Did You Really Want Braun Strowman To Win At WWE Crown Jewel?

Braun Strowman failed to capture the WWE Universal Championship at Crown Jewel, and the internet was less than happy. But considering the controversy surrounding the event, isn’t it better that way?

It’s a question that needs to be asked, because everyone was up-in-arms over the results of WWE Crown Jewel and it has me scratching my head.

Okay, some of that is deserved–I’m looking at you Shane McMahon–but some of it actually makes sense. That’s why I’m dumbfounded at how upset people are at Braun Strowman losing to Brock Lesnar, and thus making Brock a part-time WWE Universal Champion again–at the big event.

Because in my opinion, this was the right call to make.

Before we get to the reasons behind this, let’s look at some of the rumors surrounding this match:

• Brock Lesnar signed a new contract. This is straight up bullshit to me. Brock already signed a new deal earlier in the year that pays him approximately $600k per match and $125k per appearance. Why would he need a new deal? That was an appearance deal and doesn’t have to end. They can just book him for more dates. If you only count October and November, he’s making $1.5 million for two matches and two appearances!
• Braun Strowman didn’t win because of backstage issues. Another round of bullshit? Maybe. I’d be more willing to buy into his knee injury talk than any backstage/behavior/attitude issues.

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s get to the matter at hand. But why didn’t Braun win at Crown Jewel?

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Short Term Booking?

Like I said on this week’s Greg DeMarco Show, this is likely a case of WWE booking backwards and actually not having a knee jerk reaction. When Roman Reigns had to relinquish the Universal Championship, it’s easy to think WWE first asks “What are we doing at Crown Jewel?” and/or “What are we doing with the Universal Championship?”

But that’s not how it work. I guarantee you the first question on their agenda was “What are we doing at WrestleMania?” And the answer was likely wither “Braun Strowman wins the Universal Championship” or “Seth Rollins wins the Universal Championship.” As much as you and I would love to see AJ Styles standing tall at the end of the night at Met Life Stadium in April, we all know it’s either Strowman, Rollins, or Ronda Rousey getting that spot.

You can’t look at booking on a single-show basis. Reigns leaving meant a quick overhaul over long-term plans (yes, WWE does long-term planning). If the plan is for Rollins or Braun to win the Universal Championship at WrestleMania (the original plan was almost assuredly Roman Reigns retaining that title), then they have to build the road to it. Yes, they could have used someone like Dolph Ziggler or Drew McIntyre, but the former has had that shot and the latter is likely starting his mega-push at RawAfterMania in April.

So you bring in the proven name in Brock Lesnar to win the Championship and take you down the Road To WrestleMania. The Royal Rumble could give us some clues if Seth Rollins or Braun Strowman emerge victorious at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Recommended Reading: Is Seth Rollins The Guy To Beat Brock Lesnar?

And Didn’t You Hate Everything Crown Jewel?

This is the part that kills me: y’all hated Crown Jewel! Really, the hatred for this event was off the charts. Folks were pissed that the WWE even considered having it, let along actually producing the event!

So do you really want THAT SHOW to be Braun Strowman’s crowning achievement? (See what I did there?)

Given the choice, I would pick WrestleMania 35 over Crown Jewel for Braun Strowman’s big moment 10 times out of 10. My viewpoint is the same if it’s Rollins, McIntyre, or anyone else. Brock Lesnar winning the Universal Championship isn’t a “moment,” it’s a stop on the road to ‘Mania.

You hated this show so much, be glad WWE didn’t use it to give Braun his big moment.

Sometimes you need to take three steps back and see things for what they really are. It’s already November, we are essentially a week away from what looks to be a kick ass Survivor Series card (on paper). Next thing you know it’s TLC time, and then we’re marching to NYC (err…NJ). Let it marinate, have some fun with it, and see how things shake out in the end. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

What do you think… Will this all make sense by WrestleMania 35? Are you patient enough for that? Agree or disagree with me on Twitter @ChairshotGreg, @theCHAIRSHOTcom, and use #UseYourHead!