10 Booking Steps For WWE Raw (April 4)
Could Monday be a new era for Raw but the end of The Authority?
Depending on what happens at WrestleMania 32, the next episode of Monday Night Raw could one hell of an interesting evening. It's of credit to WWE's much-maligned creative team that 'Mania will provide the opportunity to head down many different paths afterwards. For example, the outcome of the Hell In A Cell battle between Shane McMahon and The Undertaker will have a direct impact on what happens afterwards, and it's not exactly guaranteed that either man will win.
Clearly, WrestleMania hasn't happened quite yet, so this list depends on conjecture. However, guessing what may happen on the pay-per-view is fun, especially because the outcome to many of the matches appears so open-ended. Who will be in a position of power come Monday night? Which performer will become the new top contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Title? On that note, who will actually be the WWE Champion come Raw?
Those are all questions which need answers, and they're not alone. The first Monday Night Raw after WrestleMania is routinely a bizarre affair. Fans have come to expect big things from that particular episode, and they may just get their money's worth on this occasion. Raw could host debuts, firings and the establishment of where the company is heading for the rest of the year.
10. Shane McMahon Welcomes Everyone To His WWE Raw
Should Shane McMahon emerge victorious over The Undertaker at WrestleMania, it'd make sense for Raw to open with the 'Boy Wonder'. There's been much talk about the return of the 'Brand Extension', once again splitting Raw and SmackDown into separate rosters. If that's going to happen, Shane must win inside Hell In A Cell.
Ideally, he'd be pretty banged up on Monday Night Raw, but determined to welcome WWE fans to his new vision for what the show should be. Keeping the introduction short and sweet would be advised, because the post-WrestleMania broadcast normally plays to one of the most raucous crowds of the entire year. They will want action, not long-winded diatribes from authority figures.
Besides, there would be time for more of that later. Shane should state that his Monday Night Raw is all about building for the future, instead of self-preservation. On that note, he could announce a contendership match for the WWE Intercontinental Title which would take place next. That bout could see Sami Zayn challenge Kevin Owens to earn a future one-on-one crack at the gold.