Report: Why Brock Lesnar Was Absent From WWE Raw Revealed

Brock Lesnar continues to be under contract with WWE on a part-time schedule but The Beast Incarnate has been largely full-time since the beginning of 2023, having competed in the Royal Rumble before he continued his feud with Bobby Lashley at Elimination Chamber and defeated Omos at WrestleMania 39.

Lesnar was then present on the Raw after WrestleMania 39 as he turned heel for the first time since coming out of retirement in August 2021, attacking Cody Rhodes ahead of their scheduled main event match against Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa. 

Many expected Lesnar to appear on the April 10 edition of Monday Night Raw to continue his programme with Rhodes but the former WWE Champion was not in Seattle, Washington for Raw, with it being revealed that Lesnar will return next week to answer Cody's challenge to a match at Backlash on May 6. 

Travel issues did hamper Raw but those problems didn't affect Lesnar. PWInsider Elite reported that Lesnar didn't appear on Raw as he was away on a family holiday and was never scheduled to be on WWE TV this week. 

Backlash will take place on May 6 in Puerto Rico and WWE are reportedly booking Lesnar vs. Rhodes for the show as part of a promotional push to advertise Puerto Rico as a travel destination, PWInsider noted.

Backlash will be the first-ever singles match between Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar.