Raw Five-Point Preview: May 18, 2015

Raw Five-Point Preview: May 18, 2015

5 P.M. UPDATE: As revealed on Twitter by J&J Security, Stephanie McMahon is returning to Raw tonight, live at 8/7 C on USA Network. 

In the wake of WWE Payback, tonight’s Raw is already shaping up to be one of the most explosive in recent WWE history. With John Cena already announcing that his U.S. Open Challenge will continue following his U.S. Championship defense against Rusev, we now know that the Divas Championship and the WWE Tag Team Championship will also be on the line!

As if that wasn’t enough, Bray Wyatt will be in action, and new details on WWE Elimination Chamber — taking place in less than two weeks on the award-winning WWE Network — are sure to emerge. What else is in store? WWE.com has some ideas. 

What ‘I Quit’ Match aftermath lies ahead for Cena, Rusev and Lana?

U.S. Champion John Cena issues an open challenge for Raw: WWE Payback 2015

On WWE Payback Fallout, United States Champion John Cena issues an open challenge for any Superstar to face him on Raw: Courtesy of the award-winning WWE Network.

United States Champion John Cena continued his “I Quit” Match undefeated streak at WWE Payback, forcing the pained Rusev to scream out in Bulgarian before Lana claimed The Super Athlete had said “I quit” and admitted defeat in his final battle against The Champ. The Ravishing Russian’s intervention didn’t sit well with the frustrated Hero of the Russian Federation, who angrily dismissed the beauty after the bout.

What does it all mean? Have we seen the last of Rusev and Lana as a unit? If so, what is Lana’s next move? Will The Super Athlete address the situation publicly? Speculation abounds in the lead-up to Raw.

Meanwhile, Cena remains “the man to beat” in WWE, and he vowed to continue his U.S. Open Challenge in an exclusive interview on the WWE Payback Fallout show, exclusively on the award-winning WWE Network. Who will seek out this golden opportunity on Raw? 

Can The New Day withstand tonight’s stipulation?

Cesaro & Tyson Kidd comment on their tough loss at WWE Payback: WWE.com Exclusive, May 17, 2015

Tyson Kidd & Cesaro talk about their defeat at the hands of The New Day at WWE Payback.

The New Day might have been all smiles as they celebrated their WWE Tag Team Championship retention at WWE Payback, but the milk they drank out of champagne glasses quickly soured when the trio learned that their titles will be defended in the first-ever WWE Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber Match, live in less than two weeks on WWE Network.

However, in order to compete in that historic clash, the trio will first have to get through Tyson Kidd & Cesaro in a title rematch, live tonight on Raw. Plus, after Xavier Woods helped his partners in positivity steal a victory in last night’s battle, the brains of The New Day will be barred from ringside! Is the sun setting on The New Day?

Is Bray Wyatt more powerful than ever?

Ryback leaps from the top rope onto Bray Wyatt: WWE Payback 2015 (WWE Network Exclusive)

In an incredible maneuver, Ryback climbs to the top rope and launches himself onto Bray Wyatt at WWE Payback: Courtesy of the award-winning WWE Network.

Bray Wyatt might have been defeated by The Undertaker on The Grandest Stage of Them All at WrestleMania 31, but The New Face of Fear seems nearly unstoppable after felling the mighty Ryback at WWE Payback, putting away The Big Guy with Sister Abigail upon sending the behemoth into an exposed turnbuckle.

After Wyatt’s psychological warfare conquered the voracious Ryback’s physical strength, what will The Eater of Worlds consume next? Wyatt will be in action tonight.

Don’t miss Raw at 8/7 C on USA Network, and be sure to watch Raw Pre-Show at 7:30 ET, exclusively on the award-winning WWE Network. 

Is Rollins really as good as he says he is?

Who's next for Seth Rollins?: WWE.com Exclusive, May 17, 2015

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins talks to WWE.com about successfully defending his title at WWE Payback.

Following a brief Shield reunion that probably didn’t go the way Seth Rollins had planned, The Architect walked out of WWE Payback with the prestigious WWE World Heavyweight Championship, sealing the victory by hitting Randy Orton with Triple H’s signature Pedigree, no less!

How will “The Future of WWE” follow up on his impressive win? Plus, with Kane’s career in The Authority secure after Rollins’ retention, what’s the Director of Operations’ next move? 

Will Naomi become the next Divas Champion on Raw?

Naomi & Tamina comment on their victory at WWE Payback: WWE.com Exclusive, May 17, 2015

Naomi claims she is deserving of a Divas Title opportunity after pinning Nikki Bella at WWE Payback.

Is it the shoes? Well, as we saw at WWE Payback, Naomi’s recent run of successes has little to do with her light-up kicks. In the night’s Divas Tag Team Match, Naomi & Tamina dominated Nikki & Brie Bella, with Naomi sealing the win with a pinfall over Divas Champion Nikki Bella.

After that impressive show of force, Naomi has no doubt brought herself closer to another Divas Championship opportunity, going so far as to throw down the gauntlet in a WWE.com interview after her WWE Payback victory. This afternoon, the match was made official, and it will be Naomi vs. Nikki for the Divas Title in an explosive, must-see title bout.

Don’t miss Raw at 8/7 C on USA Network, and be sure to watch Raw Pre-Show at 7:30 ET, exclusively on the award-winning WWE Network. 

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