WWE Raw: Potential Spoilers, Rumors, News and Preview for August 22

A coronation awaits The Demon King on the post-SummerSlam edition of WWE Raw. Finn Balor is set to lead the brand after he captured the WWE Universal Championship at Sunday's pay-per-view.

Monday's show will feature the aftereffects of the assaults and triumphs that comprised SummerSlam.

Raw's authority figures will have to respond to Brock Lesnar's savagery. Sasha Banks will have to pick herself up from the floor after dropping the Women's Championship. Rusev will have to fend off a snarling foe, bad ribs and all.

The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, will again play host after packing the house with NXT TakeOver and SummerSlam over the weekend. It's now Raw's turn to feature the famously raucous Brooklyn crowd.

Backstage reports, the Raw preview on WWE.com and current storyline arcs provide a look at what to expect when Monday's show airs on the USA Network starting at 8 p.m. ET.

News, Potential Spoilers

Balor emerged from SummerSlam as a champion, but it may be too painful for him to lift his newly won title above his head right now.

The recent NXT call-up was possibly injured during with his match with Seth Rollins. Mike Johnson of PWInsider wrote, "Sources indicate that Balor was sporting his right arm in a sling following the PPV. There is concern the injury is serious and could require surgery."

But as Johnson noted, Balor did not wear a sling during his appearance on Good Morning America on Monday.

Balor's activity level on Monday's Raw will make it much clearer how healthy he is at the moment. Chances are WWE will limit him to a speaking role for the night. 

Banks may be hurt, too. Johnson wrote that WWE decided to have The Boss drop the women's title to Charlotte in part to allow Banks "time off to recuperate." 

A back issue is reportedly bothering her. Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet reported, "Sources with direct knowledge tell us Sasha is scheduled for an evaluation with doctors at the beginning of September, due to pain she's dealing with in the lower lumbar section of her back."

The women's division already has fewer pieces to work with thanks to Paige's suspension. WWE announced last week that Paige will suffer a 30-day suspension for violating the company's talent wellness policy.

A little-seen heavyweight may provide WWE with a way to counteract that suspension and the reported injuries.

Pro Wrestling Torch's James Caldwell noted that Big Show is among those advertised for Monday's show. The big man hasn't competed on Raw since the Fourth of July.

Raw Streaks

Neville appears to be picking up steam.

The Man That Gravity Forgot teamed with Sami Zayn at SummerSlam to take down The Dudley Boyz, continuing his recent roll. 

Knocking off Jinder Mahal on last Monday's Raw marked Neville's fourth straight victory on Raw, per CageMatch.net. Should his partnership with Zayn continue, WWE would be smart to keep his momentum going. He's been underused since his arrival from NXT in 2015.

At least he's been getting airtime, though. Summer Rae can't say the same thing.

As seen on CageMatch.net, Rae hasn't wrestled on Raw since July 4. She has now missed six editions of Raw in a row. Paige's 30-day absence and Banks' possibly nursing a back injury could certainly the open the door for her to step into the spotlight again.

SummerSlam Fallout

Bad back or not, WWE looks to be moving forward with Banks' rivalry with Charlotte. After The Boss fell to Charlotte at SummerSlam and lost the Women's Championship, the WWE.com Raw preview asked, "How will she retaliate against Charlotte tonight?" 

WWE may play up Banks' injury on screen as part of this story. During the title bout, Charlotte attacked her back, leaving her foe favoring that area.

Rusev left SummerSlam in bad shape as well.

His United States Championship title bout with Roman Reigns never got underway. The challenger barreled into Rusev before the bell and injured his ribs in the process. 

Reigns showed a vicious side of himself during the attack. He may finally be undergoing his long-awaited heel turn. 

Lesnar issued destruction of his own. He left Randy Orton bloodied on the mat during their SummerSlam clash. 

Following the match, Lesnar continued to beat on Orton and floored SmackDown commissioner Shane McMahon. Punishment may now be in order.

Credit: WWE.com

The Raw preview asked, "How will The Beast Incarnate's horrific actions impact tonight's Raw, and how will commissioner Stephanie McMahon and general manager Mick Foley respond?"

McMahon and Foley will certainly also play a part in Balor's celebration. The Raw brand now has its world championship, and The Demon King is its first owner. 

Rollins, though, won't be in a congratulatory mood. His frustration about coming up short at SummerSlam is sure to boil over on Raw.

And the Raw preview promised appearances from both Balor and his rival. It stated, "We'll hear from him—and Rollins—on Monday night's hottest show."

The next big test awaits the new champ. Can he thrive while sitting on the top rung? As Balor's reign gets underway, he will seek to make WWE look smart for rocketing him to the universal title.