Report: Update On Elias' WWE Absence

Elias' absence from WWE TV continues and The Drifter hasn't appeared on Monday Night Raw or Friday Night SmackDown since he tossed his trademark guitar into a fire and announced Elias was dead, hinting a repackaging was on the horizon. 

That repackaging would have seen Elias return with colourful trunks and presumably with a new name too but that plan was scrapped by Vince McMahon in 2021 as the WWE chairman thought The Drifter's new gear was too similar to that of 'Macho Man' Randy Savage. 

Since then, Elias has remained on the sidelines but his return might not be too far away.

Fightful Select reported that as of late, Elias vignettes had been filmed and he was tentatively scheduled to return to Monday Night Raw. That "doesn't really mean anything until firm plans are set", though. 

A name change for Elias was also pitched but there is no word on if WWE will press ahead with the change. 

Elias has been with WWE since 2014 and he is a former 24/7 Champion.