Randy Orton last stood atop the mountain as WWE Champion back in 2010. Now, The Viper looks almost untouchable with the McMahon family machine backing him as the face of the company. But as Orton relishes in his new reign, former WWE Champion CM Punk looks to find a way back on top. Here are five reasons tonight's Raw at 8/7 CT on USA Network is must-see, including a newly announced bout between Rob Van Dam and World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio.

1. Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel vs. CM Punk

Some friendships just fade away, while others implode like that of Paul Heyman and CM Punk. On last week’s Raw, Punk displayed a raw fury the WWE Universe has perhaps never seen. For weeks, The Straight Edge Superstar has made it abundantly clear that he wants to beat the heck out of Heyman! The Second City Saint accepted Curtis Axel’s challenge issued on SmackDown and is itching to put a hurting on Heyman’s prized young Superstar this Monday. If Punk takes care of business against Axel, is Heyman next to feel his wrath?

Challenge accepted. #SmackDown #iliketohurtpeople

— CM Punk (@CMPunk) August 24, 2013

2. World's Largest + World's Strongest

Ever since their debut, The Shield have taken on — and taken down — a slew of WWE Superstars. During their path of destruction, Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns have held a stranglehold on the WWE Tag Team Titles. Now that Big Show & Mark Henry have declared their allegiance, Rollins & Reigns find themselves in the sights of two of WWE’s largest and most dangerous Superstars. Will the massive pairing finally be the force to crush The Shield and their brand of “justice”?

3. RVD's new alliance

Ricardo Rodriguez comments on now working with Rob Van Dam.

While the friendship between World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez has disintegrated, another has formed between Rodriguez and the great Rob Van Dam. After revealing their alliance last week, Ricardo interrupted a match between Del Rio and Christian on SmackDown to introduce Van Dam. The distraction led to Christian dropkicking Del Rio and Van Dam finishing him off with Rolling Thunder. Will the World Heavyweight Champion be looking for retribution on Raw?

4. Where is Kane?

At 323 pounds, it’s pretty hard to just disappear. But that is exactly what has happened to Kane since he was last seen being carted away from the ring at SummerSlam by The Wyatt Family. The Big Red Monster failed to surface on SmackDown. Will we find out more about his whereabouts on Raw?

Where is Kane?

5. Summer of The Viper

Randy Orton has found himself in a very comfortable position. Former WWE Champion John Cena is out of commission for up to six months. WWE COO Triple H is firmly in The Viper’s corner — although Orton claims he had no idea Triple H was going to do what he did at SummerSlam. And Mr. McMahon himself said he didn’t want Daniel Bryan to emerge from SummerSlam as WWE Champion.

The odds are certainly against the submission specialist ever becoming WWE Champion again. But the journeyman grappler who Stephanie McMahon described as a “B+” Superstar will get another chance at the WWE Title at Night of Champions. Can you think of a bigger underdog than Bryan in recent years?

Last week Bryan suffered a beating from The Shield and an RKO from The Viper. What might the powers that be do next to try to keep Bryan down? Find out Monday at 8/7 CT on USA Network.

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