Braun Strowman won his first world title in WWE at WrestleMania 36, but who will be his first opponent on Friday Night SmackDown.
After Roman Reigns put his health and his family’s safety first by pulling out of WrestleMania 36, Braun Strowman became the new challenger for Goldberg’s WWE Universal Title.
Goldberg won the championship in February in Saudi Arabia by defeating The Fiend in a booking decision that was widely panned. Reigns was the ideal person to defeat Goldberg, though, so at least the end result was supposed to be the same.
Strowman’s Universal Title win changes the expected landscape of SmackDown after WrestleMania, and while Braun doesn’t have the same momentum in WWE, it’s important to remember that in 2018, he was on track to be the next big star.
Here are five possible Universal Title opponents for Strowman, who will do everything in his power to remind fans that he’s world championship material.
Sheamus
Since Sheamus decided to target smaller wrestlers, specifically Short G, upon his return to WWE television, it only makes sense for him to be humbled by the Monster Among Men.
The Celtic Warrior has won four world championships in WWE but has never been in the Universal Title picture before. Since returning to Friday Night SmackDown, he’s made it clear that his ultimate goal is to run the table in the division.
Sheamus vs. Strowman could be a great rivalry, since Sheamus has stepped up his game to another level over the past few years. He seems to get better with age, and his veteran instincts and clicking personality could make him a strong foil for Braun early in the new champion’s reign.
The Fiend
Bray Wyatt vs. Braun Strowman has the makings of a dream rivalry, calling back to the days when Strowman was a relative unknown as a member of the Wyatt Family. Strowman has come a long way since then, first making his mark as a rising star in late 2016 during a rivalry with current Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn. (It’s crazy to think both men are finally champions at the same time in 2020!)
After his Firefly Fun House match with John Cena on Night 2 of WrestleMania 36, Wyatt is back in business and ready to pursue championship gold. Braun may need to face a couple of opponents before Wyatt, though, because it’s hard to see him beating The Fiend. And it would be VERY interesting to see how Strowman’s character changes after facing The Fiend.
King Corbin
An easy opponent – and victory – for Braun Strowman would involve a rivalry with King Corbin. Strowman is a babyface right now, so facing Corbin would be an easy way for Strowman to get positive reactions from the crowd. Corbin is WWE’s go-to heel, and any babyface going up against him is bound to receive overwhelmingly positive reactions. Everyone loves to boo Corbin.
Of course, any program with Corbin needs to be short, since there isn’t much mileage in feuding with someone whose heat primarily stems from fans not being able to stand them. Strowman would make quick work of Corbin, but their title match could be a fantastic one, noting how athletic both big men are.
Cesaro
Cesaro got the job done against Drew Gulak on the first night of WrestleMania 36’s kick-off show, and it would be nice to see him pick up some more momentum in 2020 as part of the “artistic” stable with Shinsuke Nakamura and Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn.
While Zayn’s days as champion seem numbered with Daniel Bryan breathing down his neck, this trio has serious potential on Friday nights with minimal investment from WWE. Cesaro, Nakamura, and Zayn are three of the most prolific wrestlers in the world, and Cesaro has always been particularly adept at providing highlight-reel material. Look no further than his match with Gulak.
Like Corbin vs. Strowman, a feud between Cesaro and Strowman wouldn’t last long. In all honesty, it would probably be a one-off, open-challenge type of match. But it would be an absolute banger, as Cesaro could make Strowman look that much better in the ring as a champion.
Big E
I was mulling putting Roman Reigns, who would be an ideal pick to defeat Braun Strowman after their past history, in the final spot, but I’m not sure I’m comfortable thinking about him wrestling at this time.
So instead, I’ll save the final pick for Big E, who could have a gem of a match with the Monster Among Men. There could be some wholesome (or “wholesome”) pre-match content between the two of them, knowing what E brings to the table on the mic.
Big E is one of the best wrestlers in WWE, and a one-off world title match with Strowman could remind the audience of why he’s so special inside the squared circle. His energy, in-ring IQ, creativity, and power game are all excellent, and, like Cesaro, he could help Strowman earn immediate respect as Universal Champion.