WWE Raw Predictions (5/4/2020): AJ Styles Will Replace Apollo Crews

1.) Andrade vs. Angel Garza vs. Austin Theory vs. MVP vs. Jinder Mahal vs. Bobby Lashley vs. AJ Styles [Last Chance Gauntlet Match: Winner Replaces Apollo Crews in the Men’s MITB Ladder Match]

From a storyline standpoint, Andrade winning the Last Chance Gauntlet Match would make the most storyline sense out of any possible alternatives because he was the superstar who injured Apollo Crews in the first place. If Andrade replaces him, it would be a spit in the face of Crews, leave a sour taste in the WWE Universe’s mouths, and elicit the heel heat he needs as a heel United States Champion.

From a momentum standpoint, the dominant Jinder Mahal and/or Bobby Lashley would be suitable replacements because they have been defeating jobbers left and right and would need to keep their momentum going. If Mahal is the replacement, he could earn himself a WWE Championship match against his former 3MB comrade; if Lashley is the replacement, he could earn a WWE Championship match against the superstar who defeated Brock Lesnar before he did.

From a popularity standpoint, AJ Styles would be the ideal replacement for Apollo Crews in the Men’s MITB Ladder Match. Now that Styles is the new Deadman, he now has the power to dig holes and take souls, which he is justified to do in this gauntlet match if he makes a phenomenal return from his grave to WWE Raw this week.

His storyline has nothing to do with Apollo Crews but he was stuck in the mid-card before battling The Undertaker and he should remain in the main event scene after battling The Undertaker in what was a show-stealing Boneyard Match in the main event of WrestleMania: Night 1. By winning this gauntlet match, he will then earn a shot at winning the MITB contract, which would keep him in contention for main card championships in the main event scene where he belongs.

Prediction: AJ Styles