4 Predictions for WWE Raw: May 15, 2017

The Big Dog Enters the Squared Circle

When Roman Reigns was soundly defeated by Braun Strowman at Payback, most didn’t expect him to make a quick return. His absence was going to mark the ascension of Strowman, but it turns out an untimely injury put a damper on the plan. With the monstrous competitor set to miss around 4-8 weeks of action, it’s difficult to determine what to expect next.

Although the injury undermined WWE’s plans, it’s evident that they still view Reigns versus Strowman as an important feud. This is certainly the right call, but their rivalry cannot survive on promos alone. The best thing to do in this situation is to have the Big Dog return to action sooner than expected.

Frequent appearances by Reigns are a great way to allow the commentary team to hype up their rivalry. Also, having the Big Dog compete will show fans why he’s such a force to be reckoned with. Having him win a few matches while Strowman recovers will benefit both him and the upcoming contest, which is exactly what WWE needs right now.

Considering that the Universal Champion (Brock Lesnar) isn’t present week to week, these two men are arguably the biggest stars on Raw. As such, the company cannot afford to have both absent from the Flagship show. Since the injury suffered by Strowman has restricted his in-ring participation, the Big Dog needs to step-up.

In a perfect situation, Reigns could slowly transit to television to confront Strowman. However, WWE has the chance to produce a storyline just as appealing if they compel viewers to watch. Having the Big Dog back on Raw is a step in the right direction, with tonight being the true test for the current path.