Raw Five-Point Preview: July 7, 2014

Raw Five-Point Preview: July 7, 2014

Just days after the United States celebrated Independence Day, the fireworks continue as WWE heads to The Great White North for Raw. In breaking news, WWE.com has learned that Bret "Hit Man" Hart will be in Montreal tonight! Plus, WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena battles Seth Rollins while Canada’s own Chris Jericho prepares to go one-on-one against the brash and egotistical Miz. What else can the WWE Universe expect less than two weeks before WWE Battleground? WWE.com has some theories.

Will the return of Bret Hart turn Raw upside-down?

Raw Five-Point Preview: July 7, 2014

Ever since WWE Hall of Famer Bret “Hitman” Hart tweeted that he will be on Raw tonight in Montreal at 8/7 CT on USA Network, both social media and the WWE locker room have been clamoring for the return of The Excellence of Execution!

But what will the five-time WWE Champion bring to an already turbulent Monday night atmosphere, in the same city that once played host to one of his most controversial professional moments?

Watch Bret Hart vs. HBK at WrestleMania on WWE Network

Could Hart choose to confront The Authority about their recent involvement in the WWE World Heavyweight Title picture? While WWE COO Triple H might not approve of such interference from his once-heated adversary, no one could deny that such a confrontation would be “best for business.” Perhaps he will take the opportunity to play a part in in Hart Family Dudgeon alumni Chris Jericho’s match with the outspoken Miz, a Superstar who Hart definitely has had issues with in the past.

No matter what happens, the mere fact that Bret Hart is stepping back into the Raw ring in Canada makes tonight’s show must-see, all by itself.

The Y2J problem

Chris Jericho and The Miz return to WWE: Raw, June 30, 2014

Both Chris Jericho and The Miz make their returns to the WWE ring on Raw.

Oh, hey Miz. We totally missed you. Fresh from the set of WWE Studios’ “The Marine 4: Moving Target,” the egotistical Awesome One returned to WWE last Monday with the bombast one might expect from, well, Chris Jericho, who also happened to roll through Raw to give us all a glimpse of that endlessly cool light-up jacket of his. Jericho made short work of the self-professed “A-Lister,” much to the delight of the WWE Universe, but Y2J’s smile soon faded when he faced a three-on-one attack by The Wyatt Family.

Watch incredible Y2J arrivals |  Photos from Raw

The Wyatts continued to target Jericho on SmackDown, warning The Ayatollah of Rock ‘n’ Rolla to “save” himself. On Raw, Jericho will compete in a WWE ring for the first time in nearly a year against a vengeful Miz. Will The Eater of Worlds and his sinister disciples make their presence known during this anticipated encounter? 

More ‘Money,’ more problems

Seth Rollins attempts to cash in: Raw, June 30, 2014

Seth Rollins hopes to make history by cashing in his Money in the Bank Contract on a helpless WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena.

Just one night after John Cena became a 15-time World Champion at Money in the Bank, Seth Rollins nearly brought Triple H’s “Plan B” into action, attempting to cash in on The Champ after Cena suffered a horrific assault by Kane. The Cenation leader’s salvation came in the oh-so-unlikely form of Dean Ambrose, who ambushed his former “brother” before Rollins’ WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match against Cena could begin.

View photos of Cena’s title win |  Rollins becomes Mr. Money in the Bank

Despite that failed attempt, Rollins remains Mr. Money in the Bank, and will continue to stalk Cena in pursuit of WWE’s grandest prize. However, just as Rollins forces The Champ to keep his head on a swivel, so, too, does The Lunatic Fringe aim to unsettle his onetime comrade. Whenever Rollins attempts to cash in his Money in the Bank contract, Ambrose has vowed to be there to prevent it.  

Tonight on Raw, Rollins once again finds himself in close proximity to Cena’s title when he goes up against The Champ in a one-on-one clash. Will the strategist use his contract to transform this non-title encounter into a WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match? If so, how will Ambrose find a way to factor himself into the equation? 

What’s Paige’s endgame?

Paige vs. AJ Lee - Divas Championship Match: Raw, June 30, 2014

Divas Champion Paige defends her title against a returning AJ Lee.

Déjà vu, anyone? Just as a debuting Paige captured AJ Lee’s Divas Title the night after WrestleMania, a returning AJ reclaimed her prize in a similarly unexpected championship collision with The Diva of Tomorrow last week on Raw.

AJ comments on title win |  Watch Paige’s post-match reaction

Paige has taken the loss in stride, at least on the surface. On SmackDown, the British beauty sat at ringside during AJ’s non-title clash against Eva Marie, even offering a congratulatory handshake to the two-time Divas Champion after the match. Is this a show of good sportsmanship, or is Paige trying to gain a psychological edge over the returning titleholder — a Diva who knows a thing or two about mind games herself? 

Don’t tread on Zeb

Jack Swagger defends America against Rusev: Raw, June 30, 2014

Jack Swagger & Zeb Colter take exception to the anti-American remarks of Rusev & Lana.

We never thought we’d say this, but we’re actually agreeing with Zeb Colter these days. Last Monday night, the outspoken Real American defended the United States of America against Lana’s anti-American rhetoric before Jack Swagger brought the fight to the monstrous Rusev and forced the behemoth out of the ring. The “U.S.A.” chants where deafening and we can only assume that, somewhere, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan was giving a thumbs-up in approval.

Watch a patriotic fantasy match-up |  Fourth of July Divas

On Friday, The Ravishing Russian and The Bulgarian Brute attempted to spoil Damien Sandow’s Fourth of July festivities on SmackDown, but Swagger and Zeb once again defended Old Glory against the invading Russian oppressors who retreated after a prolonged staredown.

This Monday on Raw, will the “Cold War” between Swagger and Rusev heat up? Don’t miss any of the action beginning with Raw Pre-Show at 7:30 p.m. ET, only on WWE Network. 

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