10 Wrestlers Who Have Hit The Glass Ceiling In WWE

by Andy H Murray

1. Braun Strowman

Braun Strowman
WWE

Not including the 2016 Royal Rumble, Braun Strowman is 0-6 with one no contest in World Title matches. That's bad. Not Samoa Joe bad, but bad.

Clash of Champions 2019 showed us Strowman's true ceiling. Though he has the charisma, presence, and enough in-ring chops to be a World Champion, it looks like WWE see him primarily as a scalp. He's not The Guy, but A Guy, and he's only ever heated up when whoever's holding the big red belt needs a credible victory, hence why 'The Monster Among Men' prevailed in his awesome feud with Bobby Lashley, then fell to Seth Rollins in a shade over 10 minutes.

There'll always be a big role for a performer like Braun in a Vince McMahon product, but he was the hottest thing in the company in 2017 and has cooled off considerably since then. If he weren't such a spetactle he'd be extremely difficult to take seriously anymore.

Braun's busted knees are reportedly held up as the reason WWE haven't strapped him yet; a problem compounded by his size, fast-moving style, and age (36). His current role is probably it for him. Whether or not that is justified is up to you to decide, but not beating Brock Lesnar at No Mercy 2017 increasingly feels like a missed opportunity.

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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.