Top RAW Backstage Rumors: Details on why Shane McMahon quit; 2-time Champion allegedly done with WWE; Major Superstars 'in trouble' with Vince McMahon; Keith Lee's future (21st September)

Welcome to another edition of the top RAW backstage rumors that could have a major impact. While SmackDown has been gaining momentum as of late thanks to the return of Roman Reigns and the feud between Sasha Banks and Bayley, RAW has no doubt been lagging behind.

While RAW Underground and the WWE Championship picture have fans hooked, there are other aspects of the show that need to be worked on. Speaking of RAW Undeground, which is said to be the brainchild of Shane McMahon, we will discuss today why he had left the company in 2009.

Apart from that, we will cover many other backstage rumors that you can not miss ahead of Monday Night RAW:

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#5 Reason why RAW Superstar Shane McMahon had left

RAW Superstar Shane McMahon has been away from WWE for a long time before he made his return ahead of WrestleMania 33. There had been rumors about a rift between father and son and that Shane McMahon had left because he did not feel valued by WWE.

Speaking to Corey Graves on the After the Bell podcast, Shane McMahon cleared the air and revealed the true reason why he decided to leave WWE in 2009.

''So it’s like I’ve had 15 different jobs over the tenure of my career, and you learn so much, whether I was working inside the company having to be all under one umbrella. So taking that knowledge, wanted to go outside for a little while. Also, it was very important for me and one of the bigger driving factors was, I have three boys and make sure that I was their life a little bit. I wanted more time with them, and my leave allowed me to invest time, which is the most valuable commodity as you’re aware. Everything is so demanding, your time is so demanding. So I was able to coach all my son’s peewee football, until they got to high school. H/T: WrestleTalk''

#4 RAW Superstar Ricochet allegedly done with WWE

I've received a number of messages saying that the Wrestlevotes report is indeed about Ricochet. Early days and isn't able to be formally reported yet but yeah. Absolutely no one is surprised. https://t.co/iJZgRYm9Zh

— SoDuTw (@SoDuTw) September 17, 2020

WrestleVotes had stated some time back that a top Superstar has decided not to renew his WWE contract once it is over. As per recent reports from Twitter user SoDuTW, the Superstar in question is Ricochet of RAW.

I can’t reveal the name as that’s just not smart business, but I can very confidently say that a certain WWE talent has decided to not resign with the company once their current deal expires.

Ricochet has been languishing in the RAW mid-card ever since he lost his push after getting squashed by Brock Lesnar in a matter of seconds. While Paul Heyman was reportedly high on the former North American Champion, it has been reported that Vince McMahon does not see anything special in him.

I've received a number of messages saying that the Wrestlevotes report is indeed about Ricochet. Early days and isn't able to be formally reported yet but yeah. Absolutely no one is surprised.

There has been a lot of interest in Ricochet from AEW and other promotions and while he has denied claims of him leaving WWE, only time will tell what happens.

#3 Andrade and Aleister Black in trouble as Vince McMahon may cancel their push on RAW

It had been reported earlier that Paul Heyman was fond of Aleister Black, but Vince McMahon wasn't. It has now been stated by Dave Meltzer of WOR that both Andrade and Black are in jeopardy of losing their push on RAW soon as Vince McMahon isn't keen on either of them.

He also stated that if Angel Garza vs Andrade feud happens then it will be Garza who goes over and former NXT Champion Andrade will be forgotten.

''When Heyman got replaced, I was kind of told, I mean, not soo much the Viking Raiders as that obviously came from the injury but, Aleister Black and Andrade were like the two guys who were really going to be in trouble because Vince McMahon doesn't necessarily see a lot in them as compared to what Heyman saw in them.''

He further talked about how RAW Superstars Angel Garza will be the one pushed if the tag team does split up.

It's probably going to be Garza that goes over, and Andrade is the one that gets forgotten.

#2 Zelina Vega's future on RAW

Dave Meltzer of WOR also noted that in case WWE decides to split Garza, Andrade and Zelina Vega on RAW, then she will get an in-ring career similar to Lana. While he admits that Vega is a much better wrestler than Lana, he says that it is unlikely that she will get a major push as a singles star.

''Zelina Vega as a wrestler is going to be like taking Lana away from managing and making her wrestle. It's going to have the same result, and you know, even though Zelina Vega is a better wrestler, she is so much better as a manager than as a wrestler. It's again another example of doing something to do something with no regard to really the people involved."

RAW Superstar Zelina Vega has often stated that she wanted to return to in-ring action but was told by the decision-makers that they needed her in a managerial role. Vega definitely has the charisma and in-ring talent to pull off a successful career as a wrestler instead of remaining a manager.

#1 Future plans for RAW Superstar Keith Lee

While the fandom was furious after WWE changed Keith Lee's attire and music soon after he debuted on RAW, he has been pushed hard on the red brand. The Limitless One has been embroiled in a story with Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton ever since he stepped foot on the red brand.

Dave Meltzer of WON has now speculated that there is a chance that Keith Lee may be interjected into the WWE Championship match at Clash of Champions. He stated that while WWE wants to push Keith Lee, they don't have any concrete plans for him on RAW right now.

“I didn’t a sense at all that [Keith is] going heel, but they’re just running by the seat of their pants when it comes to Keith Lee. You can tell. There’s no plan in place at all other than he’s still on the list of people they are pushing as opposed to the other guys who are no longer on the list.”

Although Lee might be added to the Ambulance match at Clash of Champions, it will likely be to take the loss.