6 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE Raw (26 Aug - Results & Review)

1. Replicating A Successful Formula

Braun Strowman achieved a fair amount of success during his feud with Roman Reigns in part by completing ridiculous feats of strength, such as tipping over an ambulance. The almost cartoonish scenes added to his lore and turned him into a bona fide attraction.

WWE is clearly tapping back into that formula with Bronson Reed, turning to the ridiculous and absurd to get the Aussie over with fans. During the past few weeks, Reed has squashed several wrestlers with a series of Tsunami splashes, with each one generating a bigger reaction from fans as they chant for one more. But they couldn’t rely solely on that, as it runs the risk of becoming old fast.

Monday night, they turned to the original sideshow himself, Strowman, in a “big meaty men slapping meat” match against Reed, with the two just battering each other until they wandered up the ramp and backstage for a double count-out. But the fight wasn’t over.

The two chucked security guards around (those guys had a rotten night!) before battling into the parking lot, where they fought on top of cars. Reed finally gained the upper hand with a steel pipe, then climbed on top of a concrete wall and delivered a breathtaking Tsunami onto Braun, who was laid out on the roof of a car. The windows blew out and the roof caved, rightly drawing an insane reaction inside the arena.

Was it contrived? Absolutely. But was it an incredible spectacle that served to further enhance Reed’s growing reputation? Also a hard yes. Smart move.