What’s the story?
The Monster Among Men, Braun Strowman, will be among us again sooner than expected. Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio has reported that Braun Strowman is expected to be back in time for a major match at Summerslam against a major opponent.
In case you didn’t know...
It was reported by the WWE yesterday via social media outlets that Braun Strowman is sidelined with a significant injury to his elbow and that the injury will require surgery: “Strowman underwent surgery on Thursday in Birmingham, AL with Dr. Jeffrey Dugas. During the procedure, it was revealed, among his other injuries, that Strowman’s elbow had been shattered, and he is expected to miss up to six months of action as a result.”
The six-month return timetable is much lengthier than originally thought. Strowman is having a career year and was on his way to becoming a bonafide main eventer in the WWE. He debuted in the WWE as a member of the Wyatt Family and more recently has been embroiled in a feud with Roman Reigns on Monday Night Raw.
The heart of the matter
On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that while Braun Strowman’s injury and surgery is legitimate, the six-month timetable is a work and he will be back in the ring in time for a major match at Summerslam.
Meltzer says that Strowman is most likely to return and face Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal Championship at WWE’s second biggest event of the year. For that to happen, Strowman would have to be back in the WWE by mid-July to begin the program and build to the match with Lesnar.
What’s next?
Strowman’s injury clearly is changing the WWE’s summer plans. By all accounts, Strowman was set to face off against Brock Lesnar at the Great Balls Of Fire PPV in July and Finn Balor or Seth Rollins was slated to face the Beast Incarnate at Summerslam which looks to now be flopped.
Last night on Monday Night Raw, Kurt Angle announced a fatal-5-way extreme rules match at the Extreme Rules PPV with the winner getting a shot at Brock Lesnar and the Universal Championship. Both Balor and Rollins are in that match along with Samoa Joe, Bray Wyatt, and Roman Reigns.
Author’s Take
Timing is everything in the world of pro wrestling. This injury to Braun Strowman is unfortunate but the timing is going to end up working out perfectly. Strowman’s popularity was on its way to a fever pitch and now the crowd, cold turkey, doesn’t get to see him anymore.
When he returns, he’ll be a welcome sight and someone that the WWE Universe will openly cheer for. Couple that with the fact that he upgrades his position and will headline the second biggest show of the year in a championship match against WWE’s number one attraction and it's easy to quickly realise that Braun is going to be just fine after this.
In the big picture, this may be a good thing for him.
Last year during the WWE Draft, Strowman was the absolute last person I thought would soar to the heights he’s at right now. Personally, I can’t wait to see how far he’ll go.
