Kevin Owens and Randy Orton both made surprise returns at WWE SummerSlam 2026.
WWE
WWE Raw after SummerSlam 2026 emanates from Des Moines, Iowa following an entertaining weekend of shows including a pair of memorable main events. WWE SummerSlam 2026 saw the returns of Randy Orton and Kevin Owens, which will impact the SmackDown roster more than Raw, however Raw after big evets tend to be all hands on deck. After two returns from top stars, the most intriguing return this week will be the return of former NXT tag team champion Big Cass.
Big Cass Returns To WWE Raw
WWE Raw advertised Big Cass in his return to WWE after a stint in AEW where he got physically and emotionally ready for his return by putting on muscle and embracing his sobriety. Big Cass’ previous run in WWE looked promising after he turned on Enzo Amore and was set up for a monster heel run. The push featured a one-sided victory over his former tag team partner at Great Balls of Fire in 2017 and an elusive program with future WWE Hall of Fame Daniel Bryan. Unfortunately, Big Cass fumbled his moment and violently tumbled down the card. Big Cass bottomed out during a segment alongside a mini Daniel Bryan where Cass went off script during a beatdown of the microbrawler. Cass was released from WWE in 2018 amid personal struggles with addiction.
“Even if you haven’t reached the top, you have no idea just how far you can fall,” said the former AEW star and member of Chris Jericho’s Learning Tree.
Cass’ WWE flameout is now being used to tell an art-imitating-life story of redemption and second chances. During his AEW run as Big Bill, Big Cass was in the best shape of his life and he was a solid performer when given the chance. Of course, at almost seven-feet tall, Big Cass had no chance of becoming a top star in AEW, which favors junior heavyweight wrestlers and smaller talent. No AEW world champion has ever been taller than 6’4, and if you take out Samoa Joe—who spiritually wrestles like a smaller talent—the heaviest AEW world champion in history is Hangman Adam Page (229 lbs.)
The writing is on the wall in AEW for every big man underneath its sub-six-foot glass ceiling, including Big Cass who has now earned a second lease on life in the company where he became a star. WWE has aired a series of vignettes about Big Cass’ personal struggles and how he plans on making the most of his return, much like Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes and new United States champion Baron Corbin.
Whether or not Enzo Amore joins Big Cass in his redemption arc remains to be seen, but WWE has a long history of wrestlers using second chances to make themselves into the first priority, especially in this era.
Needless to say, this history favors Big Cass.
AEW World Championship stats by the numbers.
Grok
WWE Raw Results | August 3, 2026
- Big Cass Returns
- WWE SummerSlam 2026 fallout
WWE Raw Ratings And Viewership
- July 20, 2026 | 2.4 million global views
- July 13, 2026 | 2.4 million global views
- July 6, 2026 | 2.5 million global views
- June 29, 2026 | 2.3 million global views
- June 22, 2026 | 2.3 million global views
WWE Raw Ticket Sales | Where Is WWE Raw?
- WWE Raw Venue: Casey’s Center (Des Moines, Ia.)
- WWE Raw Ticket Sales: 5,855
WWE Raw Results, Winners And Highlights With Big Cass
Check for live updates and coverage of WWE Raw starting 5:00 pm PST.