WWE Raw Takeaways: This may be Asuka’s Backlash opponent

WWE Raw featured several memorable segments and announcements, including an effective twist on the brand split.

Fans won’t forget the May 11 episode of WWE Raw after the Money in the Bank Pay Per View anytime soon.

Becky Lynch announced she would be taking time off wrestling in order to become a mother, relinquishing the WWE Raw Women’s Title to Money in the Bank winner Asuka. The IIconics returned. Kairi Sane was back, too. Seth Rollins lost his mind. Randy Orton vs. Edge was announced for Backlash. And there was a new tweak to the brand split.

Here are the biggest takeaways from this week’s show.

Exciting times ahead for Jinder Mahal

I look back at Jinder Mahal’s reign as WWE Champion fondly because of the satisfying conclusion when AJ Styles defeated him to a thunderous pop in Manchester. Mahal’s run was, in many ways, doomed because of Vince McMahon’s awful promo writing and the botched feud with fan-favorite Shinsuke Nakamura, but Mahal was a strong point as a performer.

A great promo and decent-at-worst in the ring, Mahal told fans on WWE Raw that he has seen what former Three Man Band teammate Drew McIntyre is doing as a fighting champion and wants to earn the same respect.

Mahal is embarking on a “hero’s journey” on Raw, and I can’t wait to see how it ends up going for the Modern Day Maharaja. He could turn in his best work yet.