WWE SmackDown Smacks/Downs: Braun Strowman receives a chilling threat

Smack: a well-told story with a hook for part two

Week after week after week after week I have praised the story between Universal Champion Strowman and his challenger, Wyatt.

Make that a fifth consecutive week.

While Wyatt has done the bulk of the promo work as we build towards tomorrow night’s match, last night Strowman showed he can play mind games a little bit. He also showed he might have found his comfort level on the mic.

Wyatt as the maniacal, creepy, exuberant kids show host, particularly when juxtaposed to the complete opposite in The Fiend, is one of the better characters in WWE. Wyatt’s facial expressions as he speaks (look at that smile as he offered Strowman the black sheep mask) are superb, and really reinforces what we’ve all been thinking: what a deranged man.

Wyatt having two goals in the match is also coherent. His first goal, as Wyatt, is for Strowman to “return home,” possibly as the enforcer reminiscent of his days under the former “Eater of Worlds.” Remember, he told Strowman last night, “All I ever really wanted was for you to say you’re sorry.” By defeating Strowman and bringing him back under his “guidance,” Wyatt would receive the ultimate “I’m sorry” from Strowman.

His second goal isn’t actually his, but The Fiend’s: recapture what The Fiend believes is rightfully his in the Universal Championship. Speaking presumably for The Fiend (or maybe Wyatt does want the Universal Championship?) Wyatt told Strowman, “I just need to remove that burden right there that you’re keeping around your waist.”

(I guess if anyone knows the “burden” of having the title, it would be Wyatt/The Fiend who unceremoniously had to drop the championship to Goldberg because reasons.)

In previous interactions, Strowman seemed to a little too pumped up on the mic. Last night he found a great balance. When he responded to Strowman and the puppets telling him to “come home,” he was calm yet serious. “Bray, I am home, and I got the Universal Championship. This Sunday, I’m gonna keep it, and you’re going to be stuck playing with your puppets.”

The look in Strowman’s eyes made me believe that he believed the words he spoke (I wrote why I think Strowman should retain here, so I’m expecting a Strowman victory).

Then he threw me off (in a good way) as he stared at Wyatt and laughingly said, “Bye, see ya Sunday! Hahaha!” as he exited the ring. To me, that moment was one of those “How the turntables have…” I mean table-turning moments.

Strowman’s intention seemed to have worked as Wyatt looked legitimately disappointed (again with his great facial expressions).

Then Wyatt said, “I tried, Braun. I tried, I’m sorry, I tried!” Uh oh.

Here’s where the hook for part two comes into play. I’ve predicted that Wyatt loses and realizes he needs to be The Fiend in order to defeat the “black sheep” that is the “Monster among Men.” Wyatt enters Sunday trying to bring Strowman back to his flock only to realize that’s futile. He loses, probably clean.

Next Friday, I expect we’ll see a certain horror-clown mask wearing individual make his presence known, possibly putting Strowman to sleep with a surprise Mandible Claw attack.

My concern? Extreme Rules is the next PPV on the schedule, so the match between Strowman and The Fiend will probably be a gimmick match. Please, please just don’t make it a Hell in a Cell match.

Whatever the case, this has been the best-told story on SmackDown at worst and WWE at best. The match might not be a mat classic, but at least they’ve done their part to garner interest.