WWE Raw: Potential Spoilers, Rumors, News and Preview for August 1

For one night, Atlanta will morph into Suplex City as Brock Lesnar storms back onto WWE Raw. The Beast Incarnate is set to return to the show that drafted him two weeks ago, making his first WWE appearance since overpowering Dean Ambrose at WrestleMania.

Lesnar will bring buzz to a show already rich with it. Last Monday, WWE kicked off the return to the brand split with a stellar edition of Raw.

Can WWE keep its momentum going? Can Finn Balor continue to impress as a key figure? What bouts will get added to the SummerSlam pay-per-view card?

These are the major questions awaiting answers as WWE heads to Atlanta's Philips Arena.

Backstage reports, the Raw preview on WWE.com and projecting current storyline arcs help figure out what Monday's show will look like. And fans won't have to wait long to see what's in store Lesnar, Balor, The New Day and the rest of the Raw roster. The USA Network will air all of the powerbombs and trash talk starting at 8 p.m. ET.

News, Potential Spoilers

Despite rumblings about an unresolved contract situation, Lesnar may have his advocate in tow when he shows up on Monday night.

PWInsider's Mike Johnson reported, "We are told Paul Heyman is scheduled for WWE TV and will be in Atlanta (if he isn't already, as he was spotted at an airport today in NYC) with Lesnar." 

This followed previous rumors of Heyman's deal being up and he and WWE still trying to work out a new contract. Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet reported, "We're told the two sides are expected to hammer everything out before SummerSlam." 

It now looks like that has happened with weeks to spare.

Titus O'Neil could be headed to Monday's Raw with a partner of his own. A new duo may be in the works.

Erika Goldring/Getty Images

On the latest edition of Superstars, O'Neil teamed up with Jack Swagger to take on The Dudley Boyz, per the Internet Wrestling Database. The fact that the babyfaces won that showdown is a possible sign that they will continue to team together.

And while SmackDown has gotten a head start on bringing back former WWE talent by welcoming Rhyno and Shelton Benjamin, Raw is reportedly set to add a familiar face of its own. Johnson reported for PWInsider, "Jinder Mahal, last seen as part of 3MB several years ago, has signed a deal to return and will be featured on the Raw brand."

It's not clear when the Mahal-WWE reunion will happen, but fans will be keeping an eye out for the former 3MB member every Monday night until he shows up.

Raw Streaks

Braun Strowman will not be stopped anytime soon. 

The powerhouse is in the early stages of what promises to be a lengthy winning streak. As of now, Strowman has won just three Raw matches in a row, per CageMatch.net, but expect that to balloon in the coming weeks.

WWE is apparently letting him feast on jobbers in order to build him up. Last Monday, Strowman swallowed up enhancement talent James Ellsworth. That's likely the start of a pattern for the big man.

Curtis Axel, dubbed "Mr. Irrelevant" last week, is poised to have a far less favorable fate. It looks as if WWE has given up on him.

As seen on his CageMatch.net profile, he has suffered 12 straight losses on Raw, interrupted only by a no-contest against Damien Sandow. Axel is in the midst of a 25-match winless streak. He last won on Raw with Ryback as his partner against Big E and Kofi Kingston on July 21, 2014.

At this point, Axel beating anyone would be a major upset.

SummerSlam Build Rolls On

Lesnar promises to be enraged and bloodthirsty, but the man he wants to tear apart won't be around.

Randy Orton has taken jabs at his SummerSlam opponent of late, including mocking his doping violation with UFC. The Viper, though, is now part of the SmackDown brand. Lesnar will have to punish someone else until the PPV rolls around.

The Raw preview hinted at Lesnar issuing chaos upon his return. It read, "Raw general manager Mick Foley will definitely have his hands full keeping the peace Monday night, when The Anomaly enters The New Era for the first time."

WWE also has a new bout to start hyping.

Sasha Banks dethroned Charlotte last week. The rematch is already set. John Clapp of WWE.com announced that Charlotte will take on The Boss for the women's title at SummerSlam.

Look for these two women to have plenty of animosity toward each other on every Monday until that clash. The company has to find a way to get folks pumped about this bout after already delivering the feel-good part of the story where Banks made it to the top of the mountain.

Another title match appears to be brewing between The Club and the tag team champs The New Day.

Last Monday, The New Day celebrated breaking the record for the longest reign with the current version of the tag belts. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson prematurely ended the festivities, attacking the popular trio.

The Raw preview said of the champ's next move, "Despite their penchant for fun and games, The New Day won't be joking around when it comes to their response to Gallows & Anderson's brutality this Monday night in Atlanta."

That would be the absolute right move. The New Day is at its best when it can merge intensity into his comedy-heavy act. 

Atlanta will also witness the early chapters of the Balor-Seth Rollins feud.

By winning two huge matches in his Raw debut, Balor earned the right to face The Architect at SummerSlam for the brand-new WWE Universal Championship. It's time now to insert Rollins into the story.

The Raw preview pointed toward him first coming after Balor on the microphone. It stated, "Expect to hear from Rollins this Monday night."

Last week, WWE compelled by taking risks, showcasing fresh faces and leaning on in-ring action over talking segments. Monday will be a good indication whether all that was just temporary or if those elements will be the cornerstones of the New Era.