WWE Monday Night Raw Preview: Spoiler-Free Look at Tonight's Episode (April 16)

It’s a rare occasion to see a taped edition of Monday Night Raw, but that’s exactly what we’re going to get tonight. 

The WWE taped this week’s episode earlier today at the O2 Arena in London, England, so for once, you’ll be able to know what happens on Raw before it actually airs. 

If you want to avoid the spoilers (and the results of the matches that come along with them), but still want to have an idea of what will go down on tonight’s Raw, though, then you’re in the right place. 

Here is a SPOILER-FREE preview of tonight’s Raw: 

No DQ/Countouts Match for the WWE Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Mark Henry 

What a way to start the show. 

For the third consecutive week, Punk puts his WWE title on the line against the World’s Strongest Man, but after the first two matches ended in a DQ and countout, respectively, that can’t happen as neither are allowed in tonight’s bout. 

Can Punk snap his losing streak against Henry, or will Henry prove to be too much for the WWE Champ? 

Chris Jericho Promo 

Punk’s archenemy, Chris Jericho, addresses Punk following his match against Henry. 

Is Punk still the WWE Champion? And what will Jericho have to say? 

United States Championship Match: Santino Marella (c) vs. David Otunga 

It seems like we’ve seen a lot more title matches under John Laurinaitis’s regime, and we’ll see another one tonight when Santino Marella defends his US Championship in a match against Laurinaitis’s right hand man, David Otunga. 

Josh Mathews’s Interview with Lord Tensai 

For the first time since debuting/return to Raw a couple of weeks ago, Lord Tensai speaks. 

It should be interesting to see what Tensai has to say and whether or not he addresses his previous stint in the WWE. 

Brock Lesnar Promo 

“The Next Big Thing” addresses his Extreme Rules opponent, John Cena. 

These two megastars are headed for a huge match at the WWE’s next pay-per-view, and after their locker room-emptying brawl last week, Lesnar takes aim at Cena. 

Kane vs. Zack Ryder 

The Big Red Monster heads over to Raw to take on Zack Ryder in a singles match. 

Ryder is looking to end his recent skid, while Kane is looking to build up more momentum after his attack on Randy Orton and “Cowboy” Bob Orton on last week’s Smackdown. 

Backstage Segment 

AJ and Kofi Kingston make an appearance, as does AJ’s former boyfriend, Daniel Bryan. 

What will happen when the two exes cross paths? 

In-Ring Promo from John Cena 

Cena comes out to the ring to address the live crowd. 

I can’t reveal too many details because I don’t want to spoil it for you, but let’s just say that a big announcement is made concerning next week’s Raw. 

Backstage Segment 

Hornswoggle and R-Truth appear. Oh joy. 

Kofi Kingston vs. Daniel Bryan 

The high-flying superstar battles the former World Heavyweight Champion in what should be an entertaining match. 

Come on, it’s Daniel “Yes” Bryan. 

Brodus Clay vs. Dolph Ziggler 

Clay started his rivalry with Ziggler when he saved Santino from an assault by Ziggler and Jack Swagger on Raw two weeks ago. 

After Clay and Santino bested Ziggler and Swagger in tag team action on last week’s Raw, Ziggler gets Clay one-on-one tonight. 

The Big Show and The Great Khali vs. Epico and Primo 

The Match of the Year, I’m sure. 

John Cena vs. A Mystery Opponent 

Cena faces a surprise superstar in Raw’s main event, a match set up earlier in the show. 

Who will the mystery opponent be?

Note: As part of the new WWE blog, I'll be asking all of the B/R wrestling readers for questions for a new mailbag that I will post on Fridays. It will be a slideshow featuring 10-to-20 questions and answers on a wide range of topics. You can submit questions either through Formspring or Twitter, and the best ones will be answered in the B/R mailbag.