'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
One thing that fans of the WWE have become accustomed to is the notion that Braun Strowman is the “next big thing”!
He has to date been on a steady build, having got the better of most of the opponents he has faced. There have been exceptions like Roman Reigns, but they traded wins through a prolonged storyline which made both wrestlers' standing in the public eye grow.
Interestingly, Kane has been brought back into the WWE fold and booked extremely strong of late. Kane is the original “monster” in the WWE and there is real meaning in him being fed to Strowman to ensure a catapulted build into Wrestlemania season.
With the victories mounting for Kane over popular superstars like Finn Balor and Seth Rollins, one can only expect that the ultimate beneficiary will be Braun as he convincingly beats Kane and alleviates himself into the main event scene in the WWE.
Looking back over Kane’s long and storied tenure in the WWE, he has acted as a glass ceiling for talent, but notably, and in this case meaningfully main event calibre wrestlers have always been allowed to go over "The Big Red Machine". If this should happen and a dominant performance by Strowman unfolds, one can only assume that Braun is on the verge of potential super-stardom and a mega push from the WWE.
With Wrestlemania around the corner and three of the big four PPV’s in close succession -- Survivor Series, Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania -- the general observer can’t help but wonder what options lie ahead for "The Monster Among Men” at "The Showcase of the Immortals.
At this stage I really see only three possibilities for Strowman come Wrestlemania season;
- A triple threat match for the Universal title between Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman. Whilst this would be a repeat (minus Samoa Joe) of the recent fatal 4-way, I believe it would be a matchup that makes sense.
Brock and Roman are locked in at WrestleMania, however the fan favouritism could push Braun back into the title scene a-la Daniel Bryan.
- A passing of the torch moment at Wrestlemania between John Cena and Braun Strowman. If they need to keep Braun away from the title scene, this is about the biggest matchup they could make for him come Wrestlemania season.
Akin to Hogan to Rock, Rock to Cena, Cena to Strowman would illustrate to the world exactly what the WWE thinks of Braun’s capabilities and potential to be a top guy for years to come.
- Kurt Angle vs Braun Strowman is one of the only unique matchups that remains at the main event scene for WWE to make for Braun. The Olympic Hero, in his last Wrestlemania moment, and Braun, the man who retires a legend permanently.
This would depend on how long Angle believes he could potentially wrestle for but would be a massive way for Kurt to elevate Braun and ensuring the special “Wrestlemania moment” all top stars need.
Whatever the WWE decides to do with Braun, there is no doubt that it will be epic. 2018 is sure to be a year that will define his career and one that will bring a lot of fan satisfaction as Strowman takes a main role within the WWE locker room.
