PWP Nation’s Zak Fellows explains why Braun Strowman might be a big deal soon, but not so fast.
As many of you are no doubt aware, and if not you may read so here, when Braun Strowman originally started out on the main WWE roster I had him pegged as a Monster of the Month, an obstacle to be built and overcome by a babyface to assert his opponents position. The signs and symptoms of the New Face of Destruction have made my perception very difficult to put aside.
When a Big man debuts out of nowhere and is placed in a position of dominance against a top/rising babyface and is made out to be a force that needs to be stopped we, as fans, tend to draw parallels and comparisons especially when it is a road we have traveled down many times.
For a short while, it seemed as if that was what Strowman was going to be: an obstacle for Roman Reigns to overcome on a PPV match en-route to his inevitable world title and main eventer push (hell it became something of a running joke between myself and a select few of my PWP colleagues).
And yet, here we are almost half a year later and not only has Strowman NOT faced Roman Reigns neither has he faced any other top babyface by himself on a big stage. He has gone on to become a great addition to the Wyatt Family and, while he is still very much a work in progress as a performer, fans generally do not see him as a detriment to the overall image and perception of his union with Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper and Erick Rowan.
So the recent rumour making the rounds, and by rumour I mean “Thing that sprung to mind first” from content managers, is that Strowman will be the Undertaker’s opponent for WrestleMania since John Cena is still unavailable. Vocal sections of wrestling fans are not in favour of it due to Strowman’s in development status and Undertaker’s schedule being what it is.
To speak rather bluntly: Braun Strowman is on his way, but isn’t ready just yet.
I wouldn’t have a problem with the Undertaker facing Strowman, because it’s WrestleMania 32 AKA you’re going to watch it anyway, but I wouldn’t be interested in it because, despite liking Strowman I am not really invested in him by himself to a great degree and it would devolve into what I always suspected i.e. Strowman being used to make Undertaker look good.
Part of the reason why he has been able to improve upon himself and for fans to become interested in him is that he was given an advantage of a stomping ground in a way. By being with the Wyatt Family, fans have been exposed to him and his own abilities and characteristics within the confines of an act that the majority is into allowing him to slowly become what WWE wants him to be… hell that’s pretty much what the Shield was to Roman Reigns.
We are, however, less than 6 months into Strowman’s run in WWE and we aren’t in desperate need for him to be ready as soon as possible especially when he fits the mold and compliment his fellow faction members. Why rush him into a match with Undertaker one on one, just so the Deadman can have something to do at the biggest show on the calendar, when he can be placed in a position where he can continue to be built up alongside his teammates?
Perhaps that’s the big criticism surrounding the idea of the match happening and don’t get me wrong: You want to build up Strowman to be a major figure in the foreseeable future great, appreciate the efforts and maybe he will step up against the Undertaker and live up to his role in the match but let’s not get carried away.
As to what Strowman’s potential position once he, inevitably, leaves the Wyatt Family and goes solo? Well, a thought came to mind when I was watching the Royal Rumble on which he participated in and he went face to face with Big Show. As we watch an industry who’s fan base loves to make comparisons, “Like so and so is the next whatever” even if it is for the most minuscule of comparisons (name all the things that Eric Young has in common with Daniel Bryan and then explain why his title win is TNA copying WWE) I thought: Braun Strowman could supplement and replace the Big Show once he retires.
And when I say that, do not take that as he should out and out copy everything about our favourite big knucklehead from the bald head, singlets and wild mood swings I’m more talking about how he is booked (minus the turns): He can be THE big man on the roster, people will flock to see him in person (Strowman is billed as 6 ft. 8 in for the record not outstanding but still fairly big) and do his power moves with his size being the emphasis brought to our attention by the commentary team. We may have gone through several interchangeable big men since Andre the Giant but we have seen with a handful of wrestlers since, not everyone is different but the same.
In closing, Braun Strowman does have a future; I would even go as far to say he has done great in shedding the skin and template of a Monster of the Month to become something of a mainstay that could transition to success and recognition outside of the Wyatt Family. But I do feel his ability is not completely tapped into yet and he is still very much in a state of improvement (No wrestler is perfect despite how much gushing will try to convince you of that).
Right now, he is fine in his faction, his strengths derive from them and it will soon be up to him to take those strengths and make them his own. And just in case you were thinking of an alternative to Strowman vs. Undertaker:
Brock Lesnar, The Undertaker, Kane and The Big Show vs. the Wyatt Family in an 8 Man no DQ elimination tag match for WrestleMania 32.
[Zak Fellows totally came up with that idea by himself.]
Thanks, JCD.