Photo Source: WWE.com
In the main event of Raw this week, Braun Strowman won the tag team battle royal – and a tag team title match at WWE WrestleMania 34. Who could be Strowman’s tag team partner?
It’s no secret that most of us here at Daily DDT are big fans of Braun Strowman. So last night on Raw, when it seemed like he finally got some direction heading into WWE WrestleMania 34, there was much rejoicing. The twist is that Strowman looks to be in line for a Raw Tag Team Championship match at WrestleMania. You know, despite not having a tag team partner, and competing in the battle royal solo.
Sheamus and Cesaro, the Raw Tag Team Champions, are already on the case to get the match nullified. And the rest of the tag team division is probably wondering just how this could have happened to them. We can debate what Strowman getting the title shot means for the tag division as a whole until the cows come home. But now that we’re at this point, it’s time to start looking ahead to WrestleMania itself.
There’s just under four weeks left to finalize this match. Who could Strowman find to be his tag team partner? Surely, he’s going to be required to have one, right? Is there anyone in the WWE Universe who’s brave enough to stand so close to Braun? Maybe they can get some pointers from Alexa Bliss, since Team Little Big has done so well in the Mixed Match Classic so far.
Let’s take a look at some possibilities for a partner for Braun Strowman at WWE WrestleMania 34.
James Ellsworth
Any man who doesn’t get these hands stands a fighting chance, right?
Ellsworth isn’t currently on the Raw roster, so this is the longest of long shots. But it’s WrestleMania – a one-off wouldn’t be out of the question. And who better to tag with The Monster Among Men than the first guy who really helped bring Braun to prominence as a unstoppable force?
When Strowman was sort of repackaged after the WWE Draft in July 2016, he began his undefeated streak against a string of local talent. The first victim in Braun’s run? James Ellsworth. A quirky pre-match promo was enough for Ellsworth to endear himself to the WWE Universe. The veteran of the independent circuit was even able to parlay that single appearance into what amounted to a one-year stint as a WWE regular. (So kids, just remember you can be and do anything you set your mind to if you get thrown around by a former World’s Strongest Man competitor.)
Ellsworth’s resume alone makes him a clear choice to be considered as Braun’s partner. He holds multiple victories over WWE Champion AJ Styles. Ellsworth also won the first ever Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match, and he’s the current World Intergender Champion. (Yeah, he created the title, but so what?)
In all honesty, if Ellsworth were Strowman’s partner, Braun would do all the work while Ellsworth stood in the corner holding the tag rope. Which brings me to the second option for Braun’s partner…
No One
Look, if Ellsworth would likely just stand on the apron and barely get involved, why not just let Braun do the thing by himself?
WWE is all about moments, especially at WrestleMania. Stories are less about constant progression, and more about a series of memorable events. Don’t believe me? Was there any story behind Shane McMahon’s coast to coast dropkick at WrestleMana X-Seven? How about Shelton Benjamin going off the top of the giant ladder through another during a Money in the Bank match?
No, the highlights for future videos are what’s really important for a WrestleMania card. If Braun goes up against two men, wouldn’t a running powerslam to both at once be an impressive moment? Strowman has done that move to multiple superstars before, but they were really tiny enhancement talent. Cesaro and Sheamus are each upwards of 235-250 pounds. Watching Braun lift both guys onto his shoulder and parade around the ring would be an amazing visual.
The problem with this “partner” for Braun is the irreparable damage it would do to the entire tag team division. It’s already bad enough that the battle royal was won by a solo superstar. If that solo superstar – even if it is Braun Strowman – goes on to become the Raw Tag Team Champions, the whole division will have to be rebuilt from the bottom up.
For that reason, it’s clear Braun actually needs a partner. If Ellsworth is useless, who could make an appearance in the big man’s corner?
Big Cass
Like Ellsworth, Big Cass would be a long shot. It was back in August that Cass suffered a severe knee injury during a street fight on Raw. Since then, Cass has undergone successful knee surgery, and is working his way through rehab to get back into ring shape.
The time frame for recovery for an injury like Cass suffered is up to nine months. He suffered the injury roughly seven months ago. It’s not out of the realm of possibility to come back for an injury sooner than expected – maybe not likely, but not impossible, either.
It was just about a month ago that Wrestling Inc. reported that Cass had been seen at the WWE Performance Center, and was in great shape and moving around unassisted. If the big man is already working out, perhaps he’s a bit ahead of schedule in his recovery.
Let’s say Cass is close to being able to come back. While it’s doubtful that WWE would risk a setback in such a situation, if handled correctly Cass could be a great partner for Braun. Two guys as big as they are would be like a modern take on the Twin Towers of Akeem and the Big Boss Man.
Even if Cass is limited by his health, if he’s good to go to even be Braun’s partner at a later date it would be wise to pull the trigger.
Neville
Yet another in the long shot pile, fans have been clamoring for Neville to return to WWE ever since he decided to sit out his contract last fall. While news regarding The Man That Gravity Forgot had cooled off for a while, earlier this month news surfaced that Neville was in talks for a potential return.
When would that return theoretically take place? According to reports, April. And it just so happens that WrestleMania is taking place on April 8. Hmmmmm…
One of the main sticking points with Neville walking out on WWE was his displeasure with his spot on the card. The King of the Cruiserweights was allegedly upset at being “relegated” to the world of 205 Live. There was also the kerfuffle about his being bumped to the WrestleMania pre-show last year, and being left off the Mania DVD completely.
If Neville were to come back as Braun’s tag team partner, it would be a sign that he was breaking out of the cruiserweight pigeon hole he’d been stuck in. Although 205 Live has turned a corner since the “reboot” and launch of the tournament, Neville should be the first cruiserweight to bridge the gap to the heavyweight division.
Plus, Red Arrow off of Braun’s shoulders? Sign me up right now.
Elias
Probably the likeliest of options, even if it doesn’t really seem likely right now. Elias has slowly worked his way into the good graces of the WWE Universe – and despite still being seen as more of a villain, he can easily switch over like Braun did.
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Not much would even need to change – just the subject of his songs, really. Braun is still literally the same character he was when he started his solo run as the evil monster; now, he attacks heels like Kane instead of heroes like Roman Reigns.
Forging a tag team out of a mutual respect for one another is a tried and true gimmick in WWE’s past. Even Strowman’s opponents at WrestleMania – Sheamus and Cesaro – started off as bitter rivals. But by competing against one another and then being forced to team up, they’ve become the most dominant team on Raw. Currently in their fourth reign as champions, it’s clear they’ve figured out the formula for success.
Could Strowman and Elias do the same thing? Perhaps. You’d just have to make sure there were no double basses or pianos in the general vicinity before turning the pair loose. And given the state of the WWE roster and the current WrestleMania card, Elias makes the most sense to be added to this match.
Next: 25 Greatest WrestleMania Moments
Who do you think will end up being Braun Strowman’s tag team partner at WWE WrestleMania 34?