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WWE emanated its flagship show, Raw, from Staples Centre this week on Monday. The show came after a clean sweep by the red brand the previous day at Survivor Series. It looked like the best day in history for the red brand because they were not only able to keep the blue brand at bay, they were able to win all the matches.
A lot of us questioned that decision or had second thoughts about it, but it looked like the company had some great things planned due to the outcome on Sunday. Braun Strowman was a part of the Raw men's team that defeated the SmackDown Live men's team in an amazing fashion.
Despite the fact that Braun Strowman suffered a flying move from Shane McMahon on the announcers' table at Survivor Series, 'The Monster Among Men' showed up on Raw to take on the acting general manager, but the commissioner of Raw turned the match into a six-man tag team match where the team consisting of Baron Corbin, Drew McIntyre, and Bobby Lashley took out Braun Strowman.
After the attack, we could hear Braun Strowman state to the WWE referees that he couldn't feel his fingers. This was confirmed by WWE as they stated that 'The Monster Among Men' isn't in good condition, and has suffered serious injuries.
If the same is true, it is a bad thing for not only the wrestler, but also the company, and here are my reasons.
#3 Changes plans for TLC
Braun Strowman came out to the ring when Baron Corbin asked for a promotion, and asked Stephanie McMahon to keep her promise. The Billion Dollar Princess stayed true to her word, and announced a match between Baron Corbin and Braun Strowman, with the stipulation that if the acting general manager defeats the Raw performer, he shall be made the permanent general manager of Raw.
Adding value to the feud, Braun Strowman put his Universal Championship opportunity on the line. If he wins at TLC, he shall face Brock Lesnar for the title at the Royal Rumble. If Braun Strowman is hurt, it means the company would have to change their plans for TLC, and also for Royal Rumble, which is a bad thing, especially considering Braun Strowman's connect with the fans.
#2 Mixed Match Challenge options would change
The second installment of the famous 'Mixed Match Challenge' has seen a lot of replacements. With Alexa Bliss being replaced by Ember Moon as Braun Strowman's partner among multiple other replacements, the show has been on a downhill since it started.
If the injury suffered by Braun Strowman is huge, it would impact the matches at this show, as well as multiple other options, including the opportunity to enter at #30 in the Royal Rumble.
The most significant thing is the fact that there have been more replacements than there have been admirers of this second installment, and this injury is going to add more fuel for the people that hate this show.
It is important the company tries to apply some precaution around this so that wrestlers aren't prone to injuries so often, which derails the storylines and also their careers.
#1 Evidence of an unsafe work environment
It isn't a shocking thing to see wrestlers getting injured, but two performers that are in good position and have a good connection with the fans getting injured in two successive weeks of the same show does raise a question about the company and its policies around superstar safety.
The fact that last week Becky Lynch was hurt by female performers, and this week Braun Strowman suffered the same fate at the hands of the male performers, creates a situation of worry not only in the fans' mind, but also the performance centre trainees.
This also gives the company a negative image because it looks to the public and stakeholders like the company isn't looking after the well being of their performers, and this may turn people against the product.
It is important that just like WWE's strict policy against drugs, they should also put a policy in place where a superstar would be penalised for injuring another performer, along with a fine. This would be a great way to assure fans that wrestlers work in a safe environment, and the company values safety.
This is also alarming, considering the fact that Enzo Amore's invasion at Survivor Series injured a WWE Universe member.
