WWE Raw: Potential Spoilers, Rumors, News and Preview for March 9

All eyes will be on Brock Lesnar on the March 9 edition of WWE Raw.

After the world champ didn't appear two weeks ago on a show he was advertised for and reportedly getting in an argument with Vince McMahon backstage, per F4WOnline (h/t Wrestling Inc), uncertainty about his WWE future lingers. Does he storm into the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, or does a contract dispute have him no-show again?

That's a key story to keep an eye on. Backstage reports from around the Internet and James Wortman's "Five-Point Preview" on WWE.com shed light on the situation and provide a look at what to expect Monday night.

WWE has to also continue to construct and hype the WrestleMania 31 card. Triple H will assert his dominance, Cena will fight for his second crack at Rusev, and Bray Wyatt will continue to try to lure The Undertaker from the shadows.

A rapper from the Steel City will make his presence felt as well.

Wiz on His Way

WWE follows a guest appearance from Jon Stewart with one from rapper Wiz Khalifa.

The company announced his arrival via Twitter and released a video hyping his arrival:

The Pittsburgh native is a BET and Billboard Music Award winner. He'll certainly be more relevant to WWE's demographic than Hoda and Kathie Lee but has little chance as being as well received as Stewart was last week.

News, Potential Spoilers

As PWInsider's Mike Johnson notes, "The big question going into the taping is whether Brock Lesnar has resolved his issues with WWE management and if he will be appearing tonight as scheduled."

All signs point to yes. For one, Paul Heyman promised on last week's Raw that Lesnar would in fact be competing at WrestleMania. That's not something WWE is likely to have him do unless it's confident everything concerning The Beast Incarnate is set going forward. 

WWE then reported on its official website, "Sources have confirmed that The Beast Incarnate will be appearing live on Raw, emanating from Pittsburgh’s CONSOL Energy Center."

Credit: WWE.com

In addition, Wortman asks in that same section of his preview, "Will we witness an altercation between Reigns and the WWE World Heavyweight Champion Monday night?"

That certainly feels like a tease of the champ showing up. If the company was still battling it out with Lesnar backstage, it would more likely just focus on other stories in the meantime.

Still, until Lesnar's music hits and the camera points his way, fans watching won't be sure what to expect.

The Pro Wrestling Torch's James Caldwell notes that the following Superstars are advertised for Monday's show in addition to Lesnar: Roman Reigns, Cena, Rusev, Daniel Bryan, Curtis Axel, Bray Wyatt, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Kane and Big Show.

A rarely seen performer won't be joining them. Hornswoggle tweeted that he just underwent shoulder surgery:

Pittsburgh fans may witness Bad News Barrett hunting down his title again. It looks as the game of hot potato with the Intercontinental Championship is still on and that Stardust will be the one wearing it come Monday.

Stardust claims to be have the title in tow:

The 2015 Hall of Fame class could grow by one big man on Monday's Raw. Word of Alundra Blayze's upcoming induction emerged last week. It could now be Big Daddy Cool's turn.

Johnson reports for PWInsider, "The belief among those I've spoken to is that Kevin Nash will be the next announced WWE Hall of Famer."

There's a chance that Mick Foley may have his own big announcement. He seemed to be teasing so with what might be a tongue-in-cheek tweet:

It's not clear whether he is just fooling around here or if there is indeed something "huge" on the horizon. With WrestleMania not far away, it's certainly believable that WWE has plans for him whether Monday or beyond.

Onward to WrestleMania

Axel already has a WrestleMania match lined up. He's campaigning to get a second.

He wants a crack at Rusev for the United States Championship. To earn that, he aims to first knock off the powerhouse in non-title action on Monday's Raw.

In his Raw preview, Wortman hints at that bout coming to fruition, saying, "Will Rusev agree to battle Axel, giving the ambitious and arguably delusional leader of the AxelMania movement a chance to make history?"

Credit: WWE.com

And even as much as WWE is teasing the possibility of Rusev not accepting Cena's challenge, the expectation is for The Bulgarian Brute to give in at some point. The only question is what will make that happen.

Wortman writes, "What powers of persuasion will the 15-time World Champion employ to change The Super Athlete's mind?"  

Count on that narrative being a significant part of the show. Cena's star power will provide him ample airtime as usual.

As for the expected showdown between Wyatt and Undertaker, the story has been a one-sided one so far. The Eater of Worlds has done his best to rile up Undertaker, most recently by claiming on Thursday's SmackDown to have The Deadman's urn in his possession.

PWInsider previously reported that WWE doesn't plan to have Undertaker appear until WrestleMania. He could, though, accept Wyatt's challenge via video.

Wortman writes, "The Phenom might have no choice but to re-emerge from oblivion and battle The Eater of Worlds on The Grandest Stage of Them All."

Just as it's unlikely that The Deadman will show up in Pittsburgh, Sting isn't a safe bet to waltz in. WWE has allowed Triple H to carry the bulk of that story, last week focusing on him being an abusive boss.

Triple H will be in the spotlight again. Wortman lays out WWE's options in regard to The Game, writing, "How will The Cerebral Assassin demonstrate his power this week? Will it involve settling the differences between Randy Orton and the rest of his Authority associates? Will more WWE employees suffer the COO’s wrath, temporarily or otherwise?"

All of those point to Triple H being a big part of Monday's Raw, a night designed to build toward WrestleMania. That will be an easier task with Lesnar in the building.