WWE presents a live episode of RAW tonight from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Tonight’s show is very important heading into the next few days, because it’s the final RAW before the controversial Crown Jewel. At this point, the show is still scheduled for Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
WWE has officially announced the lineup for tonight’s show:
- John Cena returns to RAW for a special announcement;
- Roman Reigns will address his Champion vs. Champion match against Sami Zayn at Crown Jewel;
- Solo Sikoa vs. Royce Keys;
- Chad Gable vs. Ethan Page for the WWE Intercontinental Championship;
Predictions/Notes:
There are two possible reasons for John Cena’s appearance on tonight’s show in New York. Either WWE is taking advantage of his other appearance, on Wednesday’s NXT in Orlando, as it goes head-to-head with AEW in the ratings, or Cena really does have something important to announce.
If I had to bet on something, it would be the John Cena Classic. There has been no further update on the tournament since Backlash.
There are rumors that the tournament will take place in December. So with the tournament at least 30 days away, Cena should have something to say about it.
This might be Roman Reigns’ last appearance before his match against Sami Zayn at Crown Jewel, and it could just be another promo or even a heated confrontation with 946 again.
With Survivor Series on the way and the issues between The Bloodline and Royce Keys’ group getting worse, another face-to-face is possible.
The match against Zayn in Saudi Arabia will not be a big deal, because Crown Jewel is basically a standalone show. So it would be a smart move by WWE to use Reigns’ rare appearance to push the bigger story.
Speaking of The Bloodline, Solo Sikoa, who is back with the group, will face Keys.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if this match didn’t happen. If it does, it may end in a no contest, with an all-out brawl between The Bloodline and 946 in the ring.
So I think Reigns’ appearance tonight will have a lot more to do with this potential Survivor Series feud than a few words for Zayn before Saturday’s show in Riyadh.
Last on the announced card, Chad Gable will defend the Intercontinental Championship against Ethan Page.
The match itself might not have many surprises, because it’s hard to see Gable losing the title. But the possibility of a new League of Nations forming, with Rusev and Big Cass joining Page, makes this a little more interesting.
A show as big as tonight’s would be a good place for the new group to debut, but if WWE just goes with a great match between Gable and Page, that will get the job done as well.