Top RAW Rumors: Uncertainty over Bray Wyatt's future, Vince McMahon sent a 'message' to the roster by making a big name job? WWE's next Goldberg (21st July)

Welcome to another edition of the top RAW rumors that could have a major impact on the red brand. This week, RAW finally returned to an arena filled with a live crowd, and WWE made sure that fans remained excited from start to finish.

Former Universal Champion Goldberg appeared to challenge WWE Champion, Bobby Lashley. Apart from that, we also saw Nikki A.S.H. winning the RAW Women's Championship by cashing in her recently won MITB contract. Nikki was reportedly rewarded for coming up with her superhero gimmick.

NXT Champion Karrion Kross made his RAW debut as well, only to lose to Jeff Hardy. We will talk about the reason behind that and much more in this edition of the top RAW rumors:

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#5 Update regarding Bray Wyatt's future on RAW

I miss you guys too. Believe me

— Bray Wyatt (@WWEBrayWyatt) July 15, 2021

'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt has been absent from WWE since the first RAW after WrestleMania 37. He lost to Randy Orton after being betrayed by Alexa Bliss at The Show of Shows. It was believed he would feud with Alexa Bliss. However, Wyatt was abruptly removed from RAW soon after.

PWInsider's Mike Johnson has noted there is still no date for Bray Wyatt's return. He stated that the RAW Superstar is being held off for a specific reason that is unrelated to any creative issue.

"WWE sources have remained quiet about Wyatt's circumstances beyond the idea that he's being held off for a specific reason. The belief among some is that it's not a creative issue," noted Mike Johnson.

The report also highlighted how Bray Wyatt has not performed for WWE since December 2020, with the only exception being his WrestleMania 37 match.

Wyatt recently broke character and sent out a tweet saying that he misses the WWE Universe. It is still not clear if it was a cryptic message or if he had hinted towards a possible return.

#4 Reason why Karrion Kross lost on WWE RAW

NXT Champion Karrion Kross made his RAW debut this week. However, it did not go as he or his fans might have thought it would. NXT's top name lost to Jeff Hardy in under five minutes via a rollup.

This booking decision has perplexed the WWE Universe and many speculated as to why Karrion Kross would be jobbed out in his recent match on RAW. A source of Fightful Select said that the NXT locker room feels Vince McMahon has sent a "message" to the roster by having Karrion Kross lose.

''On Fightful's post-RAW review show, Sean Ross Sapp stated that he received a message from an NXT source who felt like it was a "message being sent" from Vince McMahon to NXT.'' (H/t: Sportskeeda's Zain Jafri)

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#3 Veteran writer on Becky Lynch possibly going to SmackDown

There have been rumors suggesting that Becky Lynch will return to RAW soon. However, the former RAW Women's Champion is unlikely to return until SummerSlam.

Speaking on Sportskeeda's Legion of RAW, Vince Russo highlighted how WWE may want Becky Lynch to join SmackDown as her husband Seth Rollins is there. He said this move would significantly upset the USA Network.

''Bro, if she goes to SmackDown because Seth is on SmackDown. Bro, if I'm a USA Executive, I'll be like, 'Are you kidding me?' So you know, bro, there are already some issues there, to begin with," stated Russo.

Should Becky Lynch return to RAW or SmackDown? Tell us below!

#2 WWE may have found the next Goldberg

Goldberg returned to RAW this week. Love him or hate him, there is no denying that the former world champion is still a major draw. His returns have become a big attraction for WWE and help in gaining more attention from casual fans.

Talking about part-timers, Vince Russo said on Legion of RAW that he believes Edge could fill Goldberg's position in WWE. He believes names like John Cena and Batista are bonafide movie stars now and will not be able to come to WWE frequently.

''The next guy in the Goldberg spot is Edge. That's the next guy. So, my question is, 'Okay, bro, who is after Edge?' It ain't going to be Cena,'' stated Russo.

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#1 Former RAW Women's Champion Rhea Ripley is a babyface now

Rhea Ripley has become the focal point of RAW's women's division in a short span. However, her character has always treaded a thin line between being a full-fledged babyface and a heel. Mike Johnson of PWInsider noted that Ripley is now seen as a babyface on RAW:

"Going forward, Rhea Ripley is considered a babyface. This had quietly happened over the last few weeks but we are told it was made clear internally that going forward, she is now 100% a babyface. Ripley was initially brought in as a heel."

Ripley lost the RAW Women's Championship to Charlotte Flair at Money in the Bank, who then lost the gold to Nikki A.S.H. the very next night.