RAW 25, the 25th Anniversary of Monday Night Raw airing this coming Monday January 22, promises to be a fun romp down memory lane for the WWE Universe as the WWE gears up for an historic Royal Rumble featuring the first ever Women’s Royal Rumble. With over 30 past Superstars, Legends and Hall of Famers scheduled to appear, it would be safe to assume that storyline will be at a minimal for the event, as the WWE looks to capitalize on feel good moments of fun, with the Rumble’s storylines already set up going in. As we get closer to RAW 25, two more names have surfaced for inclusion in the reunion party, while one scheduled name has pulled out due to injury.
WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash has announced that due to his knee replacement, he is immobile right now and cannot bear to travel to New York for the event. Nash was scheduled to appear alongside his long time partner Scott Hall from The Outsiders and the nWo. While Hall’s fellow Kliq members Triple H, Shawn Michaels and X-Pac are slated to appear, the three were scheduled for a DX reunion with the New Age Outlaws. Hall could work an angle where he temporarily joins DX for one night, or the three Kliq members could be broken off to appear with Hall, while the New Age Outlaws do a separate segment.
Was so looking forward to being a part of RAW 25. It's nearly impossible to travel on our down sized airlines healthy. With a total knee replacement it would be self inflicted torture. See ya everyone at Mania
— Kevin Nash (@RealKevinNash) January 18, 2018
On Smackdown Live, it was announced that WWE Hall of Famer and 7x Women’s Champion Trish Stratus will also be appearing on Monday for the festivities. It’s widely speculated that Stratus could also announce her participation in the Women’s Royal Rumble, as Trish has long mentioned a desire to return to the ring, even if it was a one-time deal. She was reportedly set to return over a year ago, but had to withdraw due to her last pregnancy.
Who’s ready for some stratusfaction… https://t.co/TI9282D4Lb #RAW25
— Trish Stratus (@trishstratuscom) January 17, 2018
According to PWInsider’s Mike Johnson, 2x World Heavyweight Champion, 4x Intercontinental Champion and 9x Tag Team Champion Christian is also scheduled to appear, but has no been announced as of yet. His long time partner, Edge, will unfortunately not be appearing, as he’s scheduled to be outside of the US at that time.
In a follow up to the rumours of Mick Foley appearing, Foley has stated that he has a prior booking that night, but is trying to reschedule, but as of this time is not schedule to appear at RAW 25, despite being invited. In a recent interview with UK newspaper The Mirror, Foley had this to say when asked about appearing on Monday:
“I’ve been invited, I’m trying to clear out time from something I had already committed to. Whether I’m there in person or not, I believe I will be there in spirit. This show literally changed my life. It was such a big part of my life. Not just from the time I was on it. I’m almost always watching on Monday night with my children, so it has been a big part of my life, whether I’m on the show or not.”
