Creative Choices Keep Leading WWE Raw Star Off Tonight’s Show

Heading into the Bad Blood PLE on the first weekend of October, it appears one of the event’s key figures will be absent from Monday’s “WWE Raw” in Portland, Oregon. According to a report from PWInsider’s Elite section, Drew McIntyre, who has been embroiled in a heated rivalry with CM Punk for several months, is not backstage at the event.

He is scheduled to compete in a Hell in a Cell match against Punk at Bad Blood, but PWI indicates that his absence is due to creative decisions rather than an injury. Many in WWE speculated that McIntyre might miss last week’s show—where Punk was also absent—to attend the premiere of his first Hollywood film, “The Killer’s Game,” with former WWE star Dave Bautista.

However, the former World Heavyweight Champion was reportedly instructed that his presence was mandatory for “Raw” last week, where he had an in-ring segment with General Manager Adam Pearce to promote their upcoming match in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 5.

While McIntyre won’t appear on Monday’s “Raw,” his opponent Punk will be present. WWE has advertised Punk for the show, which comes two weeks after he endured a vicious assault by McIntyre while expressing his desire to challenge GUNTHER for the World Heavyweight Championship. During their feud, McIntyre not only returned but also destroyed the friendship bracelet that featured Punk’s wife and dog’s names.

The brutal attack culminated with Punk being loaded into an ambulance, while McIntyre intensified the assault by tearing off Punk’s neck brace. WWE.com has confirmed that Punk is expected to discuss his upcoming Hell in a Cell match with McIntyre on Monday night.