At a recent WWE house show at Madison Square Garden, Andrade defeated Rey Mysterio to become the new United States Champion.
Due to the cachet that comes with defeating a wrestler like Mysterio, Andrade’s win against Rey Mysterio was special. Andrade is now tasked with walking into 2020 as the lone male singles champion on Monday Night RAW.
There is lack of a WWE Champion on RAW to anchor to the show. This puts a huge spotlight on the United States Champion. Andrade has the talent to carry Monday Night RAW, the next question is, who he will face as champion?
Here are five opponents for the new United States Champion, Andrade, to face on RAW.
Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe is doing a great job on the RAW commentary team. He has been a breath of fresh air in a difficult transition time for the RAW commentary team. It remains to be seen how long Joe will be featured on the commentary booth. Samoa Joe has done a masterful job in getting the wrestlers to connect with the television viewers.
A feud with Andrade can be developed through Joe being on commentary and lead to a match between both men on RAW. Andrade has shown an ability to wrestle any style in the ring against any wrestler on the roster. A set of matches with Joe could be a different style of professional wrestling in each match. With Joe being such a strong commentator, it has been building up steam for his return to the ring.
This feud does not need to begin right away. This is the right feud to develop slowly as Andrade gains equity with fans as a United States Champion. The right time to start that feud off will be a few months into his reign, when a stronger Andrade and Zelina Vega begin to confronting Joe on commentary. Vega is a strong character on the microphone, and she can verbally spar with Joe as a way to build up anticipation for when Andrade and Joe step into the ring against each other on RAW.
Humberto Carrillo
These two professional wrestlers have not had a bad match against each other. When they step in the ring together, their chemistry is off the charts. One challenge that they have lacked stakes in their contests. Now with Andrade being United States Champion, they have something to wrestle for, and that will add to their rivalry.
Carrillo has found gold with the way that he connects with fans, and Andrade is the perfect villain to build up Carrillo. This benefits both wrestlers because each one makes the others character stronger. On a weekly basis, this is a match that could main event Monday Night RAW. The challenge for this rivalry will be how to drum up emotion for the viewers with Carrillo not having a strong track record on the microphone yet. There is an opening for a manager to verbally spar with Vega on RAW on Carrillo’s behalf. This feud could also escalate by other wrestlers on RAW doing the verbal promotion for Carrillo.
RAW has struggled lately with separating itself from SmackDown on FOX or the fast paced style of RAW. A feud with Carrillo and Andrade can build something special that fans aren’t going to be able to see elsewhere at the buffet table that is WWE television. Depending on the amount of time that both men are given, they could walk into WrestleMania season with one of the hottest feuds in WWE.
Montez Ford
WWE can produce this match, and still not break up The Street Profits. For wrestling fans in their 30s, there was symbolism with the Intercontinental Championship. It was the championship that was held by the best in ring professional wrestler. The WWF Championship was traditionally held by the biggest draw in the company. While those days are not the same anymore, there is a new level of symbolism with the United States Championship. The United States Championship is now known as the championship that gives wrestlers an opportunity to shine in spots that they might not traditionally be given.
Montez Ford is a star in the making with his athletic ability that has shocked fans. He has been able to emotionally connect with fans. He might not be ready to have a singles run, and there isn’t a desire to separate The Street Profits as a tag team, but a match with Andrade could be the right platform for Ford to show what he can do. Andrade has shown an ability to take other wrestlers to a higher level by being in the ring with him. A match with Andrade and Ford, given the right amount of time to tell the right story, would add more value to both men.
As the United States Champion, it is Andrade’s responsibility to showcase Ford as a potential break out star. Both men have a ton of upside, and this match could show fans a bright future.
Cedric Alexander
Cedric Alexander was once bright shining star in WWE. Due to unknown reasons, he has cooled off on RAW. Alexander is the latest victim of WWE’s inability to consistently develop a professional wrestler into a television superstar.
As a United States Champion, Andrade is now in the role of adding credibility to fan favorite wrestlers by defeating them. Alexander’s strengths is in his an ability to connect with fans the severity of the beating his is receiving in the match. This blend of skills works perfectly to give Andrade strength as a new champion, promote Alexander as someone who comes so close to dethroning Andrade, but falls a little bit short each time.
It is unknown where, from a character standpoint, the miss with Alexander is. One week he is going toe to toe with Drew McIntyre and then he is off television for weeks afterwards. If a feud with Andrade can go on for a few weeks, Alexander should be able to strength his television persona with how the matches are portrayed.
Andrade should be a strong champion that represents RAW through WrestleMania 36. If this is the case, he needs to accomplish victories over the strongest talent on RAW. Alexander might not be the strongest wrestler before a rivalry with Andrade begins, but he should walk away from this feud as one of the strongest fan favorites on RAW.
Curt Hawkins
Numerous wrestlers have become champions in WWE, but their runs as champion don’t match the emotional ride of their chase of the championships. This can be due to their first opponent defeating them for the championship.
One successful aspect from previous WWE eras’, was enhancement talent. These wrestlers may not win many matches, but they are effective in helping other wrestlers look stronger. This is a role that Curt Hawkins has filled for years in WWE. Hawkins won’t defeat Andrade for the United States Championship, but what he can accomplish in making Andrade look a stronger than before.
This match could provide a future match with Zack Ryder. Andrade could defeat Hawkins in a match and then viciously attack him after the match, leading his fried Ryder to come down and make the save. Ryder has always had the connection with fans so adding him to this feud will do wonders for Andrade.
Andrade will be heading into 2020 as the lone male individual champion on Monday Night RAW. In order for him to bring strength to that role, he will need to gain wins over talent on a weekly basis. A win over a wrestler the level of Hawkins won’t set the world on fire. It will be a win on RAW that slowly builds Andrade as a strong champion.
Hawkins knows how to enhance what Andrade does well, and should be able to assist the future of RAW in a match with the United States Champion.