WWE Raw preview, Dec. 18, 2017: Lesnar returns to address Strowman and Kane

The Beast Incarnate is back! After a monstrous main event pitting Braun Strowman against Kane ended in a double
count-out, Universal Champion Brock Lesnar does not have a challenger for the Royal Rumble event. As the WWE
Universe awaits a decision by Raw General Manager Kurt Angle, The Conqueror resurfaces.

Absolution put on notice

“Woken Warriors” assemble

Who will battle The Beast at Royal Rumble?

Who will be next to challenge Roman Reigns?

Can Cedric Alexander make the most of his second chance?

Who will battle The Beast at Royal Rumble?

This past Monday night’s Raw main event should have decided Brock Lesnar’s Universal Championship challenger at the
2018 Royal Rumble event on Sunday, Jan. 28. However, Braun Strowman and Kane’s hard-hitting bout quickly descended
into chaos. Following a double count-out, neither Superstar emerged as The Beast’s challenger. So, who will rise
to face The Conqueror?
Live on Raw, Lesnar returns to address the future of his championship — and the behemoths intent on capturing it.

Can Cedric Alexander make the most of his second chance?

After winning a “Second Chance” Fatal 4-Way Match this past Monday night on Raw, Cedric Alexander will now battle
Drew Gulak on the forthcoming edition of Raw, with the winner of that contest going on to challenge Enzo Amore
for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.
Alexander has vowed to make the most of this new opportunity, and many of his Cruiserweight compatriots stand behind
him as he looks to move past Gulak and derail The Zo Train by taking down its conductor. Meanwhile, Gulak is faced
with an interesting choice: Should he defeat Alexander, will he bring the fight to The Certified G, or will he
hand Amore an easy victory? We will soon find out.

Absolution put on notice

Paige, Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville gave Asuka a choice: Either she joins Absolution, or she becomes their enemy. The
Empress of Tomorrow chose the latter, and soon fell victim to a three-on-one beatdown like so many Superstars before her.
Asuka, however, had backup. The entire Raw Women’s locker room soon emptied, with friend and foe alike — including
Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss — emerging to end Absolution’s onslaught.
Absolution defeated Bayley, Sasha Banks & Mickie James at WWE Tribute to the Troops, but they still have the rest
of the Raw Women’s division to deal with. How will Paige and her ruthless allies retaliate?

Who will be next to challenge Roman Reigns?

In a hard-fought match, Roman Reigns ultimately defeated Cesaro this past Monday night to retain the Intercontinental
Championship. Then, at WWE Tribute to the Troops, The Big Dog celebrated alongside his Shield brothers after scoring
a victory over Samoa Joe and The Bar in a raucous Six-Man Tag Team Match.
As Reigns carries his workhorse title to Raw, it remains to be seen who will step up next. Will it be Sheamus or Joe,
or will a new nemesis step into his yard?

“Woken Warriors” assemble

Matt Hardy is “Woken,” and he’s ready for war … a Great War, in fact. The unusual Superstar continues his labyrinthine
verbal exchanges with Bray Wyatt, each more bizarre than the last.
Will Hardy and The Eater of Words collide in physical combat, or will the bewildering tirades continue?