Top SmackDown Rumors: Superstar fired because of COVID-19 related issues; Botched elimination at Royal Rumble; Shinsuke Nakamura's future; Murphy's absence (12th February)

#2 Reason behind Murphy's absence on SmackDown

✨ @WWE_Murphy ✨ pic.twitter.com/6z2nkhD4Ls

— WWE (@WWE) December 14, 2020

Murphy seemed to be in the midst of a major push on WWE SmackDown after aligning himself with the Mysterio family. As per reports, the plan was to have a feud between Murphy, Rey Mysterio, and Dominik Mysterio going against King Corbin, Wesley Blake, and Steve Cutler.

However, with Cutler being released by WWE, the plans came to an abrupt halt. As per Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio, SmackDown's creative team has nothing for Murphy as of now.

According to Meltzer, WWE doesn't have anything for Murphy at the moment, and that is why he hasn't been seen on TV lately. Steve Cutler's WWE release hampered WWE's plans for Murphy, as per Meltzer.

Murphy and Aalyah Mysterio have not been seen on SmackDown for weeks and only Rey Mysterio and his son, Dominik, have been feuding with King Corbin as of late.

@WWE_Murphy VS @TonyNese Awesome Cruiserweight Title Match #WWENXT #WWE #wrestling pic.twitter.com/NLAfPg4ddn

— J-Ronin (@collier_jaron) May 22, 2020

With Seth Rollins set to return to SmackDown this week, there is a chance that Murphy might return to resume his feud with his former mentor.