WWE Raw: Creative Wasted John Cena vs. Braun Strowman Match
By Tom Thomas
Last night on WWE Raw, John Cena took on Braun Stowman for the first time ever. Here is why I think this was a wasted opportunity.
John Cena collided with the Monster Among Men last night on WWE Raw. This would be the first time that the Leader of the Cenation faced Strowman. Braun Strowman has continued to dominate who ever it is that has been put in front of him. This was the case regardless of whether he faced Roman Reigns or Brock Lesnar. That trend continued last night on Raw as well as Strowman mauled over Cena.
While it was in no ways as iconic or shocking as Lesnar’s 16 suplex domination of Cena, this was indeed a rare sight in the WWE. However, as the match moved along, I couldn’t help but feel this could have been made even bigger. Truth be told, I think this PPV-worth match was simply being wasted on live TV. Braun Strowman didn’t need to manhandle Cena the way he did to get over at the moment, because he is indeed the hottest superstar on the entire roster. Colliding with someone else would have done just the same for the Monster Among Men.
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As for Cena, who has been consistently working great matches with younger talents and putting them over even in defeat, this match didn’t fare all that well. Like I said before, had this been on any PPV, with some solid back story or an actual challenge, it could have been built into something more. Moreover, the additional time a PPV could offer a match like this would have benefited the performers as well.
Any time Cena makes an appearance on Raw or SmackDown Live, it is indeed a big occasion. He might be nearing the end of his long and illustrious career.
However, he has been so well protected for a long time that a dominating performance against Cena is something that could alter the course of a talent’s career. In the case of Strowman, this would have been especially true. While some could argue that dominating Lesnar the way he did means more, I beg to differ.
As dominating as Lesnar may be, he is not a 16 time WWE champion. John Cena is a one-of-a-kind legend. Thought Strowman eventually lost the match by way of DQ, having it happen on a throw-away episode of Raw was truly a wasted opportunity. The fact that this happened while Cena was not even feuding with Strowman in the slightest is another issue. I still have a lingering feeling that Lesnar will retain the title at No Mercy. If that happens, a decisive win in a dedicated feud against Cena would have benefited Strowman.
Next: WWE No Mercy 2017: Braun Strowman To Be ‘Protected’?
What are your thoughts on the match from last night? Do you think creative could have made better use of the stars involved? Given the amount of star-power, did you feel like the match underwhelmed or deserved a better stage than Monday night? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.