4 potential surprises for the RAW after WrestleMania
Photo by Rich Wade/WWE via Getty Images Here’s who could appear on RAW. The new year in WWE starts on Monday night with the RAW after WrestleMania traditionally being a launching point for NXT call-ups, new stars, and getting a sense of the company’s direction for the upcoming year. In recent years it’s a show that’s often felt a little flat — but Monday night could be different. There are so big names in a position to either return to WWE or make the main roster debut, and that could shake up a lot. Here’s the talent that could be appearing on RAW tonight. The return of Rusev This feels like a foregone conclusion. After a multi-year run in AEW with fewer ups than downs, it’s official that Rusev has resigned with WWE — and was spotted in Las Vegas during WrestleMania weekend. Billed as “Miro” while working in AEW, he never really found his stride with the competition and left on a very flat note. A return to WWE is something to be excited for. Rusev vs. Gunther? Yes please. Rusev vs. Reigns? I’m here for it. A lot has changed inside the company since he left, and a return could be really exciting. The main roster debut of Trick Williams Failing to take the title off Oba Femi at NXT Stand and Deliver was the canary in the coal mine that a main roster debut for Trick Williams was imminent. Williams has been on the black and gold brand for almost four years now — and it’s time for him to make the jump. Williams has charisma for days and seems to be a perfect mid-card performer when he hits the main roster. There’s potential he could be more, but we haven’t seen massive progression in his ring craft needed to see him becoming a top star. That might not be the worst thing in the world though, because it’s easy to envision him having a fan-favorite 15-year career without the pressure of carrying the company. Jeff Cobb time? I’ll put this as an outside possibility, mainly because I think Cobb needs more time to be introduced to the crowd and with debuts like this the WWE way is normally to slowly build with video teasers. Jeff Cobb is a monster. He might be the strongest pound-for-pound wrestler in the world, and the idea of him being up against Bronn Breakker is the kind of match that prints money. Cobb shockingly announced he was leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling right before WrestleMania, and he is stateside right now — which means the possibility is there. The return of Kairi Sane Not a lot is known specifically about Sane’s injury other than reports before mania that she was “close to returning.” That would make a lot of sense on RAW after Iyo Sky retained the WWE Women’s Championship. I’ve really, really missed Damage CTRL, and it would be a feel-good return for the Raw after Mania.
Here’s who could appear on RAW.
The new year in WWE starts on Monday night with the RAW after WrestleMania traditionally being a launching point for NXT call-ups, new stars, and getting a sense of the company’s direction for the upcoming year.
In recent years it’s a show that’s often felt a little flat — but Monday night could be different. There are so big names in a position to either return to WWE or make the main roster debut, and that could shake up a lot. Here’s the talent that could be appearing on RAW tonight.
The return of Rusev
This feels like a foregone conclusion. After a multi-year run in AEW with fewer ups than downs, it’s official that Rusev has resigned with WWE — and was spotted in Las Vegas during WrestleMania weekend.
Billed as “Miro” while working in AEW, he never really found his stride with the competition and left on a very flat note. A return to WWE is something to be excited for. Rusev vs. Gunther? Yes please. Rusev vs. Reigns? I’m here for it. A lot has changed inside the company since he left, and a return could be really exciting.
The main roster debut of Trick Williams
Failing to take the title off Oba Femi at NXT Stand and Deliver was the canary in the coal mine that a main roster debut for Trick Williams was imminent. Williams has been on the black and gold brand for almost four years now — and it’s time for him to make the jump.
Williams has charisma for days and seems to be a perfect mid-card performer when he hits the main roster. There’s potential he could be more, but we haven’t seen massive progression in his ring craft needed to see him becoming a top star. That might not be the worst thing in the world though, because it’s easy to envision him having a fan-favorite 15-year career without the pressure of carrying the company.
Jeff Cobb time?
I’ll put this as an outside possibility, mainly because I think Cobb needs more time to be introduced to the crowd and with debuts like this the WWE way is normally to slowly build with video teasers.
Jeff Cobb is a monster. He might be the strongest pound-for-pound wrestler in the world, and the idea of him being up against Bronn Breakker is the kind of match that prints money. Cobb shockingly announced he was leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling right before WrestleMania, and he is stateside right now — which means the possibility is there.
The return of Kairi Sane
Not a lot is known specifically about Sane’s injury other than reports before mania that she was “close to returning.” That would make a lot of sense on RAW after Iyo Sky retained the WWE Women’s Championship.
I’ve really, really missed Damage CTRL, and it would be a feel-good return for the Raw after Mania.
