Reason behind major WWE RAW betrayal revealed - Reports

The Road to WWE SummerSlam has been packed with twists. The heat was turned up on this week's RAW as a surprise turn went down. Sources are now reporting details on why officials are going in this contentious direction.

The Brawling Brutes formed in November 2021 with Sheamus leading Butch, aka Pete Dunne, and Ridge Holland, on WWE SmackDown. The group split while Sheamus was injured, and Holland returned to NXT while Dunne reunited with Tyler Bate to form the New Catch Republic. Sheamus finally returned in April, but The Brutes kept their distance for the most part.

The Bruiserweight lost to Bronson Reed on the July 8 episode of RAW. The Celtic Warrior saved Dunne after the match and cleared the ring of Big Bronson, but Dunne backed away from an embrace as he seemed upset over the end of their faction. Sheamus defeated Reed this week, and now it was Dunne stopping a post-match attack. The Dublin native tried to shake Dunne's hand, but the Birmingham native left. Sheamus then turned to leave, but Pete attacked from behind, allowing Reed to flatten Sheamus with a Tsunami.

WWE officials are now building to the first-ever Sheamus vs. Pete Dunne match. The decision to book a feud between the UK brawlers was made within the last two weeks. A new report from Fightful Select adds that WWE officials went with the hard-hitting feud due to Tyler Bate's pec injury.

A program between Sheamus and Dunne was finalized after Bate suffered a torn pec during NXT on July 2. The injury was confirmed during RAW on July 8. WWE officials decided they would keep Dunne on TV during Bate's hiatus, even before approving plans for Dunne vs. Sheamus.

Bate and Dunne have been teaming up as New Catch Republic on both brands, but it was just revealed that Big Strong Boi will be out of action for several more months. Chris Park, aka Abyss, produced Monday's RAW match and segment with Sheamus, Dunne, and Reed. He also produced the recent Dunne vs. Reed match.

---

CM Punk and others set for WWE RAW

World Wrestling Entertainment will return to the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin, for next week's RAW. This will be the final red brand episode before the SummerSlam go-home show.

CM Punk has been announced for RAW in Green Bay. This will be Punk's first appearance since the July 8 episode, where he demanded a match with Drew McIntyre, just two days after costing The Scottish Warrior his cash-in at Money In the Bank.

Despite McIntyre's storyline suspension and Punk's injury status, WWE is rumored to confirm the two for a SummerSlam match soon.

Two matches were also confirmed for next week's RAW. Lyra Valkyria will face Sonya Deville for the first time, and The Final Testament's Karrion Kross, Akam, and Rezar will fight Otis, Akira Tozawa, and Xavier Woods.