WWE Raw: Burning Questions to Address After June 20 Show

Sunday's WWE Money in the Bank 2016 pay-per-view was a show rife with controversy and historical significance, ensuring that the following night's episode of WWE Raw would not only be must-see television but would leave fans with plenty of burning questions to be asked as Battleground approaches on July 24.

The first concerns Roman Reigns, whose frustration over once again losing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship showed itself in the unlikeliest of ways. Perhaps it is an indication of the direction in which the character will head as WWE prepares for its upcoming brand extension.

The New Day interrupted The Wyatt Family's return, igniting a program between the factions and at the same time drawing concerns about both the comical element of the babyfaces and the horrifying seriousness of the returning villains.

And finally, Dean Ambrose will defend his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Reigns and Seth Rollins at Battleground in a match officially announced by Shane McMahon. However, timing could prove troublesome for one of WWE's few remaining big-money matches.

1. Is the much-anticipated Roman Reigns heel turn imminent?

Credit: WWE.com

On Sunday night at Money in the Bank, Reigns worked his match with Rollins as a heel.

There is no arguing that he was the cocky, arrogant champion overwhelming Rollins' resilient underdog. Everything from the way he carried himself to the manner in which the resourceful Rollins overcame the unstoppable champion suggests that in the layout of that match, Reigns was absolutely the bad guy.

Fast-forward to Raw and a single line that suggests fans may be seeing the heel side of The Big Dog that they have begged WWE for since the shattering of The Shield. Paraphrasing, Reigns told fans to sit down, sip their beer and shut up—something a lead babyface in Vince McMahon's company would never do.

Finally, later in the night, he was again the aggressor in the match with Rollins, suggesting there may be fire to go along with the smoke.

If Reigns does manage to execute a heel turn ahead of the upcoming WWE draft, it would undoubtedly throw things into disarray. On the surface, it appeared as though he would be the top babyface on one show, while John Cena headlined the other. That may no longer be the case, especially if he is to assume the role of a villain.

The fact of the matter is that Reigns desperately needs to change. The great babyface push failed to gain traction with an audience that refused to accept him in that role.

Why continue to beat a dull drum? Make the change, try it out and see how he adapts.

An explosive heavyweight performer who worked the style very effectively on Sunday night, Reigns could finally find the success at the top of the card that management has so desperately hoped for and tried to manufacture for him.

2. Is a New Day feud the best use of The Wyatt Family upon its return?

Credit: WWE.com

On Monday night, Bray Wyatt, Erick Rowan and Braun Strowman made their returns to WWE programming and were greeted by a phenomenal ovation by the fans in Phoenix. "Welcome back" chants permeated the arena, and Bray played to them, asking if the audience missed him.

There was a sparkle in The Reaper of Souls' eye, one that renewed his confidence that, yes, he does have a connection with the audience and, yes, it did miss him during his hiatus.

Then The New Day interrupted in one of the more puzzling booking choices of the night.

There was no previous issue between the two. There was no reason for Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Big E to make their presence felt. Instead, it felt forced, and more importantly, the two acts do not appear to mesh whatsoever.

The New Day, as excellent as it has been, is a comedy-based act. It gets over because of its over-the-top antics and pop culture-based humor. It is energetic and funny, while The Wyatt Family is dangerous, captivating and entirely serious.

Having Big E point out the size of Rowan's booty is not the way to reintroduce Wyatt and Co. as a serious threat to anything or anyone. Woods' appearing to be in a trance was a comical and cartoonish way to inject a new element to The Wyatt Family that will generate laughs and groans more than increase fear.

While the talent is there and both factions are hellishly over, the dynamic will be a tricky one to work with and might not necessarily be worth it.

3. Is it too early for The Shield's Triple Threat match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship?

Credit: WWE.com

When Ambrose beat Rollins (who had just beaten Reigns) for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, fans almost immediately recognized that a Triple Threat match between the former Shield members was on the horizon.

With SummerSlam only two months away, the grand stage in Brooklyn, New York, would be the natural place for this war. WWE has very few big-money matches of this sort at present, so it would be the perfect headliner for the summertime spectacular.

Instead, Shane McMahon announced at the end of Raw that the contest will take place at C-level pay-per-view Battleground, a show notorious for its general lack of quality over the last three years.

Is WWE rushing what should be a marquee match at one of its most important extravaganzas simply because the upcoming draft will dictate that three Superstars end up on separate brands? Probably, but why go through the trouble of teasing fans with such an epic encounter, only to rush it onto a meaningless show because WWE Creative mismanaged time?

The contest deserves the spotlight that comes along with a show like SummerSlam, as do the men involved.

Putting things into perspective, every WWE World Heavyweight Championship match since the Royal Rumble in January 2015 has featured either Reigns, Rollins or Ambrose, supporting claims by all three from back in their days as The Shield that they would dominate the industry.

They have dominated headlines, stolen shows and proved that there aren't three young stars more prepared to lead WWE now and in the future. Their work speaks for itself, and their resumes are those of bona fide headliners.

Tossing their long-awaited battle on an afterthought of a pay-per-view like Battleground is disrespectful to them and the fans who have watched their journeys to sports-entertainment greatness.

Yes, it is too early. Unfortunately, though, it is what it is.