WWE RAW - 5 Potential Surprises - A retired legend returns ahead of The Royal Rumble; Miz invites another couple for a dream match 

Could The Miz and Maryse tease their WrestleMania feud already?
Could The Miz and Maryse tease their WrestleMania feud already?

The final WWE RAW episode before The Royal Rumble should be one for the ages. Some segments have already been announced and others may be announced as we get closer to the show.

The excitement is always at an all-time high as The Royal Rumble approaches. Yes, technically WrestleMania is the bigger show but because of its nature and its unpredictability, the Rumble match is just a lot more fun to watch. So, with that said, feel free to weigh in on potential surprises that could take place at the go-home episode of the red brand.

Also, remember that the brand split has been diluted significantly. We saw Big E and Kevin Owens on SmackDown this week, meaning that WWE RAW could also potentially see a few stars from the blue brand show up.

Enough talk. Let's dive straight into the picks we've shortlisted for this article.


#5 X-Pac returns to WWE RAW and announces that he'll be at the upcoming Royal Rumble

X-Pac announced recently that he'll be ring-ready by the start of the year on The Bump. Could he return this week, ahead of the Royal Rumble match, to announce that he'll be a part of the marquee event as well?

Many Superstars, including Corey Graves, have announced their desire to face a returning X-Pac, which could play out on this week's show. Could X-Pac have a showdown with someone from the current roster? If so, who do you think should take the legend on ahead of the Royal Rumble?

Sean Waltman paved the road for many smaller wrestlers to enter the business, and the pro wrestling landscape today is a reflection of his legacy. One has to believe that he would really love and relish yet another moment under the spotlight.

#4 The Miz and Maryse call out Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch for WrestleMania this year

Once the feud between the two top WWE RAW couples is over and done, could The Miz and Maryse challenge the real-life duo of Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins? Perhaps the challenge is made on this week's show with the match finally taking place at WrestleMania this year?

Miz and Mrs. is a successful show and the company may want to showcase their silver-screen stars against the top couple in WWE. It doesn't really get any bigger unless Triple H and Stephanie McMahon return to the ring once again.


#3 WWE RAW Superstar Finn Balor makes an offer to AJ Styles

Where does Finn Balor go after losing to Austin Theory? One possible route he could traverse is a tag team run with one of the best in the world - AJ Styles.

The Phenomenal One and The Prince have faced each other before and it was a pretty good match. A feud with Gable and Otis could really work wonders for everyone involved.

#2 An unexpected name confronts the WWE RAW Women's Champion this week

WWE RAW Women's Champion Becky Lynch could be in for a nasty surprise this week when she's confronted by Asuka, returning after an absence of many months. A report emerged recently that stated that she may be cleared to wrestle now.

Asuka vs. Becky Lynch may be a tease for WrestleMania, a match that the Empress of Tomorrow demands after she wins the Royal Rumble this year. It's definitely a match that fans would want to see, the returning babyface vs. the unbeatable heel champion.


#1 Kevin Owens becomes the new United States Champion

Kevin Owens defeated Damian Priest last week, which is not something that happens very often. If the idea is for Priest to win the Royal Rumble match and challenge Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania, could he lose the United States Championship this week?

Maybe Kevin Owens bends the rules or enlists the help of Seth Rollins to pick up a big win to become the brand new Champion. And Priest goes on to even bigger things!