WWE Raw: Burning Questions to Address After August 22 Show

The August 22 episode of Raw saw the relinquishing of a newly created championship, the arrival of NXT's most popular Superstar and the retirement of tag team royalty. For all of that, though, there were unanswered questions left for the WWE Universe.

From the curious choice of Superstars who stepped into Universal Championship contention to the sudden and abrupt conclusion of one of Raw's marquee programs, there were decisions made throughout the course of Monday's show that generated buzz and discussion.

What are they? Do they have any readily apparent answers? How might they affect WWE programming going forward?

1. Is Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins for the vacant WWE Universal Championship a foregone conclusion?

After Monday's Raw, there is little reason not to expect Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins for the WWE Universal Championship to be the feud that carries the red brand for the foreseeable future.

Neither Sami Zayn nor Kevin Owens, Big Cass nor Neville has been built up enough to warrant inclusion in the highest-profile feud in the company.

Reigns and Rollins have spent the last two years on top, the lead heel and babyface in WWE's weekly morality play. They have beaten the top stars in the industry, headlined pay-per-views and won championships. With Finn Balor set to undergo surgery, the leader of the Roman Empire is the most logical choice to replace him, whether fans like it or not.

Chris Jericho, the only other Superstar with enough credibility to possibly capture the title and enjoy a decent run, was beaten Monday night by Reigns, further hammering home the idea that fans can expect the former champion to rejoin his Shield brethren in the main event.

Which brings us to another question left unanswered Monday night...

2. Has Rusev vs. Reigns reached an unsatisfactory conclusion?

Credit: WWE.com

Sunday at SummerSlam, Reigns and Rusev brawled around ringside before the juggernaut left The Bulgarian Brute lying following a thunderous spear. Just 24 hours later, there was no follow-up.

Had it not been for Michael Cole and Co. running down what happened at SummerSlam, one would be hard-pressed to know that Reigns' victory over the United States champion on last week's show was not the last time they interacted.

The lack of revenge for Rusev and Reigns' apparent return to the main event suggest that the two have wrestled their last match. If that is the case, it is a major disappointment for Rusev, who was finally building momentum for himself during the program with one of wrestling's elite.

Worst of all was the fact that Rusev never got his win back, devaluing him as champion and further shoving the United States Championship into the midcard.

3. Will Bayley Eclipse Sasha Banks' popularity in the WWE women's division?

Credit: WWE.com

The short answer: yes.

Bayley has an emotional connection with fans that Superstars across the company would give anything to have. She is the most popular star in all of professional wrestling, her childlike enthusiasm reminding fans that it is still OK to be fans.

Her arrival on the main roster not only strengthens the women's side of things on Raw, but it also presents Sasha Banks with the first real competition to her throne as the most popular performer in the division.

Whereas Banks' swagger has earned her fans, it is nothing in comparison to the reactions the former NXT women's champion receives when she explodes through the curtain.

For the first time in WWE history, young girls have a role model. That connection not only earns her more fans, but it solidifies her as the John Cena of women's wrestling, something WWE's women's divisions have lacked for decades.