3 major reasons why Rey Mysterio didn't show up with Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe

This week's episode of Monday Night RAW opened on a high note when Kevin Owens decided to begin the proceedings by calling out The Authors of Pain and their leader Seth Rollins. What originally looked to be a 3-on-1 attack turned into a brawl as Samoa Joe also joined the escalating fight between the ropes and attacked AoP. In case you may have forgotten, AoP was the group that attacked The Samoan Submission Machine and put him through the announce table a week ago.

It was a pleasant sight for the fans to witness one of their favorite wrestlers return to action after being in a reviewer and commentator role since his injury. The arena was electric, and it felt as if the company had hit the right spot with such an explosive start, but the big question was still left unanswered: Where is Rey Mysterio?

The Mexican high-flyer has also been a victim of AoP and Seth Rollins, similar to Joe and Owens, but he wasn't seen during this attack. That raised concerns over what the company has planned for the masked superstar. Here are 3 potention reasons that Mysterio didn't show up on RAW. As always, we welcome your thoughts in the comments section.

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#3 Time off due to losing the US Title to Andrade

Time off is well-deserved fot the Superstar

Rey Mysterio is a fighting champion and a wrestler of great resilience who has surpassed various obstacles during his illustrious career. The Master of 619 lost his United States Championship at the Madison Square Garden show and may have been given this week off to hype the loss and also raise the stakes for his return next week. Even if he doesn't return next week, it would still be a great way to tease the fans who are anticipating the return of the former US champion, who is no stranger to creating legendary moments on television. A return by the high-flyer would be exciting for everyone.

#2 To make his return to TV more special

The hype is real for his return

If this week's return of Liv Morgan and its impact on viewership, especially online, is any indication, one can be sure that a hyped return does wonders. The fact that Rey Mysterio was expected to be on RAW but didn't show up, could lead to people wondering if he will be back next week. And if not, maybe the following week, and so on. If he bides his time and returns by making an attack The Authors of Pain and Seth Rollins backstage, similar to some of the formers' attacks in recent weeks, it would be a surprising way to return and a worthy manner to exact some revenge on the new supergroup.

This storyline includes Mysterio as a main player, and is the centerpiece angle on the red brand. Ongoing anticipation of his return would get the WWE Universe talking and his eventual comeback could make for a major "West Coast" pop for everyone watching.

#1 Someone else could be showing up to help Owens and Joe

Who could join them?

It would be difficult to pinpoint one Superstar that might join Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe in their ongoing battle against Seth Rollins and AoP, but we know that the WWE often has something up its sleeve to provide the WWE Universe something unexpected and memorable. It is this aspect that leaves us pondering about the possibility that a third member other than Mysterio could join the fight.

It could be a returning Jeff Hardy, or Superstar that has been denying a return until now, the "Rated-R Superstar", Edge. Humberto Carillo is an up-and-coming star who would receive a great benefit from being associated with the likes of Rollins, Owens, and Joe. Drew McIntrye would be a gigantic addition (literally and figuratively) to this story of great magnitude. The options are many, and while some may sound unrealistic, the fact is that if Rey is not joining forces with two of the best that RAW has to offer, someone else will.

Any other reason that you think caused this week's absence of Rey Mysterio? Chime in.