WWE Raw Predictions: Cody Rhodes Will BURY Shinsuke Nakamura

WWE Raw is continuing its road to WWE Royal Rumble 2024, which is shaping up with some top candidates like Jade Cargill and the returning CM Punk being potential Rumble winners this year.

On this week’s episode of WWE Raw, three matches have been officially scheduled: Cody Rhodes vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Maxxine Dupri, and Drew McIntyre vs. “Main Event” Jey Uso.

Also, Becky Lynch is set to confront Nia Jax and revitalize her Survivor Series 2018  “FaceBreaker” storyline with her, and CM Punk returns to Raw to relinquish his free agency status and officially sign with a brand. Since his main feud will be with Seth Rollins on the road to WrestleMania 40, he will very likely sign with Raw, especially since Mr. RKO already signed with SmackDown.

In other news regarding WWE Raw, R-Truth has been messing around with Judgment Day. Although Gunther retained the title against Miz, Miz wants another shot at the gold. Elsewhere in the midcard, Bronson Reed and Ivar had a double countout and will likely settle the score in a rematch.

Regarding the tag divisions, Tegan Nox and Natalya failed to win the tag titles from Chelsea and Piper, so KC^2 arose after defeating Nox and Natalya last week. Creed Bros are set challengers, as they are the number one contenders for Judgment Day’s Tag Team Titles.

With that being said, the following will focus on the three announced matches and the idea of Cody Rhodes burying Shinsuke Nakamura on the road to WWE Royal Rumble 2024.

WWE Raw is scheduled to take place on December 11, 2023, live on USA, and Cody Rhodes will BURY Shinsuke Nakamura en route to WWE Royal Rumble 2024.

Cody Rhodes. vs. Shinsuke Nakamura [Grudge Match]

Cody Rhodes will defeat Shinsuke Nakamura because he cannot lose singles matches on random episodes of Raw before he finishes the story against Roman Reigns. WWE has a compelling storyline here, as Nakamura drew parallels between his and Rhodes’ Royal Rumble victories and roads to WrestleMania, where they lost their respective world title matches against AJ Styles and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 34 and WrestleMania 39.

The objective for Cody Rhodes is to differentiate those stories by proving that he will redeem himself at ‘Mania 40, unlike Nakamura.

Prediction: Cody Rhodes

Rhea Ripley vs. Maxxine Dupri [Non-Title Match]

Rhea Ripley will defeat Maxxine Dupri because she should not lose a non-title singles match on a random episode of Raw as world champion, especially to someone with lackluster momentum like Maxxine Dupri.

The only reason they booked this match is because Creed Bros are feuding with Finn Balor and Damian Priest from Judgment Day, and Maxxine Dupri has seemed to ally with Ivy Nile. This victory should lead to Ripley battling Ivy Nile next before Judgment Day retain their titles against Creed Bros and move on to DIY on the road to ‘Mania.

Prediction: Rhea Ripley

Drew McIntyre vs. Jey Uso [Grudge Match]

Drew McIntyre will defeat Jey Uso because he needs to rebuild his momentum for his future world title shot against Seth Rollins, which will likely occur at the Rumble. Sami Zayn made some compelling points last week in conveying that he and McIntyre had similar paths in the troubles they had with The Bloodline.

They both lost to Roman Reigns in their hometowns of the UK and Montreal Quebec, Canada at Clash at the Castle and Elimination Chamber, respectively. Their reactions to their downfalls were different. One was vengeful whilst the other was redemptive.

However, McIntyre made a good counterargument that Zayn deserved his downfall after joining forces with Bloodline and betraying them thereafter. The heel McIntyre remains salty about The Bloodline and wants revenge, while the babyface Zayn dusted that salty chip off his shoulder and continued fighting for redemption.

This storyline is WrestleMania worthy and the WWE fans already got to witness it for free on Raw. McIntyre can once again let off some steam on Jey Uso as a way to get revenge on The Bloodline for their wrongdoings to him in the past.

Prediction: Drew McIntyre

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