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Welcome to another edition of the top RAW backstage rumors that could have a major impact on WWE programming. In today's edition, we will talk about the chances of Brock Lesnar's return, the reason why Orton turned on Ric Flair and why a 12-time Champion had backstage heat.
With SummerSlam fast approaching, WWE provided fans with a solid episode of Monday Night RAW which saw Seth Rollins brutally attack his opponent for the PPV - Rey Mysterio's son Dominik.
We also saw 'The Viper' Randy Orton turn on his long time friend and mentor Ric Flair in surprising fashion. Why did Orton do this? Let's find out!
#5 RAW Superstar Austin Theory could be released by WWE
Austin Theory, the young Superstar who was touted as the future of WWE has been absent for multiple weeks with no mention of him on RAW. Theory was part of Seth Rollins' stable and abruptly stopped appearing on RAW with no explanation given to the fans.
Dave Meltzer revealed on Twitter that RAW Superstar Austin Theory is suspended right now for unknown reasons. Tom Colohue further corroborated the fact and added that there is a high chance that Austin Theory might actually lose his job in WWE.
"This is a situation that is very much personal to Austin Theory. There is a lot of moving parts to it. So I have to be careful with what I say. He has been gone a while with no mention because to put it simply; the WWE still aren't sure whether he will have a job by the end of it. However, it could be that he simply comes back, gets back on TV even as early as two weeks from now and it all be forgotten about. There are many possible outcomes; at the moment, he is suspended."
#4 Reason why RAW Superstar Bobby Lashley decided to leave WWE
Bobby Lashley continues to make an impact on Monday Night RAW each week. While speaking about The Almighty Bobby Lashley on 'Grilling JR', WWE veteran Jim Ross discussed why Lashley had left WWE in 2008 despite being pushed.
On being asked if Lashley left the company because they released his then-girlfriend Kristal, Ross stated that he believes that was not the reason, although he did admit that it may have had a role to play in Lashley becoming unhappy with the company. Jim Ross also mentioned that Bobby Lashley was not very happy with the payoff he got for his WrestleMania 23 match where he faced Umaga.
The match was essentially the main event as Lashley represented Donald Trump while Umaga represented Vince McMahon in the 'Battle of the Billionaires'. Jim Ross also added that Lashley was burnt out with the schedule and probably wanted to try something else.
Jim Ross praised RAW Superstar Bobby Lashley saying that he has done an exceptional job by getting better as a performer before he made his return to WWE 10 years after he got released.
#3 Backstage reason behind Randy Orton brutally assaulting Ric Flair on RAW
This week on RAW, we saw 'The Viper' Randy Orton turn on his mentor Ric Flair. Even though 'The Nature Boy' had been by Randy Orton's side in his crusade of eliminating all legends, Orton turned on Flair itself.
As per reports from WON and WrestlingNews.co, 16-time World Champion Ric Flair is done with the company for now and the attack by Randy Orton was a way to write him off Monday Night RAW.
WrestlingNews.co was told that Flair would be written off during the weeks leading up to Orton vs. Drew McIntyre at SummerSlam because the feeling is that it’s better to solely focus on Orton and McIntyre and there would be no need to use Flair in this feud.
Former multi-time WWE Champion Randy Orton will take on Drew McIntyre at SummerSlam. While it was initially believed that Ric Flair might have a major role to play in the match by helping Orton pick up the win, that will clearly not be happening now.
#2 Possible return plans for Brock Lesnar on RAW Underground
Brock Lesnar has been absent from Monday Night RAW ever since he lost the WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 36. There had been a lot of speculation that The Beast Incarnate will return for SummerSlam but WWE had to change their plans.
Tom Colohue recently discussed the chances of Brock Lesnar returning for RAW Underground. For those who don't know, RAW Underground is a new concept where Superstars battle each other in MMA style fights.
"Yeah, in my opinion, the creative writes itself where you go with this RAW Underground, and eventually, maybe you get the RAW Underground champion and then in walks Brock Lesnar, ready to just take that title of the best fighter in the WWE. I think it would be a great way to get to this Lashley-Lesnar match or maybe it's more of a fight than we've been hearing so much about that Lashley has been pushing for. Maybe make Lashley the RAW Underground Champion and then Lesnar shows up to challenge him for the crown. To me that's too obvious, that would be the direction to go."
#1 Reason why RAW Superstar Charlotte Flair was alienated by the locker room
RAW announcer Byron Saxton recently spoke to Corey Graves on the latter's 'After The Bell' podcast and talked about how Charlotte Flair had to face a lot of bias and alienation backstage when she arrived in WWE.
"The first day she walked in, you could see people alienate her because her last name was Flair. 'Oh, she got here because of her dad. She got here because of her legacy,' but she had to work her butt off, and that's someone else who, like the Charlotte Flair, 'The Queen' today was not 'The Queen' back then. She was struggling to figure out who she was, and bam! Just, you know, skyrocketed from there." (H/T WrestlingInc)
RAW Superstar Charlotte Flair has had to endure the accusations of being preferred merely due to being Ric Flair's daughter. However, those are untrue as The Queen has shown time and again why she is one of the most reliable and hard-working female Superstars on the roster today.
The 12-time Champion is off recovering from surgery right now, and we hope she returns to Monday Night RAW very soon.
