WWE Raw preview (Aug. 15, 2016): Final diagnosis

We’re on the Gulf of Mexico when Raw films in Corpus Christi, Texas tonight, so it’s at least possible someone’s going in the water.

The Headliner

Raw’s General Manager, Mick Foley, and SmackDown Live’s GM, Daniel Bryan, agreed the brand infiltration which quickly became a defining characteristic of Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton’s SummerSlam program could not continue.

Which means there is absolutely, 100% no way it happens tonight, right?

Last Monday night, the one only person who “invaded” from the blue brand was Bryan, but the Beast and the Viper had lots to say about each other in pre-taped interviews. Well, Brock had a few things to say about how Orton was essentially a nobody while Randy said he was “kill the legend of Brock Lesnar” started when he ended Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak... but you know what we mean.

Tonight, Lesnar and his advocate Paul Heyman return to Raw to put the finishing touches on this pay-per-view (PPV) build. Surely there’s no chance of a RKO, from no or elsewhere...

The Title Scene

Seth Rollins is like a lot of NXT fans. They think Finn Bálor’s entrance is cool and admire his dedication to costuming and make-up for major events, but still think it’s just an Irish guy in red & black make-up. But last week, Finn did (finally) claim changing his appearance actually enhances his abilities. So with their WWE Universal championship match just days away, the Architect is calling out the Demon King.

He may have showed up in Australia, but in the on-screen story, Big E is still recovering from his contusion (aka ringpostitis) at home. Last week, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows almost gave Kofi Kingston a case of the same. How will Kofi and his healthly New Day partner Xavier Woods prepare to defend their Tag Team titles against The Club with this epidemic threatening to spread through their rank?

With a win over Dana Brooke last week, Women’s champ Sasha Banks assured herself an honest-to-goodness one-on-one match against Charlotte in Brooklyn this weekend. Hopefully now we can focus on just the two ladies battling for the belt.

All Lana & Rusev wanted to do was celebrate their wedding for the 43rd time. But then the Super Athlete’s challenger for the United States championship, Roman Reigns, had to come along and ruin everything. Now, RuRu is fighting for more than just a chance to rub it in American’s stupid face - he wants revenge for the Big Dog rubbing his wife’s face in wedding cake.

Other stuff to keep an eye on:

- While others debate whether or not Enzo Amore & Big Cass’ we being S.T.A.R.s in their promo against their SummerSlam opponents last week, JericKO is plotting strategy to shut those stupid idiots up.

- Meanwhile, Sami Zayn is trying to figure out how his reward for beating Kevin Owens at Battleground turned into having the next PPV off.

- Bob Backlund’s plan to make Darren Young great again is not above to responding in kind to some cheating, as Titus O’Neil found out last week.

- The Golden Truth will probably be playing some kind of Scooby Doo game on their phone tonight. Wackiness will ensue.

- Local talent beware... Braun Strowman & Nia Jax are in town.

- After cashing in the title shot he won the week before, Cesaro was unable to claim the red, white and blue title from Rusev thanks to interference from his rival, Sheamus. Pre-show here they come!

It’s the SummerSlam go-home!

What will you be looking for on Raw tonight?