WWE Payback 2017: 3 Predictions for Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns

Tom Thomas

What could go down when the Big Dog Roman Reigns faces the Monster Among Men Braun Strowman at WWE Payback?

In a little over one week, Roman Reigns will look to avenge Braun Strowman’s brutal attack from two weeks back at WWE Payback. The Big Dog, frescareer-makingr making victory over the Undertaker would suffer a merciless beat-down at the hands of the Monster Among Men. The segment could be defined as one of the best back-stage attacks in recent times in the WWE.

Of course it is entertaining every time Strowman goes on a rampage. However, after attacking and putting Reigns out of the show, Strowman has become a crowd favorite. He would suddenly evolve into the red-hot anti-hero people loved to cheer for. In some ways and manners, Strowman is what Reigns should have been from the first place. The segment where Strowman flipped an ambulance would be remembered by fans for many years.

This week on Raw, General Manager Kurt Angle would announce a match between these two heavy weights at Payback. Considering how well WWE has booked Strowman to this point, one could expect him to come out on top. However, the company has been extremely protective of Reigns. This could prove to be another night where creative would arrogantly put him on top much to the dismay of the fans. Like they say, anything could happen when these two behemoths collide. Here are Daily DDT’s top 3 predictions for this match.

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3. Braun Strowman Wins Cleanly

As much as a major portion of the entire WWE universe would want this, this is indeed the least likely scenario. The last time these two faced each other, it was Roman Reigns who had his hands raised in the air. Would the tide turn in favor of Strowman this time around? WWE creative would most likely say no.

As much as one would love to see Strowman go over, WWE has been adamant about Reigns. However, Braun still has a slight shimmer of hope. There have been rumors about Strowman facing Brock Lesnar later in the year. As such, what better way would there be to build towards that feud than by taking out the Big Dog? If plans for Strowman and Lesnar to battle over the Universal title are indeed true, then the Monster Among Men would need to look like a real monster.

Moreover, Paul Heyman already spoke about his intentions to have Lesnar challenge Roman Reigns. The ‘Two in Twenty Three and Two’ might have to postpone their eventual clash if Braun Strowman decides to crash the party. After all, what better way would there be to get Lesnar’s attention than to take out the one man he has set his eyes on.

The Monster Among Men certainly stands a chance in this contest. Perhaps even bigger than the last time considering his rise in popularity over the past few weeks. The question remains though; is it enough to put Reigns down?

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2. Roman Reigns Overcomes the Odds, as Always

Whether you like it or not, this might be the most likely scenario come April 30. WWE has been high on Reigns ever since the SHIELD split. He has won multiple WWE titles and has been heavily featured in every Royal Rumble match. Hardly a night goes by when Reigns is not the center point of the show. As such, there should be strong reasons to think Reigns would lose to Strowman.

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There is a catch to this kind of an ending though. Of course, the most obvious way to get Strowman over would be to have him defeat Reigns. However, WWE has been clever with the way they use Reigns at times. Consider his number 30 entrance during this year’s Royal Rumble for example. Had any other new era star emerged through the curtains at that spot, the crowd would have been furious over Orton’s win. But Reigns was able to absorb that negativity very well for the WWE.

Part of Strowman’s rise in popularity can be attributed to his attacks on Reigns over the past few months. However, while saying that, I am not taking anything away from the big man. He has consistently put in great work in the ring and has always been willing to take the risk. Strowman was given an opportunity and he has made the most of it. The crowd’s hatred for Roman Reigns has also rubbed on him to make him an immensely popular anti-hero.

Regardless of Reigns losing or winning at Payback, the fans would continue to boo him. However, if Strowman loses to Reigns again, the fans would madly cheer for him. To every WWE fan, cheering for Strowman would be a way of protesting against Roman Reigns.

Moreover, another loss at the hands of Reigns could infuriate Strowman even further. He could perhaps assault Reigns once more after the match, taking him off television for a while. The following night, Strowman could continue his attack until Angle gives him a Universal title match against Brock Lesnar. Perhaps, this could be the direction that creative is also planning for the Monster Among Men.

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1. A New Foe Costs the Match for Roman Reigns

We have been going over this feud for far too long. To shed some perspective, these two met in a decisive match at Fastlane. The Big Dog got the win that night. As such, there is no particular reason to revisit this feud after giving it somewhat of a break with Reigns-Undertaker saga. Hence, it is high time to move both these superstars to other feuds.

As far as Strowman goes, he has already broken the glass ceiling in terms of popularity and stardom. WWE needs to make the most of this and feature the big man in more number of matches. Reigns should not be his priority anymore. The Universal title should be. The same could be said about Reigns as well. It’s time we saw him face someone other than the Monster Among Men for a change.

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Having someone interfere in the match and target Reigns could accomplish a number of things. First, it would give creative a way to keep Reigns protected. Secondly, Strowman getting the win would send the fans home happy and propel him towards a title shot. Lastly, this would set up Roman Reigns’ next feud.

The question is who would do that? Therein lies the problem of Monday Night Raw‘s present landscape. There aren’t a whole lot of villains who could make this work and seem like a sane idea. Had Kevin Owens been still on Raw, this would have worked. If Y2J was still a heel, this could have worked. The Miz is the only credible heel who could perhaps pull this off. But seeing as he is embroiled in a feud with Dean Ambrose, the odds are slim. Who else could work this angle then? In comes Samoa Joe!

The two Samoans crossed paths once which was Joe’s debut on the main roster. Seeing as Joe already has a match with Rollins that night, there is logic in him trying to take down Reigns as well. Joe could defeat Rollins for good earlier in the night and could be out for blood during Reigns’ match. He could sort of go on a vendetta against all three members of the SHIELD should he feel like it. Else, creative can easily place heat on Joe against Reigns with a simple backstage segment.

Next: Triple H Comments on Roman Reigns’ Potential Heel Turn

A feud between Samoa Joe and Roman Reigns would be a great option. It has the added advantage of propelling Strowman towards a rightful title match he deserves. Moreover, the fans would get to witness the two Samoans trade right hands and heavy hits to determine the ultimate Samoan Bad ass.

Tom Thomas

WWE fan from India. I have been blessed enough to have my works for DDT featured on Fox Sports and to have been quoted by Ryan Dilbert from Bleacher Report in his article once. I love to examine storylines and come up with predictions and crazy scenarios.