Raw Five-Point Preview: Oct. 20, 2014

Raw Five-Point Preview: Oct. 20, 2014

Hell in a Cell is one week away, but the diabolical structure will be hanging above the ring this week on Raw, serving as a foreboding reminder of the carnage that lies ahead. As Dean Ambrose prepares to step inside the steel with Seth Rollins and John Cena gets ready to lock up with Randy Orton in the hellish enclosure, The Lunatic Fringe and the Cenation leader must join forces to clash with The Authority in a 2-on-3 Handicap Street Fight. What else can we expect on WWE’s flagship show? WWE.com has some ideas.

Street fighters

John Cena congratulates Dean Ambrose: Raw Backstage Pass, Oct. 13, 2014

After The Lunatic Fringe defeated John Cena in a No Holds Barred Contract on a Pole Match on Raw, the Cenation leader offered some candid words for his victorious opponent on Raw Backstage Pass. Watch this amazing moment, courtesy of WWE Network.

Even though John Cena and Dean Ambrose seemed to be on the same page on Raw Backstage Pass after last week’s No Holds Barred Contract on a Pole Match, the ferocity each Superstar displayed in that bout proved that they’re hardly the best of friends just yet. The Authority aims to test whether Cena and Ambrose can truly coexist by placing them in a 2-on-3 Handicap Street Fight against Seth Rollins, Randy Orton and Kane this week on Raw, six nights before the Cenation leader rekindles his rivalry with The Viper inside Hell in a Cell while Ambrose and Rollins enter the Cell for the very first time to settle their differences one-one-one.

As if competing in a Handicap Street Fight wasn’t nerve-wracking enough, this battle will be waged in the presence of the Hell in a Cell structure itself. What kind of psychological impact will the Cell have on this match’s participants?

Who will live to serve?

Battle of The Bellas: WWE.com Exclusive, Oct. 13, 2014

Nikki Bella interrupts Brie's interview with the news that the rival sisters will get to square off at Hell in a Cell.

In an exclusive WWE.com interview last Monday night, we learned that Nikki and Brie Bella would square off at Hell in a Cell under a bizarre stipulation: Whoever loses the match must serve as the personal assistant of the winner for a month. If the loser fails to perform these duties, they will be forced to quit WWE!

Nikki would like nothing more than to boss Brie around, ordering her twin to perform all manner of humiliating tasks for fear of being ousted from WWE. However, after all Nikki has put Brie through since SummerSlam, a victory on Sunday in Dallas would be the ultimate payback against her bitter sibling. Brie looked on as Nikki dominated her “Total Divas” co-star Naomi on SmackDown, sending a clear message to her sister. Should Brie begin carefully studying Nikki’s lunch orders and laundry preferences this week, just in case?

Kick starter

"Miz TV" with special guest Sheamus: WWE Main Event, October 14, 2014

The Miz and Damien "Mizdow" have a surprise for Sheamus on Main Event.

Damien Mizdow did a heck of a job impersonating Sheamus last week on WWE Main Event, except for the whole getting kicked in the face thing. WWE’s master of mimicry might have unwittingly been giving the WWE Universe a teaser trailer of sorts for what awaits The Miz at Hell in a Cell, where the self-professed “A-Lister” will challenge The Celtic Warrior for the United States Championship.

The Miz recently earned back-to-back victories over Sheamus, but the Irish Superstar gained some key momentum over the Hollywood “megastar” when he successfully teamed with The Usos against The Miz & WWE Tag Team Champions on SmackDown. Will The Miz find a way to reclaim the spotlight before his championship collision with Sheamus?

‘Friendly’ fire

AJ Lee vs. Layla: SmackDown, Oct. 17, 2014

Divas Champion AJ Lee faces Layla while the best friend combination of Paige & Alicia Fox watch from ringside.

As Divas Champion AJ Lee explained on SmackDown, she “doesn’t play well with others” and doesn’t exactly have any allies in the Divas locker room — the only friend she needs is her title. However, if Paige has anything to say about it, The Black Widow will be suffering from some separation anxiety sooner than later.

On Friday night, after AJ defeated Layla, the Divas Champion fell victim to the numbers game as Paige and Alicia Fox orchestrated a two-on-one attack that ended with AJ laid out in the middle of the ring and The Diva of Tomorrow holding the butterfly-emblazoned title high above her head. Was this a sign of things to come?

Big loss for Rusev?

Big Show asks Mark Henry to let him beat Rusev by himself: SmackDown, Oct. 17, 2014

Big Show and Rusev engage in a heated war of words.

Eager to defeat Rusev without the aid of his friend Mark Henry, Big Show has turned his mission to pin Rusev into a solitary quest, and when he clashes with The Super Athlete at Hell in a Cell, he will do so alone with the weight of an entire nation on his back.

The giant came close to felling the mighty Hero of the Russian Federation last week on Raw, when Henry’s interference to save Big Show from the Accolade submission hold ultimately resulted in Rusev’s disqualification victory. Now, with his resolve stronger than ever, The World’s Largest Athlete stands the greatest chance of any Superstar to decisively pin the Russian brute and end his path of destruction. Will we see Rusev attempt to shake the confidence of this American-made giant on Raw, or is The Super Athlete bracing to see stars (and stripes) at Hell in a Cell?

Don’t miss Raw at 8/7 CT on USA Network, and be sure to tune in to Raw Pre-Show at 7:30 p.m. ET, only on WWE Network. 

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