7 things WWE subtly told us on RAW: Major break-up storyline canceled, Former World Champion getting pushed after 2 years? (27th April, 2020)

Welcome to this week's edition of things WWE subtly told us on RAW. The latest episode was fantastic, starting with a strong segment that led to a tag team match and then proceeded to spin-off into a title match later in the night.

It was a show that was heavy on younger talent getting the spotlight and we're already beginning to see a new, more exciting direction with many Superstars. The show was heavy with returns and plenty of character development.

A contract signing topped off the show and saw the return of a 2-time champion. Without dragging it much further, let's jump right into it:

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#7 The Lana-Bobby Lashley rumors are true

A break-up or make-up?

Dave Meltzer revealed on the Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE is backtracking on their original plan of splitting Bobby Lashley and Lana. That would have been a good move for Lashley as a singles Superstar, but there's a possibility that something better can still come of it.

After the backstage segment and his win on RAW, it's clear that the rumors are true. While Lana and Lashley had been teasing dissent for a while now, they seem to be making amends. How did WWE manage to get around? By having Lashley tell Lana that she's a distraction in the ring because she's "too beautiful".

A simple and effective way to fix that, WWE can still go forward with Lashley as a serious singles competitor. Our speculation on why they backtracked is that with Rusev's release, there wouldn't be much else for Lana to do. WWE doesn't have much to lose by keeping her with Lashley, but if they want to move forward, they need to abandon all the husband-wife bickering on TV.

#6 Jinder Mahal is back...and he's ready for big things

He's back!

The Modern Day Maharaja Jinder Mahal is back in action after nearly 11 months away. He last appeared on RAW in early June 2019 and was out having had surgery on his knee. Although he was reportedly cleared to return earlier this year, WWE felt that holding him off until post-WrestleMania was a better idea - and we agree.

He returned to RAW and squashed Akira Tozawa. With that, WWE essentially announced the return of Jinder Mahal as a serious competitor. It's been two years since the former WWE Champion was last pushed. He won the United States Championship at WrestleMania 34 but lost it over a week later to Jeff Hardy when he moved to RAW.

Either way, it's going to be exciting to see what WWE can do with Mahal. Hopefully, they go the correct route this time and build him up and give him some big wins before taking it to the next level. In the eyes of many, Mahal always had that potential, but sometimes, it takes longer than expected to fulfill it.

#5 Fresh blood in the tag team division?

MVP called for a rematch

Following WrestleMania 36, the RAW Tag Team division has comprised of three teams only - the Champions The Street Profits, The Viking Raiders, and the newly-formed tag team of Cedric Alexander and Ricochet.

The newly-formed team has been most active, picking up a string of wins after WrestleMania 36. The tag team title match that WWE is going with next is The Street Profits vs The Viking Raiders. The former Champions laid out the challenge and the reigning titleholders accepted it, with the match set for next week's episode of RAW.

Interestingly, they're not saving that for Money in the Bank, but it should be a fun match regardless. What was most notable, however, was MVP taking two new Superstars under his wing - Shane Thorne & Brendan Vink.

After Alexander & Ricochet picked up another win, MVP appeared on the screen with Thorne and Vink. If you recall, they lost last week to Alexander & Ricochet, but the legend MVP issued a challenge to have a rematch. We like this new "recruitment" role that MVP has returned in to help younger Superstars.

#4 Apollo Crews' chase for gold to come to fruition soon?

Heartbreak for Apollo Crews

Apollo Crews is a Superstar who's been getting pushed for the last few weeks and it's well-deserved after 4 years of having done nothing on the main roster. Perhaps it's the Paul Heyman effect among other things, but he's progressing rapidly in a short time.

For years now, the word associated with Apollo Crews is "potential". But as Samoa Joe pointed out on commentary, people don't remember potential, they remember champions.

Apollo Crews started off the night teaming up with fellow Money in the Bank contestants Rey Mysterio and Aleister Black and defeated the team of Andrade, Angel Garza, and Austin Theory. It was Crews who pinned Andrade for the win, setting him up for a United States title shot later in the show.

Crews had his best match in WWE, coming close on many occasions to winning the title. He was all set to pick up the win until his knee injury (sustained during the match) proved to be too much, with the referee rightly deciding to stop the contest.

Apollo Crews was seen backstage in crutches in tears, refusing to be interviewed by Charly Caruso. We're starting to see the character-aspect of Apollo Crews and it's the right step to take. He could be removed from the Money in the Bank ladder match, but we see a possible United States title win for him soon.

#3 Liv Morgan puts the Riott Squad behind her

Liv Morgan

Liv Morgan has all the makings of a future Women's Champion and we're seeing that more every week. She's faced Ruby Riott three times on RAW since the latter's return and has defeated the former Riott Squad leader on all occasions.

She did the same on RAW and Tom Phillips on commentary indicated that she's finally set to put that chapter of her career behind her. It's the right move to make and even if she isn't in the Money in the Bank ladder match, she's going to be in plenty of them in the future and could possibly hold the briefcase herself in a year or two.

Luckily for WWE, she's only 26 this year and they'll be taking their time to build her as a major star of the division for years to come. While her character now seems to be that of a confused millennial, it's a good start. We're excited to see what lies ahead for her next - hopefully, an actual feud with character development.

#2 Zelina Vega's importance on RAW continues to grow

Zelina Vega in the opening segment

Zelina Vega is a Superstar whose presence on RAW has grown significantly since WrestleMania 36. Perhaps you could attribute it to the lack of Superstars present backstage, but it's a big opportunity and she's doing the best to seize it for herself, Andrade, Angel Garza, and even Austin Theory.

She was in the opening segment of RAW for the third week in a row, this time to confront the three Money in the Bank male contestants from RAW - Rey Mysterio, Aleister Black, and Apollo Crews.

It led to the previously-mentioned tag team match where Crews' team won, but that wouldn't be the end of the night for Vega and Andrade. They would be featured again in the match of the night - Andrade vs Apollo Crews for the United States title.

Interestingly, Vega did not interfere, but her group's string of losses finally came to an end as Andrade won as a result of the referee stoppage. While they haven't been winning much, their importance, particularly Zelina Vega's, continues to grow.

#1 Seth Rollins' motives are more than just the WWE Championship

Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre during their contract signing

Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre were in the main event of the show with their contract signing. Jerry 'The King' Lawler was there to begin the proceedings, but McIntyre wisely warned him to move out of the way, telling the Hall of Famer that he knows how these contract signings end.

It was a great way to finish the show, with McIntyre and Rollins engaging in a war of words. It was made clear that Rollins' intention wasn't attaining just the WWE Championship - it was to recruit Drew McIntyre to his "cult".

McIntyre responded by telling Rollins that he's "full of s**t" and fired right back at him. As expected, once the contracts were signed, the brawl would ensue. McIntyre would be the provoked this time, slamming Rollins' head against the table before hitting him with the Glasgow Kiss.

Murphy returned to help Rollins and they embraced, only for McIntyre to slide back in the ring. The Australian star played the sacrificial lamb, pushing Rollins out of the way and eating a Claymore Kick. Next week's segment between them should be a great one.