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In this new series, we look at potential winners of the 2019 Royal Rumble match.
Last time, we covered CM Punk.
This time, we take a look at Braun Strowman, The Monster Among Men.
Braun Strowman was supposed to face Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble, but was suspended from the match when he ripped off the door of Vince McMahon's limousine whilst chasing Baron Corbin.
Yes, that actually happened.
Wouldn't it be the most Braun Strowman thing ever to enter the Royal Rumble match instead? Initial reports indicate that Strowman was not pulled from the Lesnar bout due to injury; if he is healthy to compete, it is fair to assume that he will enter the Royal Rumble match.
His accomplishments till date include: winning the Money in the Bank contract in 2018, the Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018, winning the RAW tag-team Championships by himself at WrestleMania 34, sole survivor at Survivor Series in 2017 and 2018, terrorising Kevin Owens, and flipping over vehicles.
He has never won a singles championship, or Royal Rumble match.
The question is, how will he do?
We're here to break that down for you.
So without further ado, lets get right into it.
The case for Braun Strowman
Um, just look at the guy.
Braun Strowman is a scary scary man. He is six feet eight inches tall, weighs in at 380 pounds, and routinely pushes over heavy vehicles. His sheer physical presence makes him a heavy favourite to win this match.
He won the Greatest Royal Rumble - the 50 man Royal Rumble Match in Saudi Arabia. He absolutely destroyed everyone at Survivor Series, Money in the Bank, and Elimination Chamber last year. Braun Strowman has proven that he excels in the chaos of a multi-man match. The Royal Rumble is the ultimate multi-man chaotic match.
Braun Strowman is also one of the most protected superstars on the entire roster. He has only been pinned by Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns in the past year. He eats finishers like candy.
The way he was removed from the match was also instructive - he crossed a McMahon. In normal workplaces, it isn't good to cross the boss, in the WWE, it means you are taken seriously as a main-event player.
The WWE still clearly has big plans for Braun Strowman. Indeed it can be argued that he was removed from the match because the WWE did not want Brock Lesnar to lose before WrestleMania, but also wanted to protect Braun Strowman from losing again.
The case against Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman is the biggest, baddest superstar on the roster not named Brock Lesnar.
Nobody can dispute that.
However, the problem is, in Royal Rumble matches, the biggest, baddest superstar also has the biggest target on their back. How many Royal Rumbles did Big Show win? How about Kane? Exactly.
It could also be argued that Braun Strowman is being positioned for another role at WrestleMania 35; one that sees him take on the wrath of one or more McMahons. He did flip over Vince McMahon's limousine.
Stephanie McMahon once tried to fire him for creating an unsafe work environment. And Triple H was beaten up by Strowman after Survivor Series 2017. Indeed, it appeared at one point that Strowman was going to go up against the McMahons at last year's WrestleMania. Perhaps this is the year that will see him oppose them as an anti-authority babyface.
Also, whilst it has been reported that Strowman was not pulled from the Lesnar bout due to injury, reports can be wrong. Strowman cannot win the match if he has not been cleared to compete in it.
Who he would challenge at WrestleMania
Braun Strowman is a babyface.
He is an absolute monster of a man, but he is a babyface.
There are four men taking part in championship matches at the Royal Rumble. Four men who Strowman could conceivably challenge. But if he is to remain a babyface, there is only one man he can challenge.
That man is Brock Lesnar.
Given the vast size difference, and their status as hardcore fan favourites, there is absolutely no way Braun Strowman can be a believable babyface challenger to AJ Styles, Finn Balor, or Daniel Bryan. It has to be be Brock Lesnar.
Furthermore, Strowman has not yet avenged his loss to Lesnar at WWE Crown Jewel. Indeed, he has never beaten Lesnar. Braun Strowman versus Brock Lesnar is a story that dates back to SummerSlam 2017.
WrestleMania 35 would be a fitting conclusion for it. Strowman finally defeating Lesnar to win his first world championship in the main event of WrestleMania 35 is how this story must end.
The Verdict: Braun Strowman has a very good chance of winning the 2019 men's Royal Rumble match.
Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.
