WWE Raw: Burning Questions to Address After August 1 Show

After a stunning first week of Raw under Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon, the brand delivered an August 1 show that continued to build on the foundation the Superstars laid seven days earlier, leaving viewers with a couple of burning questions in the process.

One involves a talented crop of competitors who, despite the draft's promise to freshen things up, appear trapped in the mangled mess that is the midcard. The possibility of main event pushes for Kevin Owens, Cesaro and Sami Zayn had fans salivating, but to this point, those possibilities have not become reality.

Another revolves around the man who once appeared poised to rip the franchise tag away from John Cena and spend years at the top of WWE. Now, Roman Reigns appears set to battle Rusev over the United States Championship in a match guaranteed to be the fifth- or sixth-most important on the SummerSlam card.

How do those questions affect your favorite Superstars, and what do they mean for Raw going forward?

1. Will the draft ultimately help Cesaro, Kevin Owens or Sami Zayn?

It may only be two weeks into WWE's most recent attempt at a brand extension, but a trend is developing that should have fans of Owens, Cesaro and Zayn concerned.

Neither of those three men has experienced anything even remotely close to career growth despite rosters so thin that management recruited Jinder Mahal for a return. Zayn delivered another great performance against Seth Rollins but lost. Cesaro wrestled Sheamus in a battle of Superstars stuck on a treadmill of sorts.

Then there is Owens, who is apparently gearing up for a tag team feud with Enzo Amore and Big Cass if Monday's show is any indication.

Those three Superstars should have been featured prominently right out of the gate—and they may still. As of now, though, WWE Creative continues to show a blatant ignorance when it comes to using those three performers and their considerable talents effectively.

2. Is Roman Reigns' push permanently on hold, or is the feud with Rusev merely a stopgap?

The massive push of Roman Reigns as the new face of WWE came to an abrupt end the moment he violated the company's wellness policy and wound up suspended for 30 days. Disenfranchised with the competitor he put so much time and effort into, Vince McMahon booked him to be beaten cleanly in two straight matches.

Now unprotected, Reigns enters a program with Rusev in which there is no guarantee he'll emerge victorious.

Fans of the former Shield member should not be concerned, though. Reigns is still heavily promoted in touring materials and will wear the WWE Universal Championship belt in the near future. Just as Triple H did during his punishment phase in 1996, Reigns will have to atone for his mistake and prove that he will not waver in his devotion to the product.

Once that happens, Reigns will re-enter the main event scene, with or without the United States Championship that The Bulgarian Brute currently holds.