7 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Jan 13)

5. Power Meets Power

GUNTHER Braun Strowman
WWE.com

Arguably, GUNTHER is at his best when he's the larger wrestler in the match and can bounce smaller opponents around the place like pinballs. Take that notion, roll it up into a ball and toss it, because the big Austrian showed off some range vs. Braun Strowman.

Braun posed a different kind of in-ring challenge for the reigning Intercontinental Champ, if only 'cause he's more limited in what he can do compared to someone like Sheamus or Rey Mysterio. Both guys killed it here though. They made the most of their time, and didn't rush through everything they could think of for the sake of it.

GUNTHER and Braun worked a hell of a match.

It was particularly nice to see the champ lean on some submission moves too. That broke up the 'power vs. power' presentation nicely, and gave the announcers an excuse to talk about GUNTHER's ever-expanding arsenal on commentary.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.