NXT Call-Ups and 6 Sure-Fire Predictions for WWE's Post-WrestleMania 41 Raw

Just as exciting as the potential of both nights of WWE WrestleMania 41 is the hype surrounding the subsequent edition of Raw, also emanating from Las Vegas following WrestleMania weekend.

Historically, it's been where WWE has hit the reset button creatively and essentially started afresh. That includes wrapping up certain storylines and bidding farewell to departing stars while welcoming new ones and setting the tone for the year to come.

Mankind and Brock Lesnar were among the biggest names to have debuted on the post-WrestleMania Raw before the show became an annual staple on the WWE calendar. Between 2011 and 2019, there were multiple instances of the episode overshadowing 'Mania weekend itself, specifically if the event failed to deliver.

The pandemic unfortunately ended that tradition due to the lack of fans in the audience in 2020 and 2021, and the post-WrestleMania Raw hasn't been able to reach those same heights since.

Last year's installment featuring The Rock's confrontation with Cody Rhodes, a John Cena cameo and NXT upstarts in action was the closest WWE came to recapturing the magic of the post-WrestleMania Raw episodes of old.

From NXT call-ups and returns to breakups and betrayals, the fallout from WrestleMania 41 promises to be must-see. The following six sure-fire predictions would make the always-anticipated edition that much more memorable.

Roxanne Perez and Trick Williams Join the Raw Roster

It's imperative that Roxanne Perez and Trick Williams are among the influx of NXT stars to the main roster following WrestleMania 41, especially considering they have both long outgrown the developmental brand.

Perez could have been called up two years ago when she lost her NXT Women's Championship the first time over WrestleMania 39 weekend. But she stuck around for an extra two years so she could regain the gold and have a much stronger second run with it, in addition to further fleshing out her character as a heel.

The Prodigy is as bright a prospect as they come, as evidenced by her stellar showings in the women's Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber matches earlier this year.

She abruptly disappeared from programming despite her feud with Bayley not having a proper conclusion, so it would be logical for her to debut on the post-WrestleMania Raw to rekindle that rivalry and send The Role Model packing for a bit with an attack angle.

As for Williams, he's solidified his spot as the face of NXT this past year with his runs as NXT champion and undeniable connection with the crowd.

He's shown more of an edge of late that could see him stay put for a little longer as a heel, but Raw is ultimately where he belongs given he has nothing left to prove or accomplish on NXT.

Asuka Returns from Injury

Asuka has been off WWE TV for so long that many fans may have forgotten she is indeed on her way back sooner rather than later.

Per Fightful Select, WWE started to put creative plans in place for her in January. Although there's been no indication in recent weeks that she'll be resurfacing imminently, it's possible she's staying quiet to ensure a post-WrestleMania Raw return is kept a surprise.

The Empress of Tomorrow was last seen at Backlash 2024 losing the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship to Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. Damage CTRL has continued on without her, though her absence has been felt both in the group and the Raw women's division.

In her time away, WWE has introduced the Women's Intercontinental Championship to the red brand. Lyra Valkyria is in need of more credible challengers, and Asuka would be the perfect fit for the role.

She should make her intentions clear the moment she returns by targeting either Valkyria or whoever walks out of WrestleMania with the Women's World Championship, another piece of hardware she has yet to hold.

Jey Uso's Grand Championship Celebration

All signs point to Jey Uso finally conquering the seemingly unstoppable Gunther at WrestleMania 41 to clinch the World Heavyweight Championship.

More thrilling than the match itself will be the visual of Uso celebrating his title win afterward with the tens of thousands of fans in attendance at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. That Yeet frenzy should, of course, carry over into Monday's Raw.

Uso may not be the most dynamic performer between the ropes, but he's among the most over Superstars in WWE for a reason. He's created such a strong bond with the audience since branching out as a singles star and that isn't expected to die down once he's world champ.

There will be a time and a place for Uso's first challenger to emerge. It could well be on that episode, or it might be the night when Gunther attempts to seek revenge and spoil the celebration.

Before any of that, Uso should have the chance to reap the rewards with what will be one of WWE's biggest and hottest domestic crowds of the year.

A-Town Down Under Finally Split

Fans have been projecting the demise of A-Town Down Under for well over a year now, and it's high time WWE pulls the trigger on a turn for one of them and cements their split.

It may feel out of the blue considering their lack of television time in 2025, but the post-WrestleMania Raw is as good a time as any for them to go their separate ways at long last.

They briefly feuded with Jey Uso on the Road to WrestleMania, but prior to that, they were at odds over the NXT Championship with Oba Femi at Vengeance Day in February. Both were unsuccessful in their pursuit of the title and teased even more tension during their Triple Threat.

Theory has been a heel for his entire time on the main roster and may have upside as a babyface, while Waller would be a fine foil for him as a heel. The two reigned as WWE tag team champions for a few months last year and have hit their ceiling in that division.

There's no guarantee either will excel on their own, but at least they can finally branch off into singles competition instead of sitting on the sidelines and treading water as a tandem.

Rusev Returns

Rusev Day is nearly upon us once again in WWE.

The three-time United States champion was one of the biggest victims of start-and-stop pushes under Vince McMahon during six-year stint with the company on the main roster, eventually costing him his career there in April 2020.

It wasn't long before Rusev, rechristened as Miro, landed on his feet in All Elite Wrestling, completely reinventing himself as “The Best Man” to Kip Sabian. His singles run as The Redeemer with the AEW TNT Championship the subsequent summer was the peak of his stint in the promotion.

Per PWInsider, he's expected back in the WWE fold imminently after being granted his release from AEW earlier this year. He hasn't laced up his boots for a match on television since the Worlds End pay-per-view at the close of 2024.

Vignettes presumed to be for Aleister Black's return have been airing on SmackDown for weeks, and Rey Fenix also recently ended up on the blue brand, so Rusev on Raw would be the strongest fit.

There's no word on what he'll be doing exactly, but he should be a force to be reckoned with on Monday nights, starting on the post-WrestleMania edition.

The Judgment Day Exile Finn Balor

There has been dissension within the ranks of The Judgment Day for many months now, which should only escalate if and when Dominik Mysterio captures the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 41.

Finn Balor hasn't been able to win a match that matters in what feels like forever and thus there's no reason for the group to keep him around.

Similar to how the stable betrayed Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest at SummerSlam 2024, Balor should suffer the same fate one night removed from 'Mania on Raw.

The former intercontinental and United States champion had one of the most shocking heel turns of the last decade when he joined The Judgment Day in 2022 and exiled Edge, who had been positioned as the leader of the dark stable up to that point.

Balor being excommunicated in the same fashion would be poetic justice for his character, this time with Mysterio's squeeze, Liv Morgan, pulling the strings.

There have been subtle teases for the return of Balor's “demon” alter ego in recent Raw backstage segments with The Judgment Day. Building to the Irishman vs. Mysterio for the intercontinental title with babyface Balor bringing back The Demon should be the endgame of the angle.

The Judgment Day has been on its last legs for some time now, and kicking out Balor on the post-WrestleMania Raw would mark the beginning of an overdue chapter for the faction.

Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, has specialized in sports and entertainment writing since 2010. Visit his website, WrestleRant, and subscribe to his YouTube channel for more wrestling-related content.