikely Roman will compete in the Advantage Match himself—why risk the Head of the Table before the main course? But you can bet he’ll be pulling the strings, maybe sending in The Usos to do the dirty work. After all, they are arguably the greatest tag team of this generation. His mere presence adds a layer of intrigue thicker than a steakhouse menu.
Brock Lesnar: The Beast In a China Shop Of Egos
On the other side of the double-ring cage, we have Brock Lesnar. “The Beast Incarnate” is teaming up with a group of dudes he probably wouldn’t share an elevator with, let alone a battlefield. You’ve got his old rival Drew McIntyre, the new “next big thing” Bron Breakker, the powerhouse Bronson Reed, and… Logan Paul. Yes, the YouTube guy.
How will Lesnar, a man who operates on a diet of chaos and cash, coexist with this crew? The internal dynamics of this team could be more explosive than the match itself. Paul Heyman has assembled a team of killers, but keeping them all pointed in the same direction might be a challenge even for the Wiseman. Expect Lesnar to make his presence felt tonight, likely lurking around the Advantage Match like a shark smelling blood in the water.
More Action On a Packed Go-Home Show
Becky Lynch Gets Her Soapbox: After losing her Intercontinental Championship to Maxxine Dupri in a shocking upset on Raw last week inside of Madison Square Garden (thanks to a little interference from AJ Lee), “The Man” has been on a social media tear. She’s been spinning conspiracy theories that would make a cable news host blush. Tonight, Becky gets a live microphone. Will she demand a rematch, or will she continue her unhinged quest to overturn the “rigged” result? This is can’t-miss TV.
The “Last Time Is Now” Tournament Heats Up: The tournament to decide John Cena’s final opponent continues with two quarterfinal matchups on Raw. First, the imposing Gunther, fresh off losing his World Heavyweight title, takes on the up-and-coming Carmelo Hayes. Melo scored a huge upset over Bronson Reed, but facing “The Ring General” is a whole different ballgame. Then, Solo Sikoa clashes with the high-flying Penta. This one might devolve into a full-blown gang war, with Solo’s MFT cronies and Penta’s potential backup lurking ringside.
Dominik Mysterio Runs His Mouth: “Dirty Dom” is set to challenge John Cena for the Intercontinental Championship at Survivor Series in “Dirty Dom’s” hometown. Fresh off his challenge last week, Mysterio will grace us with his presence on Raw to talk about the biggest match of his young career. Expect a whole lot of whining and a complete lack of self-awareness.
It’s the final stop before Survivor Series, and tonight’s Raw is shaping up to be an absolute powder keg. Tune in to see which team gains the crucial advantage and which alliances crumble before they even enter the cage.
