Tonight’s Raw is the “go-home” show before Payback, the first post-Wrestlemania PPV for the red brand with a few Smackdown matches sprinkled in. It is essentially an inter-promotional event even though it is Raw branded.
Here’s what we’re expecting to see tonight.
Dumpster Match
After being thrown into a Dumpster last week at the hands Braun Strowman, Kalisto has challenged the Monster Among Men to a Dumpster Match this week. A “Dumpster Match” works in the same way a casket or ambulance match would work: get your opponent into the receptacle and shut the lid. I would expect this match to not happen as it would make sense for Roman Reigns to try and enact revenge on Strowman before their match on Sunday.
Mick Foley and Chainsaw Charlie (Terry Funk) had a Dumpster match in the 90s. Expect the match tonight to be nothing like this:
House of Horrors
In more ways than one, Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton’s match at Payback has had the most confusing build. No one (even WWE) seems to be sure exactly what the “House of Horrors” will entail. The match is also not for the WWE championship, leaving the possibility for Bray to win and move to Raw to begin his feud with Finn Balor. Bray will cut one of his scary smoke-filled room promos and Randy may or may not make an appearance. This match has the potential be really good or terrible. Here’s hoping for the former.
Payback is a Bliss
Former Smackdown Women’s Champ Alexa Bliss won a match to become the number one contender for Bayley’s Raw Women’s Title. It is refreshing to see Bliss and Bayley in new feuds, especially for the Huggable One. It feels like Bayley has been feuding with the same three women for years. I expect a good heel promo from Bliss and for Bayley to get her normal amount of big fan support.
Destroyer and the Kingslayer:
I’ve loved the billed for this Samoa Joe – Seth Rollins match. It was made more real by Joe reinjuring Rollins’ knee in the lead-up to Wrestlemania. If given the right amount of time, this is going to be the best wrestling match on the card on Sunday. There should be a big pull apart brawl with Samoa Joe once again making you question whether wrestling is “fake.”
And all the rest!
Jericho is going to get in all his catchphrases tonight before he leaves for his Fozzy summer tour. Austin Aires will wear a fur coat and cut a great promo. There will be a lot of DELETE chants.
What are you looking forward tonight on Raw? Share your thoughts!