Top RAW backstage rumors: 2 more Superstars may be leaving for AEW; Vince McMahon cancels major push for former US Champion; Brock Lesnar's WWE return update (1st June)

Monday Night RAW had a splendid episode last week and looks to ride on the momentum this week as well. Seth Rollins will be organising a 'retirement ceremony' for Rey Mysterio after he had brutally attacked and injured Rey Mysterio's eye a few weeks back on RAW. Is this truly Mysterio's retirement? Read on to get the answer.

Apart from that, we will also talk about the return date for former WWE Champion and RAW's biggest attraction - Brock Lesnar. So without any further wait, let us take a look at 5 big backstage rumors that could have a major impact on RAW!

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#5 The Viking Raiders planning to leave WWE?

We are still awaiting our rematch#JoinTheRaid @MATTHARDYBRAND @JEFFHARDYBRAND @Erik_WWE https://t.co/Ad1KLIBa5Z

— Ivar (@Ivar_WWE) May 31, 2020

During a recent Twitter interaction between Matt Hardy and Erik, the two talked about a possible rematch. As you may know, Matt Hardy chose to join AEW instead of re-signing with WWE and is currently a big part of AEW.

WrestlingNews.co have speculated that the Twitter exchange between Hardy and The Viking Raider quite resemble the exchange that took place between The Young Bucks and The Revival, before the latter, now known as FTR, joined AEW recently.

These teases sound a like like the teases between the Twitter exchanges between The Young Bucks and the former Revival. If The Viking Raiders/War Machine match is going to happen then it would likely happen outside of WWE since it looks like Matt’s days as a WWE Superstar are behind him.

The website also stated that while Jeff Hardy's contract is set to expire in 2021, it is unclear as to when The Viking Raiders will be nearing their contract end. But it could be ending next year as the duo had signed their contacts in 2018.

While The Viking Raiders were treated as a dominant tag-team during their stints in NJPW, ROH and even NXT, they can be seen playing mini-golf and basketball on RAW against the Street Profit these days.

Do you think The Viking Raiders will quit WWE? Tell us in the comments!

#4 Vince McMahon canceled Ricochet's push

Remember Ricochet?

The first NXT North-American Champion, the man who was touted as the next big sensation on RAW, who got to face Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship and who had a run with the US Championship soon after his arrival on RAW.

Well, all these accolades mean nothing now as reports have suggested that Vince McMahon has dropped the plans for the high-flyer's push along with Cedric Alexander and Humberto Carrillo.

All these three young high-fliers are favourites of Paul Heyman and received a brief push on RAW. However, it looks like the Chairman is not sold on these Superstars as per Meltzer of WON. Here is what WrestlingNews.co has stated:

Meltzer also noted that in recent months there were plans to use the United States Championship to elevate Cedric Alexander, Humberto Carrillo, and Ricochet into high card faces and all of those plans were dropped.

Though there were attempts to push Ricochet and Cedric Alexander as a tag-team of late but it looks like even those plans are not going to pan out.

#3 Return update on Brock Lesnar

The Beast Incarnate Brock Lesnar has been missing from action ever since he lost his WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre at Wrestlemania 36. While Brock Lesnar did work a few empty arena episodes of RAW prior to WrestleMania, it has been reported that WWE was not intent on using him until the crowds returned to RAW.

SportsKeeda's Tom Colohue has given some good news in that regard, stating that WWE are optimistic about SummerSlam taking place in August in front of a live crowd, and that could be the time when former WWE Champion Brock Lesnar makes his return.

In news for the summer around August time, the WWE, with now everything changing as per state by state, as per the COVID-19 pandemic, the WWE is feeling optimistic that August might be in time to have the crowds back and have a show at an arena.

Talking about Lesnar's return being linked with SummerSlam:

Brock Lesnar has been penciled in for an appearance if they are able to open in time for SummerSlam. We may be seeing The Beast Incarnate back sooner than we think.

#2 Samoa Joe to become an announcer permanently?

There has been a lot of shuffling in the RAW announce team since last year. The team currently comprises of Byron Saxton, Tom Phillips, and Samoa Joe. Samoa Joe had briefly been part of the RAW commentary team last year as well during the time he was suffering from a hand injury.

However, once recovered The Samoan returned to in-ring action before he was sidelined yet again due to a concussion-related injury. While Jerry Lawler had served as the third member of the RAW announce team, Samoa Joe seems to have taken his place - possibly permanently.

Here is what Dave Meltzer of WON has stated:

Regarding Samoa Joe, he is still not cleared to return, however he is also now considered the permanent replacement for Lawler as an announcer. What that means if/when he is cleared is that he may have the role where he announces and they can shoot angles for him to wrestle using that (since those kind of angles usually do well). Things could also change if later there are depth issues and they feel the need to have him as a full-time wrestler. Or he could mix the two

#1 Rey Mysterio not retiring anytime soon

As you may know, Seth Rollins will be holding a retirement ceremony for Rey Mysterio on RAW. While this ceremony will likely just be for the storyline, there have been a lot of rumors circulating suggesting that the former WWE Champion Rey Mysterio is near the end of his contract and has not re-signed.

As per SportsKeeda's Tom Colohue, Rey Mysterio is not retiring anytime soon and will likely pe part of the company at least till WrestleMania.

Full-on swerve. Just a full-on swerve. Mysterio is not done yet! His contract has always been a brief one but there are always moments in it that have allowed him to retire ahead of time if he chooses to because Rey does consider this his last run.

He also talked about saying that Rey Mysterio will likely be having a retirement match at WrestleMania next year:

We reported here on this podcast that Rey was considering a retirement match for WrestleMania since then everyone seems to be reporting about Rey's contract coming to an end.