Brock Lesnar’s Raw “No-Show” Still Unclear + Original Raw Plan

Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman were part of the original Raw script and were scheduled to be there last night. There was a lengthy back and forth segment between Reigns, Lesnar and Heyman, with the script calling for Lesnar to call Reigns a “bitch” at one point, according to PWInsider.

However, at some point late in the day, the script was re-written to have Reigns go solo. Though Reigns played it up as a “shoot,” his promo was largely scripted and everything he said was pre-approved.

Neither Brock Lesnar or Paul Heyman were in Anaheim for Raw, despite being advertised for the show. Brock Lesnar was in Las Vegas on Sunday, which was where Elimination Chamber took place. Lesnar of course met with UFC president Dana White and took a photo with him.

There is lots of speculation on what may have happened last night, with some speculating that WWE could have been upset about the Dana White picture and decided to tell Lesnar to not show up, then re-wrote the segment to “shoot” on him. Lesnar likely is flirting with UFC in an attempt to get the best possible deal he can get, whether it’s from WWE or UFC, just like he did last time.

However, the most likely scenario, according to Dave Meltzer, is that WWE decided to change the plans for the segment because they felt that it would work better for the Lesnar vs. Reigns feud. When Roman Reigns came out, he was heavily booed, but throughout the segment, as he cut his “shoot” promo on Lesnar, the crowd began to cheer him and turn on Lesnar for being a “part time guy.” WWE apparently wants to sell the feud as as much of a “shoot” as possible. Meltzer speculates that someone came up with the change of plans and WWE just told Lesnar and Heyman to not come to the show.

Lesnar is next advertised for Raw on March 12.

In another sign that this is just a planned storyline by WWE, WWE.com posted a story about Lesnar and Heyman not showing up, saying that “Heyman has not responded to requests for comment.”

Paul @HeymanHustle has some explaining to do regarding @BrockLesnar's absence from #RAW last night…or does he? https://t.co/F5PvlDoguP’t-brock-lesnar-on-raw-as-scheduled?sf183101218=1

— WWE (@WWE) February 27, 2018

Cute spin @WWE. By the way, the link doesn't work. How will YOU explain THAT? https://t.co/vkfF31UiXT

— Paul Heyman (@HeymanHustle) February 27, 2018