7 Ups And 5 Downs From Last Night's WWE Raw (Jan 30)

4. Braun's Chaotic Title Shot

WWE's handling of Braun Strowman has been close to perfect since the 2016 draft. The company's ability to build a compelling monster has never been in doubt, and they've been able to make Strowman feel like the most intimidating guy in the company without overexposure. He might be limited, but Braun feels fresh and exciting, and his malevolence is exactly what the brand needs at the moment.

Strowman wrestled Kevin Owens last night, and while the match didn't last all that long, it was bags of fun. The duo work very well together, and Braun was allowed to look strong against the current Universal Champion. It didn't matter that Roman Reigns' interference cut things short, either: all Roman did was show up, kick some ass, and leave. That's exactly what people want from "The Guy," and while Owens was once against left lying, it keeps Reigns' bad blood with both him and Strowman simmering.

We're going to need to see how Strowman fares in longer singles matches before judging his full potential, but he looks tremendous at the moment. Once one of the most awkward wrestlers in the company, his skills improve every time he's on the air, and his athleticism is almost frightening. Involving him in the main event scene is a smart move, and whether is next big feud is with Reigns, Big Show, or someone else, Braun is winning the crowd over, and well on his way to genuine title contention.