With SmackDown's pay per view Clash of Champions coming up and Raw just putting on some filler shows leading up to the Royal Rumble, these are the superstars that WWE neglected to use on their weekly programming this week.
Most Notable Absence: WWE Champion AJ Styles
This week's notable absence was the WWE Champion AJ Styles. With Raw's world champion Brock Lesnar on a part-time contract, WWE cannot really afford to keep SmackDown's top champion off the weekly shows as well. AJ Styles is a big draw, is a big fan favorite, and he is the WWE Champion. With him being the main champion of the company, he needs to be featured weekly and WWE made a mistake by leaving him off SmackDown Live this week.
Monday Night Raw
Big Cass: Last seen on the August 21st episode of Raw. He is out of action due to a knee injury.
Brock Lesnar: Last seen at Survivor Series.
The Big Show: Last seen on the September 4th episode of Raw.
Curt Hawkins: Last seen on the November 14th episode of SmackDown Live.
Dash Wilder: Last seen on the October 23rd episode of Raw.
Dana Brooke: Last seen on the November 27th episode of Raw.
Heath Slater: Last seen on the October 30th episode of Raw.
Goldust: Last seen on the November 14th episode of Raw.
Jeff Hardy: Last seen on the September 25th episode of Raw. He is currently out of action due to a shoulder injury.
Karl Anderson: Last seen on the November 20th episode of Raw.
Luke Gallows: Last seen on the November 20th episode of Raw.
The Miz: Last seen on the November 20th episode of Raw; he is inactive as he is filming a movie.
Maryse: Last seen on the September 11th episode of Raw. Inactive as she is pregnant.
R-Truth: Last seen on the August 28th epsiode of Raw. He is suffering from an undisclosed injury.
Rhyno: Last seen on the October 30th episode of Raw.
Scott Dawson: Last seen on the August 14th episode of Raw. He is currently out due to injury.
205 Live
Kalisto: Last seen on the November 28th episode of 205 Live.
Lince Dorado: Last seen on the October 2nd episode of 205 Live.
Neville: Last seen on the October 2nd episode of Raw; he is reportedly due to return soon.
TJP: Last seen on the October 10th episode of 205 Live.
SmackDown Live
AJ Styles: Last seen on the November 28th episode of SmackDown Live.
Becky Lynch: Last seen on the November 21st episode of SmackDown Live.
Chad Gable: Last seen on the November 28th episode of SmackDown Live.
Epico: Last seen on the November 21st episode of SmackDown Live.
Fandango: Last seen on the November 28th episode of SmackDown Live.
John Cena: Last seen at Survivor Series.
Jinder Mahal: Last seen on the November 28th episode of SmackDown Live.
Konnor: Last seen on the November 28th episode of SmackDown Live.
Mike Kanellis: Last seen on the November 21st episode of SmackDown Live.
Maria Kanellis: Last seen on the August 29th episode of SmackDown Live; inactive as she is pregnant.
Mojo Rawley: Last seen on the November 28th episode of SmackDown Live.
Naomi: Last seen on the November 28th episode of SmackDown Live.
Nikki Bella: Last seen at WrestleMania 33.
Primo: Last seen on the November 21st episode of SmackDown Live.
Samir Singh: Last seen on the November 28th episode of SmackDown Live.
Sunil Singh: Last seen on the November 28th episode of SmackDown Live.
Sin Cara: Last seen on the November 21st episode of SmackDown Live.
Shelton Benjamin: Last seen on the November 28th episode of SmackDown Live.
Tye Dillinger: Last seen on the November 21st episode of SmackDown Live.
Tyler Breeze: Last seen on the November 28th episode of SmackDown Live.
Viktor: Last seen on the November 28th episode of SmackDown Live.
Zack Ryder: Last seen on the November 28th episode of SmackDown Live.
Returning this week
Monday Night Raw
Alicia FoxDean AmbroseNia JaxSheamus
205 Live
Gran Metalik
SmackDown Live
Aiden EnglishCarmellaDolph ZigglerLanaRusevShinsuke NakamuraTamina
Absence by Streak
17 weeks: Scott Dawson16 weeks: Big Cass15 weeks: Maria Kanellis14 weeks: The Big Show13 weeks: Maryse11 weeks: Jeff Hardy10 weeks: Lince Dorado, Neville9 weeks: TJP7 weeks: Dash Wilder4 weeks: Curt Hawkins, Goldust3 weeks: Epico, Mike Kanellis, Primo, Sin Cara, Tye Dillinger2 weeks: Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, The Miz, Becky Lynch1 week: Dana Brooke, Kalisto, AJ Styles, Chad Gable, Fandango, Jinder Mahal, Konnor, Mojo Rawley, Naomi, Samir Singh, Sunil Singh, Shelton Benjamin, Tyler Breeze, Viktor, Zack Ryder
Most Notable Return: Shinsuke Nakamura
This week's most notable return was Shinsuke Nakamura. He made his return following SmackDown Live's main event pitting Sami Zayn against Randy Orton, with Kevin Owens handcuffed to the ring. Halfway through the match, Owens was freed from the handcuffs and Owens and Zayn attacked Orton until Shinsuke Nakamura made the save. Soon after this match, Shane McMahon booked Owens and Zayn vs. Orton and Nakamura for Clash of Champions, with Shane as the guest referee, with the added stipulation that if Owens and Zayn lose, they are fired from WWE. Having Nakamura return to be Orton's tag partner is an interesting story, especially with them being added to the narrative for Owens and Zayn vs. Shane McMahon. Let's keep Nakamura on our weekly shows, because, let's be honest, he is one of the best superstars on the roster.
Notice a mistake in our list? Is there someone you wish WWE would use more? Let us know in the comments below!
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!
WWE 2K