10 New Directions For WWE After Royal Rumble 2017

5. A Big Push For Baron Corbin

Undertaker Roman Reigns
WWE.com

Speaking of Strowman, many thought that Sami Zayn may have had the honour of eliminating the monster in a manner similar to Maven and The Undertaker in 2002. Sami has been the brunt of Braun’s rampage for weeks, and eliminating him from the Rumble would have been a good way for him to gain a measure of revenge without sacrificing Strowman’s monstrous aura. It wasn’t to be, however: Zayn spent 47 minutes in the ring but accomplished very little, and Baron Corbin eliminated Strowman instead.

This is an excellent rub for Corbin, who has flirted with SmackDown’s main event scene for several weeks now. The Lone Wolf can’t match Braun’s intimidation factor, but he’s a brutish wrestler himself, and eliminating the titan gives him something to brag about in his next Talking Smack interview. It’s one of the biggest moments of his young main roster career thus far, and it should result in a major push.

SmackDown’s main event scene is as thin as Corbin’s hairline, so elevating Baron makes sense. He’ll almost certainly feature in the Elimination Chamber match, and remain one of SD’s most consistently pushed wrestlers thereafter. Braun’s elimination was always going to be treated like a major moment last night, and this is a perfect springboard for Corbin’s ongoing elevation.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.