WWE Raw: Potential Spoilers, Rumors, News and Preview for October 12

The Oct. 12 edition of WWE Raw is not guaranteed to feature the creativity and narrative risk-taking that the show needs to rejuvenate itself, but it is assured an impassioned crowd.

As WWE heads to Chicago, it will be welcomed by one of the loudest, most ardent fanbases today. Those fans will watch on as the company tries to pull Raw out of its current ratings sinkhole and elevate interest in Hell in a Cell.

WWE may have to do that minus two marquee stars, though. Despite Brock Lesnar and Undertaker headlining the upcoming pay-per-view, neither gladiator is advertised. The tag team champs and the women's division are poised to grab some spotlight instead.

Backstage reports and Anthony Benigno's five-point preview on WWE.com offer a glimpse into what fans could see on the latest leg of the road to Hell in a Cell.

News, Potential Spoilers

Should John Cena call out the locker room, looking for a new challenger for his United States Championship, a certain narcissist from NXT may answer the call.

PWInsider.com's Mike Johnson reported that "NXT star Tyler Breeze is on the road working the St. Louis and Bloomington, Illinois, live events this weekend." While there is no information suggesting that Breeze is scheduled for Raw, the fact that he is traveling with the main roster means he may be available to plug in on Monday night.

Whether it's Prince Pretty or someone else who comes after his belt, Cena hinted strongly that another U.S. title open challenge is on the way:

Credit: WWE.com

The challenge for Paige will be to start winning and being one of the top Divas once more. Should she drop another match, however, it reportedly won't be due to WWE disciplining her.

When Paige submitted to Natalya last week, many wondered if the company was using the defeat to teach Paige a lesson. According to the Wrestling Observer (h/t Wrestle Zone), Paige is not being punished for using the F-word on a Facebook video Q&A. Her booking is going on as planned.

It looks like Paige showing up in Chicago is a safer bet than the two monsters set to headline Hell in a Cell appearing on Monday. Dave Meltzer noted on F4WOnline.com that neither Lesnar nor Paul Heyman are advertised.

As for those talents billed for Monday night, James Caldwell of Pro Wrestling Torch listed the following superstars as set to appear in Chicago: Cena, Seth Rollins, The Dudley Boyz, Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, Kevin Owens, The New Day, Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper.

The March to Hell in a Cell Continues

New Ways for The New Day

At the end of last Monday's Raw, fans saw a more serious, more aggressive and more traditionally heel version of The New Day. It dragged a lifeless Dolph Ziggler onto the entrance ramp before Big E's bout with Cena and laid out everyone within striking distance afterward.

Is this behavior a temporary departure from the group's goofball tendencies or a lasting shift in character? The five-point preview hinted at the latter.

Benigno wrote, "Safe to say their glory tour isn't done just yet, and they won't be so easily underestimated now."

WWE has its work cut out for itself in striking the balance between keeping Big E and company entertaining and having them be fearsome threats as well. How that dynamic plays out will be one of the bigger items to keep an eye on.

The Summer Lingers 

Don't count on a respite from the soap-operatic story featuring Summer Rae, Rusev and Ziggler. It looks like Summer's proposal will come into play moving forward.

Last week, Rusev said he would only marry his long-legged love interest if he had gold around his waist.

That could well mean that Summer will work to make sure that happens. Possibly foreshadowing Summer amping up her interference, Benigno asked, "Will she find a way to insert herself into Rusev's matches going forward to expedite the process?"

The Boss

It appears WWE is treating momentum on the main roster as wholly separate from what happens at NXT.

The last two NXT women's title bouts have ended with Bayley celebrating and Banks empty-handed. Still, the focus on the WWE.com preview for Raw was on Banks' wins on Raw and SmackDown, of which Benigno wrote, "Will The Boss continue her winning ways?"

In the crowded women's division, Banks has been protected for the most part.

She's forced Nikki Bella to tap out twice in a short span. She and Team B.A.D. have won four straight tag matches, and the former NXT women's champ is now 7-2-1 in her last 10 non-NXT contests, per CageMatch.net.

That sure smells like WWE is looking to position her for a chase at the title at some point. The only question is whether that shot is coming at Hell in a Cell, with her getting added to Charlotte vs. Nikki. Monday's Raw will do a lot to answer that.

No Hibernation for the Giant

After two collisions with Lesnar left Big Show out cold, he looks to be getting back to his feet and readying his fist for another target altogether.

Benigno wrote, "The reigning Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner has some steam to regain, so who's going to be staring down his hubcap-sized fist come Monday?"

Credit: WWE.com

If Big Show was going to step away for a while, WWE wouldn't feature him on the five-point preview like that. With Lesnar moving on to Undertaker, The World's Largest Athlete is sans rival. WWE still has two weeks to name him a new foe and cobble together a quick feud for the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view.

As often as Cesaro has fallen to the big man of late, it wouldn't be surprising if he's the one who steps up to Big Show.

Revenge for Rollins?

Kane has played the the two-faced monster chasing down the champ. Is it time for Rollins to strike back?

Benigno hinted that it might be when he asked, "Can The Architect land a shot of his own as Hell in a Cell draws nearer?"

WWE has some work to do in increasing interest for this bout. This feels like a midcard angle disguised as a world title feud.

Having Rollins bare his fangs and leave Kane writhing on the floor would both create some sympathy for the babyface and help boost the champion's lackluster momentum.

With Rollins poised to attack, The New Day continuing its dastardly ways and Big Show going on the warpath, Monday's Raw looks to be a celebration of WWE's heels. The company has to be hoping that going in that direction, as well as the electricity of the Chicago crowd, gets Raw's ratings going upward again.