Every week, WWE releases so much televised content that it can be a little overwhelming to sort through. Luckily, we publish a preview every week of what WWE has to offer from Monday Night Raw to 205 Live to Pay-Per-Views. This week is perhaps WWE’s biggest week until WrestleMania. Not only are there the Royal Rumble and NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia Pay-Per-Views, but this week also hosts the 25th Anniversary episode of Monday Night Raw.
Monday Night Raw (1.22.18)
This week, Monday Night Raw celebrates its 25th Anniversary. This special celebratory episode will feature tons of wrestling legends from Trish Stratus to Stone Cold Steve Austin. Expect a huge trip down memory lane while also featuring some good matches.
Here is a list of every legend to appear at Raw tonight:
- Stone Cold Steve Austin
- The Undertaker
- Chris Jericho
- D-Generation X
- Trish Stratus
- Torrie Wilson
- Jim Ross
- Jerry Lawler
- Jacqueline
- The Dudley Boyz
- Christian
- Ric Flair
- Maria Kanellis
- Scott Hall
- The Bella Twins
- The New Age Outlaws
- Eric Bischoff
- Terri Runnels
- Ron Simmons
- JBL
- Kelly Kelly
- The Godfather
- The Brooklyn Brawler
- Michelle McCool
- Brother Love
- Boogeyman
- Teddy Long
- The Million Dollar Man
- John Laurinaitis
- Harvey Wippleman
- Lilian Garcia
- Jonathan Coachman
- MVP
- William Regal
- Howard Finkel
Along with these legends, some SmackDown personnel will be on the show, too. From Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan to most of the show’s champions (AJ Styles, Charlotte Flair, The Usos), SmackDown will have a sizable representation on tonight’s episode. The Undertaker and John Cena will also be there and there are rumors that tonight could set up for a WrestleMania match between the two icons.
Most importantly, there is a huge match taking place tonight. After losing the Intercontinental Championship to Roman Reigns a couple months ago, The Miz finally gets his contractually obligated rematch and a chance to become an eight-time Intercontinental Champion.
SmackDown Live (1.23.18)
With Raw being absolutely huge this week, SmackDown seems like nothing in comparison. The only confirmed match for this week’s show is Rusev Day taking on the Ascension, which was announced in an online-only episode of the Fashion Files.
WWE Mixed Match Challenge (1.23.18)
Last week saw a pretty successful debut of the Mixed Match Challenge when the team of Finn Balor and Sasha Banks defeated Shinsuke Nakamura and Natalya in the first round. This series has a refreshing vibe to it compared to Raw and SmackDown and this week it continues. The second match in the tournament takes place right after SmackDown, pitting The Miz and Asuka against Big E and Carmella.
205 Live (1.23.18)
Like SmackDown, expect nothing from 205 Live this week. Enzo Amore defends the Cruiserweight Championship against Cedric Alexander at the Royal Rumble so this episode might be buying time. However, the just came off of a surprisingly successful house show tour.
WWE NXT (1.24.18)
NXT always finds a way to make its last episode before a TakeOver event interesting and this week continues that trend. Johnny Gargano is scheduled to take on Andrade “Cien” Almas for the NXT Championship at TakeOver: Philadelphia. To silence his doubters, he is going to prove he is not a fluke by putting that opportunity on the line against the Velveteen Dream.
NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia (1.27.18)
Like every Pay-Per-View, there will be a fully detailed preview of NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia in the coming days. For now, here is the match card as of this writing:
- Aleister Black vs. Adam Cole – Extreme Rules Match
- Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly (c) vs. The Authors of Pain – NXT Tag Team Championships
- Ember Moon (c) vs. Shayna Baszler – NXT Women’s Championship
- Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Johnny Gargano or Velveteen Dream – NXT Championship
Royal Rumble (1.28.18)
Just like NXT TakeOver: Philadephia, there will be a complete preview (with predictions) of the 2018 Royal Rumble event later this week. Highlights for this event include the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble and Brock Lesnar defending the Universal Championship in a Triple Threat match. Below is the full match card.
- Enzo Amore (c) vs. Cedric Alexander – WWE Cruiserweight Championship
- The Usos (c) vs. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin – SmackDown Tag Team Championships (2 Out of 3 Falls Match)
- Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan (c) vs. Sheamus & Cesaro – Raw Tag Team Championships
- Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Braun Strowman vs. Kane – WWE Universal Championship
- AJ Styles (c) vs. Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens – WWE Championship
- Women’s Royal Rumble Match
- Men’s Royal Rumble Match
