There’s no hiding Braun Strowman’s physicality, demand for respect, and desire to destroy everything.
But does The Monster Among Men have what it takes last in WWE, or will he be just another big guy? As a guest on Uproxx’s With Spandex Podcast, The Big Show has given his take on Braun Strowman’s career potential in WWE.
The Big Show explained that Strowman has all the right qualities to make it as one of the all-time greats, as long as he stays healthy.
He’s got the right attitude, he’s got the right intensity and hunger for it, and he understands there’s times to be a monster, and there’s also times to make other guys look good.
The Big Show explained that it’s easy to make yourself look good, but the true greats work to make others look good. He furthered this with a three step philosophy when approaching any match:
Get the match over,
Get your opponent over,
Then get yourself over.
The Big Show also emphasised the importance of versatility when it comes to big men in WWE. Being dependable against any opponent, whether they are 5’2” or 7′. And according to the veteran, Braun Strowman shows great promise and potential when moving forward.
As one of the long standing superstars in the WWE who has worked with The Undertaker throughout their career, the usual question of The Dead Man’s career was also mentioned. The Big Show was very clear with his answer, which was actually quite shocking:
“No, man, I’m telling you: the Undertaker, they don’t call him ‘The Phenom’ for nothing bro, I’m telling you. An Undertaker at 30 percent is better than most everybody else at 90 percent, I’ll tell you that much. If that makes any sense at all. He’s just that damn good.”
Opinion:
While most know what match they would want The Undertaker to return for, is it possible that WWE may set-up Braun Strowman to take on The Dead Man?
– On last night’s episode of Monday Night RAW WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore retained his title against Cedric Alexander despite losing the match via count-out. Amore suffered an injury during the match above his eye that made him bleed profusely throughout the bout. WWE posted the following video of Amore receiving stitches after the show:
– In one of the best spots on Monday Night RAW in recent memory, last night Braun Strowman brought down a huge metal structure on top of Kane and Braun Strowman backstage after laying waste to the pair in a brawl. The trio are set to meet in a Triple Threat match for the Universal Title at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view (PPV) later this month.
After the segment Brock Lesnar was taken to the hospital on a stretcher while Kane limped away from the carnage on his own power. WWE posted the following update on Lesnar and Kane:
Medical update on Brock Lesnar and Kane following Braun Strowman’s attack
After Braun Strowman used a grappling hook to tear down a lighting truss and send it crashing down on Universal Champion Brock Lesnar and Kane, WWE.com can confirm that Lesnar is undergoing examination by WWE medical personnel.
Kane, meanwhile, refused medical attention.
It is unknown how this incident will affect the Universal Championship Triple Threat Match at Royal Rumble involving all three Superstars.
Stay with WWE.com as more information becomes available.
“The Monster Among Men” Braun Strowman recently appeared on ESPN Radio’s The J&J Show to promote WWE’s upcoming episode of Monday Night RAW from Memphis, Tennessee. During the interview Strowman revealed his favorite part about being a WWE Superstar, and it turns out its the influence he has on the younger generation of WWE fans:
“When it comes to the kids, I always have time for [them]. Literally, that is my favorite part about being a WWE superstar is the influence that we get to [have] with the little ones. Just seeing their faces, walking around the arena now that, per se, I’m more liked by the crowd and almost a good guy. Just on my way out of the ring high-fiving the kids, just the looks on their face. I mean, it’s really, really special.
“There’s so many opportunities to open a kid’s eyes and show them a window of things that they’re not used to seeing. Just that little split second when I stop on my time just to give them a handshake or a high-five. That, in my opinion, leaves a lasting impression… At the end of the day, that’s the best part about all of this.”
You can listen to Strowman on The J&J Show by clicking this link here.
As we’ve noted before, WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore was held off from Monday Night RAW this week due to getting the flu. He was scheduled to defend his title against Cedric Alexander but that match has been put on hold for the time being.
Amore reportedly got sick over the weekend during WWE’s holiday tour and had been working with Kalisto at live events that week. He did not compete while in Toronto and held off on going to the hospital until he got to Miami, Florida for RAW. He was given an IV and arrived to the arena a few hours before the show but was sent to his hotel by WWE officials out of fear he was contagious, and was ordered to rest up despite Amore’s pleas to allow him to compete.
Braun Strowman was sent home early from WWE’s holiday tour for an illness as well, and the Wrestling Observer reports that “The Moster Among Men” was violently ill. Strowman, however, was able to return on RAW and defeat Rhyno in one-on-one competition.
There’s no official news on when Amore could return to the ring, although he has been medically cleared, but could possibly come back as early as this weekend. Amore was also removed from the Mixed Match Challenge by RAW General Manager Kurt Angle, despite that the tournament is two weeks away. When Amore does return it’s expected he’ll defend his title against Cedric Alexander.
– Currently Enzo Amore is the only WWE Superstar being sidelined by an illness, as he missed this past Monday’s episode of RAW after contracting the flu. Braun Strowman was sent home early from WWE’s holiday live event tour, however, he was able to return for RAW and defeat Rhyno.
Wrestling Inc. reports that several other WWE Superstars aside from Strowman and Amore are suffering from illnesses backstage and have been given IV treatment. It hasn’t been confirmed whether or not those illnesses are from the flu or something else, but it is being said that several Superstars didn’t go out on New Years Eve because of how sick they were.
– As they prepare to welcome their first child into the world, WWE Superstars The Miz and Maryse have purchased a brand new home and shared the following photos on social media:
– Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Rey Mysterio took to Instagram to comment on this morning’s Chris Jericho vs. Kenny Omega Wrestle Kingdom 12 match, saying it “did not disappoint”:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdhwrrHDv_r/
– WWE posted a video of Braun Strowman and Alexa Bliss being interviewed by Renee Young, who asks the pair how they feel about being paired together for the Mixed Match Challenge and how they think Nia Jax will respond – given Jax petitioned to have Strowman as her partner for the tournament. Check out the video here:
– After defeating Rhyno on RAW last night, and laying waste to Heath Slater as well in the process, Braun Strowman began trending on Twitter last night after dropping his “these hands” comment on the mic. Strowman took to Twitter to comment on his first win of 2018 after the show:
– WWE continues to mix regular Superstars with Cruiserweights on Monday Night RAW as Goldust teamed up with Cedric Alexander to defeat Ariya Daivari and Drew Gulak last night. We first saw this mix when Finn Balor and Hideo Itami teamed up with one another a week prior. Goldust took to Twitter to comment on teaming with Alexander on last night’s RAW:
2018’s first episode of RAW saw a lot happen. It was a surprisingly hard hitting show that continued to build up to the Royal Rumble on 28th January. Check out the SEScoops Takeaways From RAW for more details.
The final part of the show focused on the triple threat match for the Universal Championship which will take place at the Royal Rumble between Brock Lesnar, Kane, and Braun Strowman.
Prior to this, Kane had approached Braun Strowman backstage to arrange a plan against Brock Lesnar, however Strowman made it clear that he is more than capable of handling the triple threat match on his own.
According to Ryan Clark of ewrestlingnews.com: after Brock Lesnar and Kane had their coming together, as shown above, Braun Strowman entered the ring and called out Kane. The two superstars brawled, but Kane took things a step further by hitting Strowman with a chair and then setting up a table. Unfortunately for Kane, Strowman was able to counter a choke-slam and proceeded to use his running power-slam to put Kane through his own table.
Some WWE fans have suggested that this is wasted material which should at least be aired on the Network. However, much like the time AJ Styles defeated Kevin Owens for the US Title at MSG, this off air brawl gives an extra special incentive for those who attend WWE events.
– WWE officials told F4WOnline.com this afternoon that Braun Strowman is scheduled for tonight’s Raw in Miami, Florida.
After working two live events where he brawled with Kane, Strowman returned home on Thursday due to a bad case of the flu. This caused him to miss the final three live events of 2017.
– In a post on Instagram, The Miz reflects on his professional and personal achievements in 2017 and reveals his goals for 2018.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdYb3IwHjDx/
– The second season of the soap opera series Tainted Dreams, starring former Impact Wrestling star Jessie Godderz, premiered on Amazon and Amazon Prime this past week. According to F4WOnline.com, former WWE talent Lisa Marie Varon (aka Victoria) appears in the series as a parole officer for the character Godderz plays. This reunites the two as they played a couple in TNA in 2012 and 2013.
– Braun Strowman got ill during WWE’s ongoing holiday tour and returned home on Thursday, according to PWInsider.com.
On the first two nights of the live event tour, Strowman had a brief brawl with Kane before powerslamming him through a table, which you can see below when WWE stopped at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12mNIihLJRY
– On WWE Superstar Superfan, Bayley sits down with Peter Rosenberg to talk about being a WWE superfan ever since she was a kid and reveals who her favorite WWE stars are. During the interview, Bayley reveals how Matt Hardy ruined a relationship she had.
– Former WWE star Jean-Pierre LaFitte (Carl Ouellet) celebrates a milestone birthday on Saturday as he turns 50 years old.
– WWE held a live event from Madison Square Garden last night, and after his match against Kane, Braun Strowman celebrated in the ring by using Hulk Hogan’s mannerisms. Check out a photo here:
– Hideo Itami has used the GTS as his finishing maneuver for quite some time on WWE TV, however, after a recent incident in his match with Brian Kendrick on RAW this past Monday, there’s speculation the company could be banning the move. On 205 Live last night Itami defeated Jack Gallagher using a new finisher – Neville’s Rings Of Saturn.
This feeds the speculation that WWE could be shelving the move. With Itami now using the Rings Of Saturn there’s also speculation that Neville won’t be coming back to the company. We’ll keep you updated.
– WWE Studios & Seven Buck Production’s “Fighting With My Family” director Stephen Merchant took to Instagram to announce that the film has finally wrapped up production:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc7b_FXlGjw/
– WWE Superstar Braun Strowman stared in a short parody on WWE’s YouTube channel of the famed christmas movie, “Elf,” which stars Will Ferrell. The parody is actually pretty hilarious and worth a watch. You can check it out here:
While the #1 contender’s match between Braun Strowman and Kane on this week’s Raw was a treat to watch, it ended in a double count-out, leaving the fans wondering who will face Brock Lesnar next.
During the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed this and revealed what the company has in store for The Universal Champion.
According to him, Brock will have not one but two opponents at the upcoming PPV and he’ll be facing both Kane and Strowman in a Triple Threat match.
Though as we noted before, The Beast Incarnate is still penciled to defend his title against Roman Reigns at the 34th edition of WrestleMania next year.
So not only The Universal Champion is likely to retain his title but he is expected to be protected throughout the match as well, allowing him to head to The Show of Shows as a strong opponent for Reigns.
Since WWE is high on Braun, many believe that he will be protected too and while not confirmed, it could mean that the Big Red Monster will end up taking the pin in this bout.
As reported before Brock Lesnar is confirmed to return to WWE during next week’s episode of Monday Night Raw.
Braun Strowman took part in an interview with Metro UK recently. Amongst the interview’s highlights were Strowman’s comments that Vince McMahon has taken him on as his “project”.
Braun Strowman Interview Highlights:
On his relationship with Vince:
“At the end of the day, a lot of it is Vince. He is very hands-on with me and has taken me on as his project.
He has some crazy ideas and I’ve never once questioned anything that Vince has wanted me to do because I know he wouldn’t ask me to do something he wouldn’t do himself.”
On Being a “Larger Than Life Superstar”
“Vince is very keen on the larger than life human beings, especially because of the shock and awe value. Even before I was a WWE Superstar, when I walk into a room I don’t care who is in there, I take focal point. People stop what they’re doing to look at me when I walk in, and now they can put a name to it.
That’s been a huge factor in WWE since the beginning of the company. It’s a huge favor for me that I’m larger than life and having these genetics and the look that Vince likes.
But it’s more than a look, there’s a lot of guys that look big and tough but being able to put that into play in WWE is difficult.
Being able to go out there night after night and work with people and not injuring and hurting people, that was a big thing when I first came in that I had beat into my head from developmental”
– Pwinsider is reporting that NXT Stars Aleister Black and No Way Jose suffered minor injuries while working weekend’s Live Events. Both wrestled on Friday’s show but were kept out of the ring for Saturday’s event in Bel Air, Maryland. No word yet on if they will miss any ring time but we’ll keep you posted.
– As noted before, WWE announced that Braun Strowman will face Kane at next week’s episode of Raw. After the announcement Strowman made the following tweet, commenting on his upcoming encounter with the Big Red Monster:
– Rapper Machine Gun Kelly will return to WWE TV on WWE’s Tribute to The Troops special that tapes this morning in San Diego at Naval Base San Diego, then airs on Thursday, December 14th. MGK was backstage for Monday’s RAW from Los Angeles and spoke to Renee Young for RAW Fallout.
MGK reveals that he will perform two songs at the TTTT tapings – his “Home” and “Let You Go” singles. MGK also jokes about a possible confrontation with Kevin Owens after his 2015 RAW appearance that ended with Owens sending him through the stage with a powerbomb.
– Kane vs. Braun Strowman will take place on next Monday’s RAW episode from Cleveland, Ohio.
– Next week’s RAW will also feature a #1 contenders match to determine the next challenger for WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore. Drew Gulak defeated Cedric Alexander, Tony Nese and Mustafa Ali on this week’s RAW to advance to next week’s show for the match against Rich Swann. The winner of Swann vs. Gulak will become the new #1 contender to the WWE Cruiserweight Champion and will get their shot against Enzo the following week.
WWE Superstar Braun Strowman recently did an interview with Pro Wrestling Illustrated to talk about a number of professional wrestling topics. During the interview, “The Monster Among Men” talked about feeling some resentment for his massive push after only being with the company for such a short time, and also how hard he has worked to get to where he’s at today. You can check out the highlights here:
Feeling resentment in the locker room for his push:
“Yeah, there was a little bit of animosity, I could tell. But, you know, this is a great place. It’s a great company to work for. And I won everyone over because of how hard I worked, putting my body on the line and doing everything I can to get better — listening, watching other matches, watching the whole entire show.
“At first, yes there were some of those guys who had been working years and years and years just to get here. But it’s not like I didn’t put in my time and pay my dues to get here. I traveled around the world competing in strongman contests, paying my way to do all that on my own dime for years. And then I had an opportunity when WWE saw me at The World’s Strongest Man. We talked, exchanged information.”
Working hard to get to where he is:
“I went down and had a trial and earned a spot in the developmental program down at the Performance Center and worked my tail off down there, earned a spot on NXT, got called up, and continued to work hard and get to where we’re at now.”
Strowman’s interview with Pro Wrestling Illustrated is available at this link.
– WWE taped the following matches tonight in Houston to air on this week’s Main Event episode:
* Gran Metalik vs. Brian Kendrick
* Apollo Crews vs. Curt Hawkins
– WWE continued teasing Triple H vs. Braun Strowman and Triple H vs. Kurt Angle in the opening segment of tonight’s RAW from Houston. You can see photos & video from the segment below:
– The Bella Twins hosted a launch event for Birdiebee last night in Hollywood. Candice Michelle, Cameron, Summer Rae, Kelly Kelly, Lilian Garcia and Torrie Wilson reunited with the Twins at the event and you can see the picture here:
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown in Charlotte, NC, which was the final show before Sunday’s WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view, saw the RAW roster finally get revenge on the SmackDown roster for the recent “Under Siege” attacks.
The big brawl started when The Shield interfered in the SmackDown main event, which saw The New Day take on Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. This led to Team Captain Kurt Angle, Braun Strowman, RAW Tag Team Champions The Bar and other red brand Superstars destroying blue brand Superstars, including Team Captain Shane McMahon. SmackDown went off the air with Team RAW standing tall while Team SmackDown struggled to recover.
You can check out the current Survivor Series card for Sunday at this link.
Below are photos, videos and Twitter reactions from tonight’s big angle:
– As noted, Braun Strowman ended this week’s WWE RAW in Atlanta by powerslamming Kane through the mat. While there was no dark main event after RAW, WWE did film a segment with The Monster Among Men rising from the hole in the ring, seen above.
– Below is post-RAW video of Charly Caruso talking to The Shield following their win over WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz and RAW Tag Team Champions The Bar. This was the first win for Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose as a three-man team since defeating Evolution’s Triple H, Batista and Randy Orton at WWE Payback 2014.
Regarding their match against The New Day at Sunday’s Survivor Series pay-per-view, The Shield says The New Day really likes to talk but they like to fight. The New Day likes to play games and joke around but The Shield likes to fight. Reigns says they don’t feel like The New Day is on their level and if they’re right, they will be sending The New Day right back to that B Show they came from. Believe that.
– As noted, Triple H returned to WWE RAW on this week’s Survivor Series go-home edition and announced himself as the fifth member of the men’s Team RAW for the 5-on-5 Traditional Elimination Match at Sunday’s pay-per-view. Team RAW will now feature Team Captain Kurt Angle, Triple H, Braun Strowman, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe vs. Team SmackDown’s Captain Shane McMahon, John Cena, Randy Orton, Bobby Roode and Shinsuke Nakamura.
Triple H named himself to the team after Jason Jordan was removed following an injury angle at the hands of Bray Wyatt earlier in the show. Below is video from the segment with Triple H, featuring a Pedigree to Jordan:
– There was no dark main event following this week’s RAW in Atlanta due to the closing segment, which saw Braun Strowman powerslam Kane through the ring. For what it’s worth, WWE and the Philips Arena had Braun vs. Roman Reigns in a Street Fight plus Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose vs. RAW Tag Team Champions The Bar advertised locally.
– WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar appeared with Paul Heyman on this week’s RAW to address Sunday’s Survivor Series match and his new opponent, WWE Champion AJ Styles. Styles took to Twitter during RAW and tweeted the following on the match:
This isn’t a movie. It’s not a fairytale. It’s the Beast vs a man who’s never stepped down from a fight in his life. See ya Sunday, Brock. https://t.co/pZ6SZSp6k7
– As noted, Bayley earned the fifth spot on the women’s Team RAW Survivor Series team by defeating Dana Brooke and Mickie James in a Triple Threat on tonight’s show. Below is video of Bayley talking to Mike Rome about the win until partner Sasha Banks interrupts to congratulate her. They discuss the match and Bayley has no doubt that Team RAW will beat Team SmackDown for the second year in a row. As noted, the women’s 5-on-5 Traditional Elimination Match on Sunday will feature Captain Alicia Fox, Banks, Bayley, Nia Jax and Asuka vs. Captain Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Naomi, Tamina Snuka and Carmella.
– A birthday celebration for Kalisto has been announced for this week’s WWE 205 Live episode. It’s believed that WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore will crash the party as the two prepare to face off for the title on the Survivor Series Kickoff pre-show.
– Braun Strowman is responsible for another destroyed ring as he sent Kane through the mat with a running powerslam during the closing segment of tonight’s RAW in Atlanta. The two were to have a singles match as the main event but the match never officially began. Below are videos from tonight’s big angle:
– WWE Superstar Braun Strowman recently visited Jimmy’s Seafood in Baltimore, a famous spot for WWE stars when they’re in town, and the restaurant posted the following video of “The Monster Among Men” taking on their seven-pound Seafood UFO Sandwich. Check it out:
What happens when 385 pounds of destruction meets 7+ pounds of seafood excellence? Find out as The Monster Among Men @BraunStrowman takes on The Seafood UFO Sandwich! pic.twitter.com/BEEmnqBOx0
– The Rock and Under Armour have launched their new men and women’s “Project Rock: USDNA Collection” today. The Rock took to Twitter to promote the new line and called it their most badass apparel line of 2017:
Let’s do this. @UnderArmour’s most anticipated of 2017 is AVAILABLE NOW.
Our new #ProjectRock USDNA Collection for men and women.
There hasn’t been a genuine contender for the Intercontinental Championship on WWE for quite some time. The Miz has successfully held the title with the help of The Miztourage against the likes of Jason Jordan and Roman Reigns, but he has been focused on a power struggle with The Shield and Kurt Angle in recent weeks.
Survivor Series will see The Miz take on the United States Champion, Baron Corbin in a non-title championship showdown.
The next RAW PPV is The Royal Rumble in January, and it seems likely that The Miz will be able to hold on to his Intercontinental Championship until then. The interesting news comes from The Wrestling Observer which has provided inside information regarding the plan to have Braun Strowman as the next superstar to challenge The Miz for his title.
Between now and then, it looks like The Miz will want to keep Kane by his side but, if this is the plan, it won’t be long before Braun Strowman works his way through The Big Red Machine to make for The Miz and his IC title.
It wasn’t long ago that Braun Strowman took on Brock Lesnar. Here’s Paul Heyman’s take on the gigantic match at No Mercy:
Opinion:
Hopefully this will add some much need interest to the Intercontinental Championship which has taken a backseat while The Miz has played a key part in reuniting The Shield. The main question building up to this title challenge is: How could Braun Strowman not defeat The Miz? Even with The Miztourage, it seems like an obvious match to call.
