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Welcome to another edition of the top RAW rumors that could have a major impact on the Red brand. This week on RAW, we saw the aftermath of the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view.
Despite winning the HIAC match against Drew McIntyre on Sunday, Bobby Lashley stepped inside the monstrous structure once again on Monday Night RAW. We will discuss why WWE decided to have yet another HIAC match - the fourth since Friday.
This article will also take a look at Brock Lesnar's current status with WWE and when he may be returning. Plus, the reason behind the absence of a top star and return date for a major name.
#5 Details about former RAW Superstar Brock Lesnar's possible return
The speculation regarding The Beast Incarnate's return to WWE has been rampant of late. The former RAW Superstar has been missing after he lost the WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 36.
With rumors suggesting that John Cena is set to face Roman Reigns at SummerSlam this year, there was hopefulness about Brock Lesnar returning for a match against Bobby Lashley for the show as well.
However, there has been a lot of confusion over Lesnar's apparent return as Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has said that there are no concrete plans in regards to him returning anytime soon.
''SummerSlam would also make sense but right now that’s still not anything agreed to nor expected at this point,'' stated Dave Meltzer.
Fightful Select, on the other hand, have noted that Brock Lesnar is currently in talks with WWE for a return.
According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, WWE and Brock Lesnar are once again talking about how "The Beat Incarnate" could return to the company. The report notes that the creative team already has plans in place for Lesnar.
#4 Reason for Damian Priest being absent on RAW
Damian Priest looked like a potential top future star during his feud with The Miz on RAW. However, The Archer of Infamy has not been seen on RAW for the past few weeks.
Dave Meltzer of The Observer stated that Priest has a back issue which could be responsible for him missing time. Fightful Select (via CSS) has said that there is no injury issue but a lack of creative plans responsible for Priest not being used on RAW.
Meltzer also said Damian Priest has a bad back and that could be why he’s been missing from WWE television of late but Fightful Select claims it’s not a back issue and he’s been gone due to other reasons.
#3 Who came up with Nikki Cross' superhero gimmick on RAW?
Paranormal monsters, supernatural puppets, zombie lumberjacks and now a female superhero - WWE's RAW continues to bewilder fans with outrageous storylines.
Former Women's Tag Team Champion Nikki Cross debuted her new superhero gimmick on RAW this week. Dressed in a superhero costume complete with a mask, she reminded fans of The Hurricane. The gimmick, however, seemed juvenile and outdated. Nikki Cross' husband Killian Dain revealed that the gimmick was her own idea.
She had an idea and saw it brought to life. Very excited to see whats next! Go go Nikki!!!!
#2 Bray Wyatt set to return on RAW
Former WWE Champion Bray Wyatt has not been seen on RAW since the episode after WrestleMania 37. It was believed that Wyatt will be in a program with his former associate Alexa Bliss, but he vanished from the Red brand instead.
He is now rumored to be returning to RAW in August this year. Reports had stated that the only reason for Bray Wyatt's absence was that WWE did not want to use him.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported that The Fiend is set to return on RAW for the August 9th episode, as per the promotional material for the event.
The Fiend is advertised for the August 9 Raw. Edge is advertised for the September 3 Smackdown. Both from on sale ticketing promo material.
#1 Reason for Hell in a Cell match on RAW
This week on RAW, Xavier Woods competed in his first-ever Hell in a Cell match against WWE Champion Bobby Lashley. It was rumored that the USA Network was not happy that FOX got a Hell in a Cell match on television when Roman Reigns faced Rey Mysterio inside the devilish structure last week on SmackDown.
As per PWInsider, the reason why Hell in Cell matches have taken place on live television instead of pay-per-view is because WWE wants to please their TV partners as a way to get more attention before they resume touring.
