WWE Raw: Potential Spoilers, Rumors, News and Preview for October 17

The past will collide with the present when Goldberg charges onto WWE Raw for the first time in 12 years. 

All eyes will be on the jackhammering powerhouse who ruled WCW. Goldberg will answer a challenge in Denver and set up a major match.

On behalf of his client, Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman called out Goldberg last Monday. Lesnar apparently wants the chance to avenge the loss he suffered at WrestleMania XX.

Goldberg wasted no time in responding. He tweeted the following that same night:

And now, a rematch few expected to happen is in motion. 

Will nostalgia make Goldberg's return a marquee moment? Or has interest in his smashmouth act faded over the years? PWTorch's Wade Keller predicted a positive response: "I expect a massive ovation."

Raw will be the stage of another answered challenge as well.

SmackDown's overseers, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan, proposed a trio of brand-against-brand elimination matches at the Survivor Series pay-per-view in November. Raw's own authority figures are sure to have something to say about those bouts.

What else can fans expect to see on the newest edition of Raw? How will the red brand's rivalries progress ahead of the Hell in a Cell PPV on Oct. 30?

Backstage news, the Raw preview on WWE.com and other info help answer those questions before Raw hits the airwaves on Monday at 8 p.m. ET on the USA Network.

News, Potential Spoilers

Goldberg won't be pouncing on either The Beast Incarnate or his advocate just yet. WWE reportedly wants to hold off on that meeting.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com wrote, "Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman are not slated to be there live tonight. The plan is to have Brock on next week and from there, build to Survivor Series on Nov. 20."

Denver fans may instead welcome Emma back to the WWE ring.

Recent vignettes have teased her return from injury, promising that she will morph into Emmalina. Whatever that name change entails could soon be on display. 

She returned to action over the weekend, albeit for the SmackDown brand. As seen on the Internet Wrestling Database, Emma wrestled in a pair of tag team matches at live events, her first taste of the ring since May.

Naomi tweeted a photo of the Australian celebrating their victory:

Whether WWE has changed its mind about what brand she's assigned to or she was just using the SmackDown appearances as a warm-up will be clear in a hurry.

The cruiserweight division should be welcoming a new face before long.

As Figure Four Online noted (h/t Marc Middleton of Wrestling Inc), Noam Dar was backstage during last Monday's Raw but did not appear on the show. In addition, Ariya Daivari, who debuted last week, is reportedly expected to be a part of the division moving forward.

Raw Streaks

Braun Strowman remains unstoppable. WWE continues to book him as a monster, pitting him against two enhancement talents at the same time on the last edition of Raw.

The big man bowled over The Splash Brothers with little effort before again demanding stiffer competition from Raw general manager Mick Foley.

According to CageMatch.net, Strowman's winning streak on Raw is now up to 11. His momentum promises to continue into Monday night and beyond.

As for Titus O'Neil, even a gimmick tweak hasn't netted him a better record. 

O'Neil has recently been boasting about his own brand. He's evolved into a cocky businessman, but a push hasn't come with the character adjustment.

The powerhouse dropped a bout to R-Truth last week. That marked his fifth loss on Raw in a row, per CageMatch.net. O'Neil last tasted victory on a Monday night on Aug. 1.

The string of defeats may be a part of his story, leading to a breakdown of some sort.

Hell in a Cell on the Horizon

Whether they continue to hate each other or not, Cesaro and Sheamus have a title opportunity against The New Day set for Hell in a Cell.

The rivals-turned-partners have bickered and seethed at each other at every turn. Will their alliance grow even more contentious, or as the Raw preview on WWE.com asked, "Will this tumultuous team finally see the light this Monday night?"

WWE has a potentially compelling narrative to play with here.

Cesaro and Sheamus' success despite their bad blood disrupting their bouts could be a lot of fun. The company would be smart to put a spotlight on their tense dynamic, too, much as it did with Kane and Bryan when they became Team Hell No.

Dana Brooke and Bayley won't be tag team partners anytime soon.

The two enemies have traded attacks the past few weeks. Bayley floored Brooke backstage on Oct. 3. Charlotte's villainous protege responded by blasting Bayley on the entrance ramp last Monday.

Raw featuring two simultaneous women-centered storylines is a welcome sight. WWE has to keep the momentum of this rivalry going. It's a potentially powerful tool for introducing both Bayley and Brooke.

The premier rivalry of the women's division is promised ample airtime come Monday night.

Last week, Raw women's champ Sasha Banks challenged Charlotte to a historic Hell in a Cell match. The fact that this will be the first time women have ever climbed into that structure will generate a glut of buzz surrounding the contest.

Expect WWE to milk the special nature of the match. It can and should be the PPV's main event.

The Raw preview teased that the challenger will have something up her sleeve on Monday: "Charlotte might need to devise a new strategy if she stands a chance of conquering both Sasha and the Cell itself on Sunday, Oct. 30. And that new strategy may need to start falling into place starting this Monday on Raw."

Denver will also be home to the continuing animosity between universal champ Kevin Owens and the man chasing him down for that title, Seth Rollins.

Rollins has had the upper hand of late. He has made a habit of hitting Owens' best friend, Chris Jericho, with a Pedigree to close the show.

Owens needs to gain some measure of revenge. He's been too charming and entertaining to root against. Monday is a great opportunity to showcase Owens' brutal side.

Rollins needs to be the one flat on his back. This feud needs an injection of aggression to truly get going.

Goldberg's return will be the talk of Monday's Raw, but WWE can't neglect this storyline, one featuring two potential cornerstones of the New Era.