Raw ran a little late on Monday, but WWE used the extra 14 minutes to solidify a fact that will drive the company through WrestleMania 34: Braun Strowman is a heel.
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Just a week ago, Strowman was the people’s choice kick Roman Reigns off WWE’s throne before he could get comfortable. But now that Strowman is a villain, the entire landscape of WWE has changed.
So why did WWE do it? Let’s break it down:
Roman Reigns is Finally in the Clear
Like the wrestling sage that he is, Vince McMahon channeled supreme patience and waited three years to crown Roman Reigns. Despite the perpetualย criticism of Reigns’ ability, endless clamoring for a heel turn, and tsunami of vocal protests, McMahon knew Roman’sย haters would eventually run out of enthusiasm.ย
While there are still some boo birds lingering, the deed is done. And to clear the way, McMahon just cut down the biggest tree on Reigns’ gilded path – a highly popular Braun Strowman.
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No More Crowd Splits
Now that Strowman is a heel, fans can’t point to a better option to be Universal Champion. As a hero, Strowmanย is the only WWE Superstar who could force decision makers to audible off of Reigns as Universal Champion.
While Seth Rollins may have had that claim earlier this year, he’s no busy with the Intercontinental Championship. Reigns and Dean Ambrose may one day have their battle, but that’s clearly not happening in 2018. That left Strowmanย as the undisputed best contender for Reigns, and carrying that briefcase around kept WWEย fans holding their breaths for a successful cash in.
But as a villain, Strowmanย loses a good 30% of his cheers. And without a briefcase, he’s lost a very compellingย gimmick.ย
All the more for Roman Reigns.
The Shield Gets to Play Underdogs
This time last year, The Miz, Curtis Axel, and Bo Dallas were leading the charge against The Shield.ย This time it’s Braunย Strowman, Dolphย Ziggler, and Drew McIntyre.ย
Even though the 2017 Shield went onto more formidable opponents, their success was never in question. But in 2018, it looks like The Shield will be stuck to Strowmanย & Co.’s boots for a while.ย
Buying Time: Part I
With six people involved, Roman Reigns won’t be winning too many matches by himself. It will be interesting to see how WWEย executeย Strowman vs. Reigns at Hell in a Cell, but things are bound to get complex.
If Roman Reigns isn’t knocking over pinย after pin to keep his title,ย then it’s going to be tough for fans to boo him. With so big names circling, Hell in a Cell could potentially be the last time Reigns defends his Universal Championship in 2018.ย ย
Buying Time: Part II
When Dean Ambrose madeย his prodigal return, fans began to calculateย the exact moment he’d turn heel. While it’s still a safe bet that will happen, things have been pushed back.ย
By Strowmanย turning heel, he forces The Shield to stay intact. So if Ambrose is to make a betrayal, there’s no way it happens anytime before Survivor Series.ย
I’ll guess Ambrose vs. Rollins is the loose plan for WrestleManiaย 35, and with the Shield set for a long run against Strowman, WWE can take their time.ย
Strowman Isn’t Quite Ready
As great as Strowmanย is, he’s still pretty new to the world of professional wrestling. Strowmanย left competitiveย lifting fro WWE in 2013. From there he spent a little amount of time in NXTย before getting work on the main roster.
2017 proved that he is indeed a main eventer. So far, 2018 proves that WWEย is behind Strowman. 2019 appears to guaranteeย Strowmanย as Universal Champion.
So He Can Lose at Hell in a Cell
To be real, this may be the best reason behind Strowman’s heel turn. If Strowman entered Hell in a Cell as a babyfaceย and lost to Reigns, we’d be back at square one.ย
But Vince McMahon isnt’t about to undo his work and let fans cheer for who they want. Instead, Roman will enter HIACย as a crowd favorite. Even more, when he beats Strowman, even if cleanly, the amount of backlash shouldn’t be too troublesome.ย
Heels are in the business to lose to babyfaces. And right now, Strowmanย is being groomed for a loss.ย
