Braun Strowman Takes A Hit

Braun Strowman did indeed lose to Roman Reigns at Fastlane. But he didn't want things to end there. He called Roman Reigns out at the end of Raw this week. Instead of Reigns, The Undertaker came out. Strowman then just backed off and left without any altercation. Roman Reigns then came out to confront The Undertaker, setting up their Wrestlemania feud.

How does this make Strowman look? The loss to Roman Reigns is one thing, but backing down from The Undertaker? The Undertaker is indeed a figure to be respected and feared. I am not arguing that. I agree with that. But it doesn't make the monster that Braun Strowman is supposed to be look good to back down from any other wrestler.

People might say the WWE is doing a terrible job building stars for the future. They have to rely too heavily on part-timers, like Goldberg. I am not saying Braun Strowman could have been the next Undertaker. I knew very well this guy was a jobber to the stars. But they could have done a better job with him right now to at least give him a better chance to stay strong.

What could they have done to set up Reigns vs. Undertaker without making Strowman look like a coward? How about let Roman Reigns come out and actually brawl with Strowman? Reigns wins the brawl. He can then proclaim that this is his yard. Cue The Undertaker. Or wait until the following week for Undertaker to show up and take exception to what Reigns said. Or cue The Undertaker's gong this week on Raw, which would symbolize he would show up next week to confront Reigns. I know some people are saying the third hour of Raw did poor ratings this week because Undertaker was not advertised. That's no excuse. It's Wrestlemania season, the time of year fans are supposed to expect big things to happen. Anyway, doing things this way would have set up the same story they are going with now for Reigns and The Undertaker, without making Strowman look like a coward. In terms of his image, it would be better to lose a fight than be afraid to get into one.

What can Strowman look forward to for Wrestlemania season? Probably nothing personal. I am not saying they should have protected him so well that he should be forced into the match between Reigns and Undertaker. But they could have protected his image a little better than this, even if no big push is immediately on the plate for him.