Missing in Action: Notable Absentees from this week's WWE


(Photo credit: Megan Elice Meadows)

Raw

The Big Show: Last seen on the June 4 episode of Raw.

Brock Lesnar: Last seen at the Greatest Royal Rumble.

Chad Gable: Last seen on the July 9 episode of Raw.

Curt Hawkins: Last seen on the July 9 episode of Raw.

Dash Wilder: Last seen on the July 9 episode of Raw.

Dean Ambrose: Last seen on the December 18 episode of Raw. He is out of action due to a triceps injury.

Fandango: Last seen on the June 11 episode of Raw. He is out of action due to a torn labrum.

Goldust: Last seen at the Greatest Royal Rumble. He is out of action due to knee surgery.

Heath Slater: Last seen on the June 18 episode of Raw.

Jason Jordan: Last seen on the February 5 episode of Raw. He is out of action due to a neck injury.

Jinder Mahal: Last seen on the July 9 episode of Raw.

Mike Kanellis: Last seen on the July 9 episode of Raw.

Natalya: Last seen on the July 9 episode of Raw.

Nia Jax: Last seen on the July 9 episode of Raw.

No Way Jose: Last seen on the July 9 episode of Raw.

Rhyno: Last seen on the July 9 episode of Raw.

Ruby Riott: Last seen on the June 25 episode of Raw. Out of action due to an MCL sprain.

Sami Zayn: Last seen at Money in the Bank. He is out of action due to two torn rotator cuffs.

Scott Dawson: Last seen on the July 9 episode of Raw.

Zack Ryder: Last seen on the July 9 episode of Raw.

205 Live

Ariya Daivari: Last seen at the Greatest Royal Rumble.

Buddy Murphy: Last seen on the June 10 episode of 205 Live.

Gran Metalik: Last seen on the June 10 episode of 205 Live.

Hideo Itami: Last seen on the June 10 episode of 205 Live.

Lince Dorado: Last seen on the June 10 episode of 205 Live.

Kalisto: Last seen on the June 10 episode of 205 Live.

Mustafa Ali: Last seen on the June 10 episode of 205 Live.

Tony Nese: Last seen on the June 10 episode of 205 Live.

SmackDown Live

Cesaro: Last seen on the May 29 episode of SmackDown Live.

Charlotte Flair: Last seen at Money in the Bank.

Epico: Last seen on the November 21 episode of SmackDown Live.

Jey Uso: Last seen on the July 3 episode of SmackDown Live.

Jimmy Uso: Last seen on the July 3 episode of SmackDown Live.

Karl Anderson: Last seen on the June 5 episode of SmackDown Live.

Luke Gallows: Last seen on the June 5 episode of SmackDown Live.

Naomi: Last seen on the July 10 episode of SmackDown Live.

Primo: Last seen at the Greatest Royal Rumble.

R-Truth: Last seen on the April 17 episode of SmackDown Live.

Sheamus: Last seen on the May 29 episode of SmackDown Live.

Shelton Benjamin: Last seen on the June 12 episode of SmackDown Live.

Tamina: Last seen at the Royal Rumble.

Returning this week

Raw

Alicia FoxRonda RouseyTyler Breeze

205 Live

The Brian KendrickDrew GulakJack Gallagher

SmackDown Live

Randy OrtonSamoa Joe

Absence by Streak

31 weeks: Dean Ambrose25 weeks: Tamina23 weeks: Jason Jordan12 weeks: Brock Lesnar, Goldust, Ariya Daivari, Primo, R-Truth7 weeks: The Big Show, Cesaro, Sheamus, Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows6 weeks: Fandango5 weeks: Sami Zayn, Shelton Benjamin, Charlotte Flair4 weeks: Heath Slater3 weeks: Ruby Riott, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso2 weeks: Buddy Murphy, Chad Gable, Curt Hawkins, Dash Wilder, Gran Metalik, Hideo Itami, Jinder Mahal, Lince Dorado, Kalisto, Mustafa Ali, Mike Kanellis, Natalya, Nia Jax, No Way Jose, Rhyno, Scott Dawson, Tony Nese, Zack Ryder1 week: Naomi

Most Notable Return: Randy Orton

Randy Orton made his return to WWE programming at Extreme Rules by interrupting Shinsuke Nakamura's celebration after he won the United States Championship.... and then following that up with a vicious attack on former champion Jeff Hardy. He did the same on SmackDown Live by dragging Jeff Hardy out of a pinfall attempt, a mere second before Jeff would have won back the title. Having Orton back, especially as a heel, could definitely give SmackDown Live more of a reason to watch it, just to see what happens next.

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