WWE Raw Predictions: Randy Orton Will Come To The Rescue Again
By Mark Justice
4.) Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax vs. Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke [Tag Match]
On last week’s WWE Raw, Dana Brooke defeated Shayna Baszler in a poorly booked match that ended within five minutes. The WWE’s main roster booking of NXT call-ups needs to be revised as soon as possible because this decision to bury Shayna Baszler was as abysmal as the non-title victories on last week’s show. Baszler’s loss was WWE’s way of ridiculously showing that she needs Nia Jax to defeat Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke.
Since Jax was conveniently absent during that match on Raw last week, she will appear this week to help Baszler defeat Rose and Brooke. This will establish Baszler, the first-ever two-time NXT Women’s Champion, as the weak link in this makeshift tag team. Of course, Baszler and Jax will be next in line for tag team gold after this victory but Baszler should be booked as a co-equal dominant force rather than as a sidekick who cannot get the job done without Jax.
Prediction: Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax
3.) Bobby Lashley (w/MVP) (c) vs. Riddle (w/Jeff Hardy) [United States Championship]
On last week’s WWE Raw, Riddle defeated Bobby Lashley in a poorly booked non-title match. These non-title victories over champions need to stop. That notwithstanding, the win warrants a title shot for Riddle. Although this inevitable title match has been reportedly set for the Royal Rumble, the WWE will likely book this title match on this episode of Raw, where Lashley will evidently retain to regain his momentum before entering the Royal Rumble for a future world title opportunity.
As a side note, WWE has completely reversed the roles of Lashley and Riddle, skewing the babyface-heel dynamics. Lashley made Riddle tap out last week when the referee was not looking. Lashley should have won the match, but Riddle nefariously snuck up from behind to roll up Lashley for the pinfall and the victory. This was essentially a double turn that nobody wants. Hopefully, Riddle’s tag team partner, Jeff Hardy, is not turning heel too.
Prediction: Bobby Lashley