8 Burning Questions For WWE Raw (Oct 24)

What's on tap with Brock? Can Jeri-KO survive the odds and obstacles?

Goldberg entrance
WWE.com

It looks like WWE is committed to turning back the clock 12 years in the hopes of spiking ratings to 2004 levels. Last week, we saw the return of Goldberg, a phenomenon in wrestling who dominated WCW in 1998-2000 and had a resurgence in WWE in 2003-04. But since then, he had barely been referenced (other than fans chanting his name at Ryback) on WWE TV.

Still, WWE is convinced that there’s money in a WrestleMania XX rematch between Goldberg and Brock Lesnar. And hey, there probably is. Ratings climbed for Goldberg’s first appearance in WWE in 12-plus years, and even cynical fans will want to see if the 49-year-old former world champion can still go. The other Goldberg/Lesnar match was shrouded in the revelation that both men were leaving the company the next day, and the Madison Square Garden crowd let both of them have it.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves (as is WWE). Hell in a Cell is next week, and we have the go-home Raw Monday night to set the table. On tap is a triple threat match between Seth Rollins, Chris Jericho and WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens. We have two other HIAC matches to promote, a WWE Tag Team Championship match to preview and a couple undercard oddities to work through.

Let’s take a look at some of the big questions that need answering Monday night…

8. Is Zayn A Sacrificial Lamb?

Goldberg entrance
WWE.com

Braun Strowman has been running through jobbers (and Sin Cara) since his repackaging this summer, and he finally looks to be connecting with the crowd by showing a little more variance in his offense – as well as beating up multiple wrestlers at once.

Things took a turn last week, and it’s unclear if it’s for the better. Sami Zayn came out to answer Strowman’s call for some real competition (you know, someone under WWE contract), presumably setting up a match for this week’s Raw. Zayn has been largely directionless since the brand split, save for a mini-feud with Chris Jericho, despite holding a PPV victory over Universal Champion Kevin Owens this summer.

But instead of feuding for a title, Zayn appears headed for a car crash with Strowman, who is still on the ascent in his push. That would suggest that Sami the underdog could be overpowered and overmatched.

Contributor
Contributor

Scott is a former journalist and longtime wrestling fan who was smart enough to abandon WCW during the Monday Night Wars the same time as the Radicalz. He fortunately became a fan in time for WrestleMania III and came back as a fan after a long high school hiatus before WM XIV. Monday nights in the Carlson household are reserved for viewing Raw -- for better or worse.