Backstage news from major WWE RAW angle - Reports

Action on the WWE RAW brand is heating up as the company prepares for the big Netflix launch in January. A certain rivalry between monsters is becoming one of the more intense storylines on the main roster, and new details from backstage are being revealed after another showdown on this week's RAW.

Bronson Reed received a push earlier this summer as a dominant big-man heel on the red brand. This led to a feud with Braun Strowman, which has now brought chaos to the show. The three-hundred-plus-pound superstars have smashed their way through the ringside area, backstage, and to the parking lots. Strowman's fury increased after Reed eliminated his chance at the Intercontinental Championship.

The Monster of All Monsters and The King of Monsters were scheduled to face off in singles action on this week's RAW but they began brawling even before the bell rang. Reed missed a corner splash, and that brought down the top turnbuckle to loosen the ring ropes. The fight ended up backstage as Bronson splashed Braun through tables, but then Strowman tackled Reed through a wall backstage.

There had been some speculation on Strowman and Reed having called an audible due to the ring rope. However, Fightful Select has confirmed that the rope break spot was always planned. This was a setup spot, and the whole angle was always scheduled to happen across just one segment, not a full match.

Strowman and Reed were generally praised online for Monday's segment, but there was some negative feedback over the wall spot. The segment was produced by Kenn Doane, fka Kenny Dykstra.

WWE has not confirmed when Braun vs. Bronson II will take place. The heavyweights have only shared the ring three times: the 2023 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal; the Money in the Bank Triple Threat Qualifier in June, won by Chad Gable; their first-ever singles match on August 26, which ended in a No Contest at seven-and-a-half minutes due to the brawl moving to the parking lot.

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WWE RAW lineup for next week

CM Punk is set to appear on next week's WWE RAW to further his rivalry with Drew McIntyre. WWE has not announced Punk for the show, but he is being advertised on the official website.

The September 23 WWE RAW will be the final episode before the Bad Blood go-home edition. Below is the current lineup for next week so far:

1. Drew McIntyre will appear to address CM Punk
2. Sami Zayn vs. Ludwig Kaiser
3. Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Jey Uso

Monday's RAW is scheduled to air live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. The following superstars are also advertised to appear: Gunther, Liv Morgan, Dominik Mysterio, Rhea Ripley, and The Miz.