As the April 20 edition of WWE Raw approaches, questions swirl around the state of the roster just as much as they do about the not-yet-complete Extreme Rules card.
Are fans in Albany, New York, set to see The Miz exit stage right? Will an injury pull Paige from her latest title opportunity? Is it time to start panicking about Daniel Bryan?
Those uncertainties compete with the Extreme Rules build for the audience's attention.
Monday's Raw is the go-home show for the upcoming pay-per-view, although it doesn't exactly feel like it. There isn't substantial buzz surrounding the event. Blame a WrestleMania hangover, questions about whether Bryan will compete and the odd choice to make Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler a Kiss Me Arse match.
To get a glimpse at what to expect on Monday's show, we turn to backstage reports and hints from James Wortman's five-point preview on WWE.com. Mixed in with all the answers, though, are more questions.
Scheduled for Albany
A most unique prize awaits the victor of The Miz vs. Damien Mizdow. Those two will battle on Monday's Raw for the right to keep the Miz likeness.
The rivals collided on Thursday's SmackDown to set up the match.
Fans will be wondering if this is a lead-in to The Awesome One taking a break from the company. The Miz is likely headed off to film Santa's Little Helper with Paige.
Unless there is a goofy finish of some sort, the night will end with either The Miz being forced to call himself something else or Mizdow going back to the Sandow moniker.
Monday also promises a big announcement. WWE has been advertising that upon Triple H's return, he'll be revealing a surprise about the return of the Tough Enough reality series:
With the show currently sans host, it's a safe bet that The Game will be naming Steve Austin's replacement.
Count on him taking care of other business as well. He left Kane in charge the last two weeks, which led to conflict between the big man and Seth Rollins. Wortman asks in his preview on WWE.com, "Will the Director of Operations face severe consequences for his actions against 'The Future of WWE'?"
News, Potential Spoilers
While many assume that The Miz will be joining Paige in the "written off TV" club on Monday night, as both Superstars are slated to film WWE Studios' Santa's Little Helper, his departure may not be imminent.
PWInsider's Mike Johnson reports, "I was told by one source Miz is slated for the Extreme Rules PPV and next week's TVs, so it may not be an immediate exit." One would assume then that Monday's matchup will be more of a lead-in to Extreme Rules and not a substitute for a clash at the pay-per-view.
That would push the match count at Extreme Rules to seven bouts. That is unless Bryan's title contest is canceled.
The intercontinental champ is booked to face Bad News Barrett for the crown. It's unclear, however, how healthy Bryan is right now. Conflicting reports about his current physical state have emerged.
Bryan ended the European tour early as WWE pulled him as a "precautionary measure," per a company statement (h/t PWInsider). The statement offered no specifics. However, Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Wrestle Zone) reported that WWE removed Bryan from the tour due to concussion-like symptoms.
It's unclear if that is the case.
PWInsider's Mike Johnson reports, "WWE sources have denied that and said he was pulled because he had been banged up and the company wanted to give him some rest. If there is a deeper, more serious reason beyond that explanation, we have not been able to confirm it."
Regardless if it's a concussion or lingering issues from his neck surgery last year, Bryan's title match is looking less likely.
Monday's Raw may have to focus more on the chase for the tag titles. Cesaro and Tyson Kidd don't have any challengers lined up.
The Usos won't be stepping up. WWE.com announced that Jey Uso will be out several months thanks to shoulder surgery.
A new team has been working together as of late. As seen on CageMatch.net, Curtis Axel and Heath Slater teamed up several times during WWE's European tour. They battled side-by-side back in February as well.
It's not as if either man has anything better going on. A new duo would be a step up for the both of them. Don't expect Axel and Slater to suddenly be a top team though, not with how weakly they have been booked.
The more plausible scenario, at least for now, is that they are victims and filler.
Final Stretches of Extreme Rules Build
John Cena is set to issue another open challenge for his United States Championship before he faces Rusev at Extreme Rules.
WWE lists five options for potential takers on its website: Sting, Sami Zayn, Rob Van Dam, Neville and Kurt Angle. Angle and Sting aren't walking through that curtain, with Angle working for TNA and Sting a marquee attraction the company will save for big events.
This group of would-be challengers looks to be more of a fun exercise than a hint at what's to come.
The Divas Championship will be in the spotlight on Monday's Raw as well. Naomi's attack on Paige last week puts the Paige vs. Nikki Bella clash in jeopardy.
WWE plays that idea up on its website. The match preview on WWE.com now states, "The ruthless attack not only cast a shadow over Paige's accomplishment, but also throws into question whether the No. 1 contender will be in any condition to compete April 26 at Extreme Rules."
Is Naomi going to get punished for her actions, or get rewarded with a title opportunity? Is there a Triple Threat forming before our eyes?
Wortman promises that "we'll learn more about this caustic situation on Raw."
The show will also allow Roman Reigns and Big Show more chances to increase the animosity between them. Last week, Big Show chokeslammed Reigns onto the roof of a car.
The company later booked a Last Man Standing match between the two rivals. Wortman writes, "How will Reigns respond to this news on Raw?"
Expect some fallout regarding the stipulation for the Extreme Rules main event as well. Seth Rollins made sure to ban the RKO for their upcoming WWE title bout. Randy Orton chose to have them meet inside a steel cage.
Monday's Raw is sure to spend much of its airtime focusing on that match, and how these men plan to prepare for it, all while trying to sell folks on the idea that Extreme Rules is a must-see event.
from Bleacher Report http://ift.tt/1aLy9g5
via IFTTT April 20, 2015 at 08:45AM
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