WWE Monday Night Raw 8/29/11 Preview: 5 Things to Expect During Tonight's Event

It's that time of the week again, and the biggest superstars in the WWE are set to grace our television screens tonight on WWE Monday Night Raw.  

With a full Monday ahead of us, we're here to break down the five major things the WWE universe can expect out of tonight's event.

Last week on Raw, there were key developments in the CM Punk/Kevin Nash text message angle.  

For the first time since SummerSlam, things got physical, with Nash punching Punk while he was getting into it with Triple H.  This didn't please the WWE COO, Triple H.  He sent Nash packing later in the show, telling him he couldn't have Nash running around picking fights with the talent. 

Prior to the main event, John Laurinaitis informed Triple H that Nash had been in a car accident and taken to a local hospital.  Triple H left Raw to check on Nash, leaving Laurinaitis in charge. During the main event, a number-one contender match between CM Punk and John Cena for Alberto Del Rio's WWE Championship, Laurinaitis and the champion sat ringside.

As Punk was looking to hit the Go to Sleep and secure victory, Nash, perfectly healthy, stepped out on the ramp and distracted him, allowing Cena to hit the Attitude Adjustment and get the win.

Tonight, we will get more answers, and more importantly, a better grasp of the direction that the WWE is going with this angle.  

This, and much more, can be expected out of tonight's WWE Monday Night Raw.  Check out the following slides as we break down the five things to expect from tonight's show!

SmackDown Superstars Come to Raw and Promote Super SmackDown

In case you've somehow missed out on this significant piece of information, tomorrow night the WWE is going live with SmackDown on the Syfy channel.

In preparation for this, there will be SmackDown superstars on Raw tonight.  That's not entirely uncommon as of late, but expect the SmackDown roster to be out in force during tonight's show.

Tomorrow night's Super SmackDown is headlined by Randy Orton versus Christian in a steel cage match. Also, WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio is scheduled to face Sin Cara.  It wouldn't be a stretch to expect to see more matches made tonight.

There will likely be some inter-promotional matches, promos, interviews, and constant plugging for the event. The WWE would love to see a jump in ratings for SmackDown going live, with solid results possibly leading to a move towards live SmackDown broadcasts in the near future.

The Continued Revitalization of WWE's Tag-Team Division

When Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne won the WWE Tag Team Championship last week on Raw, the crowd went wild, a reaction that a "real" tag team hasn't received in quite some time.

Let's also not forget that the unlikely duo of The Miz and R-Truth are positioned to be the first mega-heel tag team, cutting a great promo last week.  

Tonight, we may finally see the Miz/Truth team established and in action.  Will they get some new threads that match, as the new tag-team champions did when they first teamed up?

Speaking of the champions, I'd like to see them in action against a new tag team.  How about a non-title match against The Usos?  Not only is it Raw versus SmackDown, it's a nice way to get the Uso brothers some attention.

Regardless of the specifics, expect to see the continued revitalization of the tag-team division tonight.

Dolph Ziggler and Vickie Guerrero's Rocky Relationship, and Jack Swagger

Last week on Raw, the ever-popular Vickie Guerrero joined Jack Swagger as he faced Alex Riley, and it appeared that she had found a new horse to hitch her cart to.

WWE United States Champion, and Vickie's "client," Dolph Ziggler, came to the ring to confront Vickie while the match was taking place.  

As Dolph pleaded with Vickie, telling her he's the only one she needs to manage, Vickie fell, and this caught Swagger's attention.  

Swagger yelled at Dolph from the ring, thinking he had done something to Vickie. Swagger's chivalrous intentions cost him the match, as Riley took advantage of the distraction, getting the win.  Vickie left with Dolph, and Swagger looked none too pleased about it.

Tonight on Raw, we can definitely expect to see developments in this angle.  Will Vickie give Swagger another try, to see if he can win while she's in his corner?  Will Dolph even allow that to happen? Or will Swagger be stuck trying to convince Vickie that he's worth her picking him as a "client"?

CM Punk Still Wants Answers; Now Triple H Does, Too

CM Punk has been looking for answers for two weeks straight, and after last week, he's not alone.

Not only will Punk continue his effort to find out who sent the text message to Kevin Nash at SummerSlam and why, but Triple H will also be looking to get some answers out of John Laurinaitis after his actions last week.

Triple H won't be fond of being a pawn in someone else's scheme, and won't take too kindly to Kevin Nash working with John Laurinaitis, either.  

How the aftermath of last week's developments plays out will determine where Triple H stands in regards to CM Punk. Obviously, they're not going to become the best of friends after all the things Punk has said, but as it stands, they may have to set their differences aside long enough to force some revelations tonight.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend, or so it's been said.

Then again, Triple H could be deceived once again, but "The Cerebral Assassin" doesn't come across as one who'd be so easy to fool.

John Cena Seeks Retribution After Championship Beatdown

The feud between WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio and new number one contender John Cena will be in full effect tonight, without a doubt.

After beating CM Punk in the main event of Raw last week, Cena was beaten down by Del Rio, as John Laurinaitis was unable (unwilling?) to hold him back or pull him off.

This is a golden opportunity for Cena to continue his development into an edgier version of himself.  His more serious tone and attitude have begun to make him more appealing to some fans, all while still managing to hit his usual spots that his younger fans love him for.

With Del Rio and Cena set for Night of Champions, expect these two to go at it on the mic often.  Del Rio will look to be a thorn in Cena's side, while Cena may seek some early retribution for the beating he took last week.

What do you expect out of tonight's show, Bleachers? Sound off in the comment section!