Momentum lost and momentum built from Survivor Series will spill over into the Nov. 25 episode of WWE Raw.
WWE has three weeks to create and promote the narratives that will make up TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2013. That should equal an edition of Raw that is brimming with drama and surprises as the company leaps from one big event to another.
The biggest story coming out of Survivor Series was a faceoff, not an actual match. John Cena interrupted Randy Orton's victory celebration by proudly displaying the World Heavyweight Championship.
Your TLC 2013 main event?
Fans immediately began speculating that TLC 2013 would feature a title vs. title match. Monday's Raw will either confirm that or reveal that we'll have to wait for that bout.
Mitch Passero highlighted the show-ending confrontation in the WWE.com five-point preview for Monday's Raw, asking the following questions.
What prompted The Champ to cut in on Orton's moment? How might The Viper respond tonight? What will The Authority have to say about things?
Those hints and WWE making the Cena and Orton showdown the big story heading into Monday certainly has it looking like Orton and Cena are going to have folks flash back to 2009.
What's less clear is what the company has planned for its Super Bowl-winning guest. Former New York Giant Michael Strahan will guest star on the show.
Aside from playing to the crowd in Long Island, N.Y. WWE is likely to have him appear in a few backstage segments and perhaps even hit someone with a shoulder tackle.
Any chance he wears the trunks that Cena had made for him?
The main focus on Monday's Raw will likely be on The Authority's next step. It appears that the corporate stable will be one man deeper as it continues its reign.
News, Rumors, Potential Spoilers
Vince McMahon, mostly left out of The Authority storyline, is likely to be a major part of it come Monday.
After Survivor Series went off the air, Mr. McMahon stopped Triple H from stepping into the ring with Cena. As this fan caught on camera, McMahon was soon ready to fight the world champ himself.
Expect this tension to continue on into Monday's Raw. This confrontation combined with the showdown that ended Survivor Series points to Cena taking Big Show's spot as the main fan favorite looking to end The Authority's tyranny.
Mr. McMahon appears to be an added authority figure in an already-crowded hierarchy.
Despite John Laurinaitis' Survivor Series cameo, don't expect him to be vying for control with McMahon, Kane, Triple H and the rest of the corporate chain of command.
Laurinaitis made a surprise return, appearing in a brief backstage segment at the pay-per-view. That was reportedly a one-shot deal, not a sign of "Mr. Excitement" coming back.
WrestlingInc.com reports that, "Laurinaitis is not expected back full time and apparently has reportedly been doing some agent work backstage."
Mark Henry's return, on the other hand, appears to be the first of many appearances for him. Henry answered an open challenge from Ryback at Survivor Series and walked away with a win.
What's next for him? He'll be challenging Orton for the WWE Championship, at house shows at least.
PWInsider.com noted that "Randy Orton vs. Mark Henry for the WWE Championship is currently advertised for Live Events in Vancouver, B.C on Dec. 7th and Yakima, WA on Dec. 8th."
The question then becomes: Does Henry become the next No. 1 contender, or is WWE going to go forward with Cena vs. Orton instead. The championship unification match was rumored to be in the works for WrestleMania XXX, per PWInsider, via WrestlingInc.com.
If WWE decides to hold off on the WWE champ meeting the world titleholder, Orton may be facing a far bigger opponent for the second pay-per-view in a row.
Early TLC Build
CM Punk and Daniel Bryan defeated Luke Harper and Erick Rowan at Survivor Series, but that rivalry doesn't appear to be over.
Bray Wyatt teased a post-match brawl with Punk and Bryan, but instead stepped down from the ring apron wearing a devilish grin. Passero's five-point preview suggests that this moment was a precursor to a future collision.
There is likely more Bryan and Punk vs. The Wyatt Family to come.
Passero asks, "Is another clash with the creepy clan imminent?"
Bryan's trademark "Yes!" chants provides the answer to that question. F4WOnline, via WrestlingInc.com, reported in late October that the purpose of this feud was "to elevate Bray Wyatt and The Wyatt Family."
If that's the case, a single match won't be enough, and certainly not a loss for the Superstars getting elevated. Bet on Harper and Rowan escalating the animosity between these two teams on Monday, making up somewhat for losing at Survivor Series.
What of the tag team champions?
Cody Rhodes and Zeb Colter had a tense moment before the elimination tag bout, Rhodes essentially telling him to shut up. That could lead to The Real Americans getting another title shot, but Roman Reigns' impressive performance at the pay-per-view made the case that The Shield should still be in the title mix as well.
Are we headed for a three or four team TLC clash?
Who gets screen time and who rams heads with the Rhodes brothers on Monday's Raw will help answer that question.
The first edition of Raw after Survivor Series will also provide some clarity on the direction of several Superstars. Big Show may go from No. 1 contender to off TV after Orton punted him in the head, Alberto Del Rio may be headed for a trip to the midcard and Big E Langston is likely in search of a new challenger after taking Curtis Axel out at Sunday's event.
The match card will start to get filled out even before the coals die down from Survivor Series.
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