WWE SmackDown Smacks/Downs: Braun Strowman a lackluster replacement

Dud: a lackluster replacement announcement with no reason given

I don’t blame you if you missed this announcement on the show. It was about 15 seconds buried deep into the show. Oh, it was also strategically placed after the Elias/King Corbin video package and match graphic. Michael Cole said, “Goldberg will now face…” and nothing more.

That’s it. There was no mention of Reigns, his withdrawal from the match, nor any justification for Braun Strowman being in the match. All they did was replace Reigns in the graphic.

Finding out Reigns’ replacement and just how it was done was the main reason I tuned into the show last night. Needless to say, I was thoroughly disappointed at what transpired.

Would it really have been that difficult to have Strowman cut a 30-second promo on “taking out Reigns” and coming for Goldberg? At least that way, there is some kayfabe reason, some logic to the change in booking.

Also, there were so many obvious moments where Cole’s commentary was post-produced (mostly during transitions and match graphics), so again, why not with Strowman?

Am I being harsh considering the circumstances? Maybe. Does that detract from the utterly uninspired and illogical change? Hardly.

Then again, for a company anathema to say “coronavirus” or mention the pandemic, discussing their top act withdrawing from the card due to concerns over the virus definitely isn’t going to be mentioned, huh?

If you still think I’m being harsh, think about this: Goldberg is the wielder of the top men’s championship on the brand, making his match at WrestleMania arguably the biggest match on the show for SmackDown. Not only was there no build to the match on the go-home show (I know, I know, circumstances), but the announcement did nothing to make me excited or even indifferent to the match.

I’m just left wondering, “Really?” I mean, he did lose the Intercontinental Championship in his last match, a match with stipulations he set for himself as well. Then again, as I’ve said before, WWE has consistently shown us that wins and losses really don’t matter.

He also hasn’t been seen since losing the Intercontinental Championship, and somehow just like that, he’s in the world championship match for the brand at the biggest PPV of the year. Just…how?

Well, all Reigns did to “earn” the title shot was march to the ring, grab a mic, and tell Goldberg, “I’m next,” after all. This isn’t too far removed from that.

It also seemed clear that this was to be Reigns’ shining moment (again), successfully wrenching the title from the grasps of those dreaded part-timers (remember his promo that I hated?). Reigns was supposed to be the workhorse champion heading into SummerSlam season.

Does the change to Strowman mean anything other than a successful defense for Goldberg? Probably not. Either it’s going to be a quick match with a couple pf spears and what sort of, kind of looks like a jackhammer, or Strowman is going to crash and burn (hi, Steve Corino!) into a barricade and eat Goldberg’s signature moves upon reentering the ring.

Hopefully, it will be more enjoyable than either of those options, but, well, I’m not optimistic.