What was supposed to be a meteoric rise now seems doomed to become another dusty reel box on a shelf. The rise we’re alluding to was one envisioned for Braun Strowman, who was reportedly Vince’s pet project since he debuted.
The Black Sheep of the Wyatts was pencilled in to win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal this Sunday, but witnessing the hostility towards him this past SmackDown has forced a hasty change of plans. Dave Meltzer said this on the Wrestling Observer Radio: "There have been second thoughts regarding Strowman, particularly given the reaction to his match with Ambrose in Philadelphia.
“At this point he is no longer a lock to win the Battle Royal, which he had been. They were open to other ideas this week. He still may win. But the plan for him to win the Battle Royal and face Lesnar at SummerSlam is no longer a sure thing."
It is no secret that Vince still has a soft spot for muscled mammoths, but the tide is changing in the WWE. In large numbers, fans are beginning to get behind guys with more personality than muscles, evidenced by guys like Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens and Daniel Bryan.
A three-decade reign over the pro-wrestling industry might be blinding the Chairman of the WWE to the fact that his connection to the audience might just be beginning to fray.
