Latest Rumors, Preview for Final WWE Raw Before Elimination Chamber 2018

Monday's WWE Raw will feature a version of the men's Elimination Chamber match sans steel structure.

Each Superstar scheduled to compete in the Elimination Chamber on Sunday's pay-per-view will battle each other early in a Gauntlet match.

John Cena and his six opponents will have to make it through the meat grinder of a bout which forces the winner of each one-fall contest to face a new opponent moments later.

The women's Elimination Chamber combatants, Asuka and The Revival are set to be a part of the go-home show in Phoenix, as well.

Is a Hall of Famer going to take the stage, too? What else will comprise WWE's last sales pitch for the Elimination Chamber event?

News updates and the Raw preview on WWE.com help us take an early look at the show. Monday's Raw will then get rolling at 8 p.m. ET on USA Network.

News, Rumors

Raw is reportedly set to welcome a big name. PWInsider's Mike Johnson wrote: "Although I have not yet confirmed his role, WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page is slated to be at this Monday's Raw in Phoenix, Arizona."

Monday's show won't feature the universal champ, however. Dave Meltzer noted for Figure Four Online: "Nothing for Brock Lesnar advertised until Feb. 26 in Anaheim."

It looks as if The Beast Incarnate won't return until his WrestleMania opponent is confirmed and WWE can start building toward that bout.

And whatever's in store for the cruiserweight division ahead, Rich Swann won't be a part of it.

The Superstar was serving a suspension for an arrest for domestic violence, but even though the charges were dropped, his WWE run is over. WWE.com announced he and the company have "mutually agreed to part ways." 

Raw Streaks

If Finn Balor can't emerge the winner in the Elimination Chamber, perhaps he should consider going after the Raw Tag Team Championship. He's won 10 straight matches with a partner (or partners) at his side, per CageMatch.net.

In fact, the last time Balor lost a tag bout was back when he was at NXT.

Apollo Crews, despite telling fans "Crews can't lose" of late, doesn't have many victories to his name. He is winless in his last five bouts, per CageMatch.net, following a brief hot stretch when he went 5-2 in seven bouts.

He's fallen back to Earth since then and has a .333 winning percentage in 2018.

Last Leg of Elimination Chamber Build

The warriors set to collide in the first women's Elimination Chamber match will first meet in six-woman tag team match on Monday. Alexa Bliss will partner with Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose from Absolution to go up against Sasha Banks, Bayley and Mickie James.

WWE has overdone the six-woman tag format, but at least this one has some potentially intriguing subplots.

Bliss has tried to recruit James as an ally ahead of the big Chamber match. Banks and Bayley continue to be great friends, but there remain hints of an eventual implosion of their alliance. And how well can Absolution work with Bliss?

Nia Jax, who bowled over Bayley and Banks in a sneak attack last week, is closing in on a showdown with Asuka.

It may be the undefeated Asuka, though, who puts her imprint on Raw in Phoenix. The show's preview on WWE.com asked: "Will The Empress of Tomorrow send a message of her own to the imposing Jax on Monday night?"

The Revival has been in the midst of sending its own message as the bruisers pursue the Raw Tag Team Championship. 

Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder are fresh off knocking off The Balor Club. And with the injuries to Jeff Hardy, Dean Ambrose and Jason Jordan, the tag team scene isn't exactly crowded with contenders. The Revival isn't far from a shot at the gold.

Monday's main event promises to be the clash between all seven men set to enter the Elimination Chamber on Sunday. Cena, Braun Strowman, Balor, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Elias and The Miz will all battle in a Gauntlet match.

That's going to give several wrestlers a chance to gain some key momentum. And the chaos sure to unravel in the ring will be a preview of what's to come in Satan's Prison at the PPV.