WWE Raw August 17, 2026 Preview, Match Predictions and More

WWEOpinions
Written by R-Double
WWE Raw promotional image featuring World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns holding the championship title against a red and black Raw background.

The landscape for the World Heavyweight Championship tournament takes center stage this Monday’s (8/17/26) WWE Raw in Buffalo, as the first-round matchups continue with intense high-stakes action.

Plus, with "The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns making his highly-anticipated return to the red brand, the Buffalo crowd is in for a night where alliances will be tested and the hierarchy of Raw will be forcefully re-established.

Check out the official preview and my updated predictions — we said we’d refresh this once Adam Pearce made his announcements, and he just did, so here’s the latest.

8/16 Updates

WWE RAW
AUGUST 17, 2026 — BUFFALO, NY (KEYBANK CENTER)

OFFICIAL MATCH CARD & ANNOUNCEMENTS

INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Chad Gable (c) vs. Rey Mysterio
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP #1 CONTENDERSHIP TOURNAMENT (FIRST ROUND)
Dragon Lee vs. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP #1 CONTENDERSHIP TOURNAMENT (FIRST ROUND)
Rey Fenix vs. El Fiscal
WOMEN'S SINGLES MATCH
Sol Ruca vs. Lyra Valkyria
FEATURED SEGMENT
Jey Uso delivers Solo Sikoa to World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns

R-DUBS' PREDICTIONS

INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Rey Mysterio defeats Chad Gable (To win the title)
TOURNAMENT (FIRST ROUND)
El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. defeats Dragon Lee
TOURNAMENT (FIRST ROUND)
El Fiscal defeats Rey Fenix
WOMEN'S SINGLES MATCH
Lyra Valkyria defeats Sol Ruca
ROMAN REIGNS SEGMENT
Roman Reigns returns with a message for The Vision; Oba Femi interrupts and is powerbombed by The Tribal Chief
SOLO & JEY USO SEGMENT
Jey Uso attempts to deliver Solo Sikoa to Roman Reigns, only to be tricked by Solo Sikoa as Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga emerge to launch a blindside attack on The Usos and Roman Reigns
NEW TALK SHOW
Liv Morgan's Selfie Show with Roxanne Perez & Raquel Rodriguez
NON-TITLE MATCH
Alpha Academy defeats The Vision
MAIN EVENT
Seth Rollins defeats LA Knight

  • WWE Raw is one of WWE's flagship weekly programs, showcasing the premier Superstars of the red brand in high-stakes matches, intense rivalries, explosive confrontations, and major storyline developments that drive the WWE landscape forward.

  • Raw airs live every Monday at 8 p.m. ET, streaming live on Netflix in the United States and globally across international markets.

R-Double

R-Double aka ‘The Prodigy from Tennessee’ is a Citizen at "On the Avenue" Studio, member of Autism Tennessee, participates in a Disabilities Recreation program & of course, "Buddy Ball" local sports teams.

He’s a passionate and incredibly positive, pro wrestling fan with autism, and now the host of our WrestleVoice podcast!

Follow him on Facebook and Twitter at the links.

Previous

Has AEW Outgrown Eddie Kingston's Style? The Pacing Paradox
Next

Stevie Richards and James Romero Are the Mainstream PW Media Virus Antidote