WWE Raw sets its sights on the journey toward WWE PayBack 2023, a path anticipated to flow seamlessly from the grandeur of their monumental SummerSlam spectacle. Unveiling this chapter on the latest episode of WWE Raw, a deviation from the norm occurs as plans for matches and segments vanish into thin air. While SummerSlam etched indelible memories, etching Iyo Sky’s iconic cash-in and engendering riveting showdowns such as Cody Rhodes locking horns with Brock Lesnar, and Seth Rollins engaging in a clash of titans with Finn Balor, the rumor mill spun tales of comebacks that remained disappointingly elusive. Among these absentees were Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, The Rock, Goldberg, and the conspicuously anticipated return of Big E.
Switching gears within the realm of WWE Raw, the anticipation surges for the perpetuation of Rhea Ripley (c) versus Raquel Rodriguez for the prestigious women’s championship, alongside the simmering rivalry between Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus, unjustly relegated from the SummerSlam spotlight. Lynch’s triumph over Zoey Stark ushers her into the realm of a Stratus rematch, while Rodriguez nurses the desire for retaliation against Ripley, who ruthlessly assailed Rodriguez’s tag team partner, Liv Morgan. With the afterglow of SummerSlam casting its illumination, the canvas of WWE Raw may also witness the influx of fresh NXT talents, including the likes of Bron Breakker, Roxanne Perez, Wes Lee, and Cora Jade.
Steering attention to the notion of Big E’s reemergence, a formidable plotline unfurls as he charts a course to confront Gunther on the road to WWE PayBack 2023.
Marked on the calendar for August 7, 2023, WWE Raw is poised to grace the airwaves of the USA Network, serving as the arena for Big E’s comeback, poised to lock horns with Gunther on the path to PayBack. The amphitheater for this showdown is none other than the Target Center, nestled within the confines of Minneapolis, Minnesota—sacred ground that claims allegiance to both Brock Lesnar and Chad Gable. Emerging from the shadows, Chad Gable explicitly voices his ambitions, yearning for a shot at the IC Title, envisioning his trajectory once his clash with Drew McIntyre concludes at SummerSlam. The ember of their feud ignited when Gunther dared Gable to endure five minutes within the squared circle, an encounter that transpired just last week on Raw. The tantalizing prospect looms that they might cross swords for the coveted IC Title on this very episode, exploiting Gable’s hometown advantage to muster a chorus of fervent cheers from the crowd. The stage seems set for heart-stopping near falls and edge-of-the-seat climaxes, an electrifying dance of athleticism and skill against Gunther.
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Nonetheless, reality tempers the grandiose dreams of any fervent devotee and underscores the inevitability that Gable will not depose Gunther, particularly with Gunther tantalizingly close to eclipsing Honky Tonk Man’s longstanding record. The authentic threat that looms large against Gunther’s reign comes embodied in the form of Big E, a figure whose presence has been an epicenter of speculative fervor. Whispers carried the scent of a pivotal plan awaiting Big E’s resurgence, reigniting the smoldering feud between New Day and Imperium, culminating in a triumphant title victory over Gunther, thereby ascending to the throne of the Intercontinental Champion.
With this prospect in the spotlight, Big E holds the potential to infuse a distinct vitality into Raw’s mid-card sphere. Amidst the absence of anticipated returns at SummerSlam, conjecture finds a foothold suggesting WWE may have intentionally reserved these grand comebacks for the aftermath of the colossal event. It’s possible that Big E’s reentrance could shatter the confines of expectations, accompanied by the triumphant return of his comrades, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. This triumvirate might daringly summon Gunther to a dreamlike contest for the IC Title—an emblem that signified Big E’s earliest conquest within WWE’s realm. Beyond the resonance of a magnificent return, this endeavor could serve as an apt solace for the abrupt relinquishment of the WWE Title.
Yet, the narrative’s resonance transcends the immediate spectacle. The IC Title’s newfound prestige, an accolade diligently polished by Gunther’s stewardship, can be harnessed as a beacon guiding Big E’s reascension into the upper echelons of main event contention, a realm he undoubtedly deserves to inhabit. And who’s to say what the future holds? Perhaps the uncharted horizon might see Big E crossing paths with Goldberg in a confrontation of epic proportions, a wish long harbored by both parties. Goldberg’s quest for a farewell clash converges with Big E’s aspirations, envisioning a timeless 30-minute magnum opus. WWE Raw this week unfurls its narrative tapestry, brimming with infinite possibilities. All hinges on WWE’s ability to deliver upon this promising tableau.
Amidst the rumor mill’s fervent churn, murmurs abound that spine specialists have championed a cautious route, advocating for Big E’s reentry into the squared circle while confining his engagement to the commentary booth. Yet, amidst this labyrinth of conjecture, Big E cast his presence on the stage of Family Feud alongside fellow WWE luminaries, and his attendance at SummerSlam stood as a testament to his yearning engagement. Echoes from his own mouth resonate with the assurance of restoration, attesting that he stands at 100% following his debilitating neck injury. A tantalizing threshold beckons, as Big E’s proximity to a ring return is unparalleled. Hope gleams, albeit tenuously, illuminating the path for a potential renaissance within the squared circle. The faithful spectators remain captive in this saga, held rapt by the unfolding chapters that remain cloaked in the mists of uncertainty.
