WrestleMania main eventer to return, new champion crowned? - 3 last-minute predictions for WWE RAW on Netflix tonight
After WWE's hugely successful debut on Netflix last week, RAW now rolls into San Jose, California as the build to the Royal Rumble continues.
Last Monday fans saw legends such as The Rock, Hulk Hogan, and The Undertaker make seemingly one-off appearances on the show. This week, however, it looks like the full-timers will get their chance to shine on Netflix.
With many big matches already booked for tonight, we are going to take a look at three moments that may take place on Monday Night RAW this evening.
#3. Dakota Kai wins singles gold
On tonight's episode of RAW, Dakota Kai and Lyra Valkyria will face off in the tournament finale which is set to crown the inaugural Women's Intercontinental Champion.
In December 2024 WWE fans saw Chelsea Green strike gold as she became the first-ever Women's United States Champion at Saturday Night's Main Event. It is now over to the women on the red brand to make their own history.
While Valkyria would be a worthy champion, many fans are keen to see Dakota Kai win the gold due to the long journey she has been on in the WWE. From debuting on NXT in 2015 to various tag team title wins along the way, the New Zealander has always been seen as a side thought to whichever group she is in, this Monday is her chance for the spotlight to firmly be on her.
Speaking on The Ringer Wrestling Show, Kai spoke about what this match means to her and her WWE career as a whole:
"I am so pumped. I’m very overwhelmed,” Kai said. “I mean, it feels like it’s been a long time coming. I’ve been in the company for about seven years now, and while I’ve had opportunities, it’s almost been like close but no cigar. So for me, next week is a big opportunity to show what I can do, for starters, and then hopefully finish off that fairytale ending and have my hand raised high and have that belt around my waist."
#2. Mami looks to get one over on Dom
One of the biggest feel-good moments on RAW's debut on Netflix was Rhea Ripley defeating Liv Morgan to reclaim the Women's World Heavyweight Championship, a title she had to relinquish due to injury last year.
After her win, a slimy Dominik Mysterio looked to get back into the good books of the new champion as he tried to hug his old Judgment Day teammate. This led to the joy of all those in attendance after Rhea Ripley snubbed Mysterio's hug and instead kicked him in the groin before she delivered her devastating riptide finisher to the former NXT North American Champion.
While it seems as though Ripley and Morgan's feud is finally over, Rhea and Dom's may take a twist tonight on RAW.
With the power that Ripley possesses many WWE fans have wanted to see her compete against some of her male colleagues in an inter-gender match. Given the chemistry that she has with Dominik Mysterio, he would certainly make for a quality and logical opponent.
Speaking on Backstage Pass during a live Q&A with WrestleVotes, Senior Sporskeeda Editor Bill Apter provided an update regarding WWE's stance on potentially doing an inter-gender match between Mysterio and Ripley:
"I know it’s been brought up. Unfortunately, I don’t know how high it has made it. There’s a real desire on some level of creative to do this match before the angle phases out," WrestleVotes reported.
#1. The Man comes around in WWE once more
Ahead of RAW's debut episode on Netflix last week, WWE fans were eagerly anticipating the return of one of the first women to main event WrestleMania, Becky Lynch. The Irishwoman has been out of action since May of last year after she failed to regain the Women's World title in a Steel Cage match on RAW against Liv Morgan.
All signs seemed to suggest that Lynch was set to return after Morgan and Ripley's match last week. However, those plans were reportedly scrapped in favor of Rhea celebrating with the Undertaker after she regained her belt.
With another week passed fans are now hoping that this will be the week for the Man to make her much-anticipated return.
While the nature of how she comes back is still highly speculated many are hoping that she declares herself as the first woman to be a part of this year's Royal Rumble match.
