Top RAW Rumors: Top name accused of backstage politics; Former Universal Champion told McMahon he was 'going home' unless WWE made changes; Lesnar return plans (20th July)

With Horror Show at Extreme Rules over, RAW will begin the build for SummerSlam this week. SummerSlam is the second biggest WWE PPV and even though it will be taking place at the Performance Center, WWE will have some big plans for the show.

On today's edition of the big RAW backstage rumors that can have a major impact, we will take a look at what the future holds for top Superstars like Brock Lesnar and Edge, and when they might return to WWE.

Apart from that, we will address the backstage altercations taking place between Superstars and management. So without further ado, let us jump into the biggest backstage rumors for RAW:

#5 Gallows and Anderson call out former RAW creative head Paul Heyman

Former WWE Superstars Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson went full-throttle on the latest edition of the Talk 'N Shop Mania. The former RAW Tag-Team Champions blasted the former RAW Executive Director, Paul Heyman. The two stated that Heyman was a liar and responsible for their poor run in the company.

They accused Paul Heyman of manipulating them and assuring them constantly even though he just wanted to bury them. They stated that even though they've had good conversations with Heyman, he was just bullsh** them.

Anderson remembers having a great talk with Paul Heyman around this time and he thought that Heyman was a big fan of him. Gallows said, “Paul Heyman loves your work.” Gallows said Heyman is “100 percent full of bulls**t. (H/T: WrestlingNews)

They also revealed that Heyman wanted them both to take a double-stacked pin at the hands of Drew McIntyre. He stated that it wouldn't hurt them in the long run.

Prior to their release, Anderson remembers being called to Raw because Paul Heyman wanted McIntyre to stack pin both Anderson and Gallows at the same time. Heyman said that this would not hurt them in the long run. Gallows said Heyman is a “lying motherf****r.”

#4 Reason why AJ Styles left Monday Night RAW to join SmackDown

There were reports stating that AJ Styles had chosen to leave RAW after his friends Gallows and Anderson were fired. The reason was that former RAW creative head Paul Heman was allegedly the man behind these firings and AJ Styles did not want to work with him after having a heated conversation.

AJ Styles recently stated that these rumors were untrue and he didn't want to work with Heyman because he is a "liar".

''When it came to the rumor of Paul Heyman and me being upset with him because he didn't take up for Gallows and Anderson before they got released, that's not what it was at all. Not even close. I'll give you a snippet, what me Gallows, and Anderson already know. He's a liar. Now you know, I'm sure you have heard that going back to his ECW days, you'll hear that. He's a bold-faced liar.''

Gallows and Anderson confirmed on the Talk 'N Shop that AJ Styles had confronted Heyman about their firing as Vince McMahon had himself admitted that Heyman had asked for The OC to be released.

#3 Return plans for Brock Lesnar on RAW

Brock Lesnar has been missing from RAW ever since he was beaten by Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 36. As per Dave Meltzer of WON, the reason behind Lesnar putting over Drew McIntyre in such a strong manner was because he had no intention of returning anytime soon.

Meltzer also stated that the rumors about Brock Lesnar returning at SummerSlam may be false. It is much more likely that The Scottish Psychopath will take on Randy Orton at SummerSlam instead of a rematch with Brock Lesnar.

Here is what Dave Meltzer stated on the Observer:

''Lesnar is not scheduled for this year’s SummerSlam show. One of the reasons he put over McIntyre so strongly was because he was not coming back any time soon. Heyman has not been brought to television since he was let go as head of Raw creative. Most signs point to McIntyre vs. Orton as the SummerSlam main event''

Some reports have suggested that WWE plans on having Randy Orton become the next WWE Champion.

#2 RAW Superstar Kevin Owens confronted Vince McMahon over the mask policy

POST wrestling recently reported that it was RAW Superstar Kevin Owens who was behind the implementation of the mask policy in WWE. It was stated by Les anti-pods de la Lutte that Kevin Owens told Vince McMahon he was going home as he didn't feel safe.

Vince McMahon asked for Kevin Owens' advice on the matter and The Prizefighter told the Chairman that the company needs to have stricter rules. He stated that masks and social distancing must be made mandatory and the only person the crew will listen to is McMahon himself.

While speaking to Sports Illustrated, Kevin Owens corroborated the rumors and admitted that he was behind the new policy of the company.

''We thought it was the right time to quarantine and practice safe guidelines. Last week, I saw the measures that the company was taking, from the testing to the splitting up the crews to make sure Raw and SmackDown wouldn’t be there the same day, and sending out very clear very indications that masks were required unless we were in the ring.''

#1 Return plans for RAW Superstar Edge

Edge hurt his triceps during his match with Randy Orton at Backlash. The Rater R Superstar needed to get surgery done and will likely be out of action for the coming months. There is no word on when he may return to RAW.

As per some reports, WWE plans to have RAW Superstar Randy Orton win the WWE Championship so that the third match between Orton and Edge is for the Championship.

However, Tom Colohue has reported that WWE doesn't have any plans for Edge as of now. He speculated that Edge may wait till Royal Rumble to make his return.

"They haven't scripted anything for Edge's return yet which I think is the right move. It is obviously a difficult injury. As well as the fact that he wants to get back to work now can injure him again or he can sustain other injuries. So they want to be careful, they don't want to push it too hard because Edge isn't someone who would push himself a little too hard. It is possible that he will make another Triumphant Royal Rumble return which might get the same exact pop so why not do it again."

We hope that the Rater R Superstar returns to the ring soon!