The WWE landscape is ablaze with anticipation as the fallout from the Royal Rumble sets the stage for WrestleMania 40. With the Road to WrestleMania officially underway, not to mention gearing up for Elimination Chamber 2024, here are the highlights of what to expect from this week’s editions of RAW and SmackDown.
WWE RAW showdown: Damian Priest & Finn Balor vs. DIY & Jey Uso Collides with Bronson Reed
This week’s edition of RAW kicks off with a bang as the show is set to take place at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. As such, the red brand promises to deliver electrifying showdowns and surprising twists.
Fresh off his historic back-to-back Royal Rumble win, Cody Rhodes is poised to make a monumental decision. Speculation is rife that Rhodes will set his sights on WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns for WrestleMania 40. Could this episode of RAW mark the official announcement of this blockbuster showdown in Philadelphia?
Following their recent string of victories, DIY aims to capitalize on their momentum by challenging tag team champions Finn Balor and Damian Priest. For weeks, DIY has been causing trouble for The Judgment Day. A few weeks ago, Tommaso Ciampa defeated Finn Balor in a singles match. Can DIY clinch the titles and solidify their dominance, potentially emulating their success from NXT?
In a highly anticipated matchup, Kofi Kingston finds himself entangled in a feud with Imperium after inadvertently causing Giovanni Vinci’s injury. Now, Kingston sets his sights on Gunther and the Intercontinental title. A surprising challenge has been laid down as Bronson Reed squares off against Jey Uso, with tensions running high between both stars.
CM Punk and Drew McIntyre, both focused on securing a WrestleMania 40 title shot, find themselves at a crossroads after their Royal Rumble efforts. As such, it will be interesting to see if the RAW general manager, Adam Pearce, announces an Elimination Chamber match to determine the number one contender for Seth Rollins’ World Heavyweight Championship.
WWE SmackDown Showdown: Redemption Rumble – The Road to WrestleMania Begins
After the Royal Rumble, SmackDown gears up for another explosive episode. The show is set to unfold at the Legacy Arena at The BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama. However, the specific matches haven’t been officially announced yet. Fans can expect some announcements this week to build up the excitement for the show.
Following Final Testament’s attack on Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits, repercussions loom large. Will SmackDown GM Nick Aldis address the faction’s actions, or will chaos continue to reign? It will be intriguing to witness the unfolding events between these two factions on SmackDown. Royal Rumble also saw Lashley eliminating Karrion Kross, who later retaliated, sparking a brawl between the two factions.
At Royal Rumble, Logan Paul retained his US title against Kevin Owens in controversial fashion. Furthermore, Owens has vowed to settle the score with Paul. Could a rematch be on the horizon at Elimination Chamber in Australia? The animosity between these two stars shows no signs of stopping.
Following Bayley’s victory in the Women’s Royal Rumble, Damage CTRL has set their sights on Rhea Ripley’s gold. With tensions rising within the faction, will Bayley’s instead choose a showdown with IYO Sky? Meanwhile, Asuka and Kairi Sane’s surprise appearances in the Rumble only add fuel to the fire.
Roman Reigns emerged victorious in a grueling fatal four-way match at Royal Rumble, but Cody Rhodes stole the spotlight by winning the men’s Rumble match. With tensions simmering between these two stars, will Rhodes confront Reigns on SmackDown?
As RAW and SmackDown navigate the aftermath of the Royal Rumble, the WWE Universe braces for electrifying confrontations on the Road to WrestleMania 40.
