10 Wrestlers Who Improved At Something They Were Terrible At

5. Braun Strowman - Being Really Dangerous

Roman Reigns
WWE.com

How Braun Strowman was ever allowed to perform his front chokeslam is, like the Evolution faction - or why WWE felt like they could get away with marketing the all-women's Evolution pay-per-view as the first of its kind - a mystery.

The regular chokeslam is relatively safe because those on the receiving end absorb the brunt of the blow across a large surface area. Before common sense prevailed, Braun used to land a succession of it's-alright-they're-desperate-for-the-exposure enhancement talents plum on their noses with the same recklessness WWE shows to long-term storytelling continuity. It was like a weekly, misjudged homage to Taka Michinoku's infamous Royal Rumble 2000 splat-bump: an involuntarily hilarious move you felt bad for laughing at because the scope for error was brutally vast.

After retiring the move, Strowman grew immeasurably as a performer, one able to elicit excitement and ensure the safety of his performers in spite of his preposterous strength.

Mercifully, the only performer Strowman inadvertently struck with undue force was one Brock Lesnar, who responded in vicious kind with a brain-rattling receipt.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.