8 Big Concerns Heading Into WWE TLC 2017

3. A Miserable Monster

The Shield Entrance
WWE.com

Braun Strowman took a dismal loss at No Mercy, falling to Brock Lesnar in surprisingly quick (and easy) fashion. It was the worst possible outcome. 'The Monster Among Men' is strong enough to recover, but he's WWE's hottest commodity at the moment, and protecting him should've been a key priority. It wasn't, and the company chose to feed him to 'The Beast' instead.

His inclusion in The Shield's comeback match presents all kinds of problems. The biggest nightmare scenario is that Strowman falls once making, taking the pinfall for one of Rollins, Reigns, or Ambrose. The Miz and Kane's presence in the bout should prevent this from happening, but it shouldn't be ruled out entirely, as WWE may use it as an opportunity for Roman to get one over in their ongoing feud.

Braun's presence greatly complicates the handicap dynamic, too. He is Raw's most dominant force, and should crush most opponents in a fair fight, let alone when he has a numerical advantage. Here, he'll be facing an outnumbered, outgunned side. The only logical way to book this is to have Strowman and co. dominate the faces, restricting them only to a handful of hope spots, but that won't happen. The Shield need to look good, so we're probably getting an ineffectual, miserable monster instead.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.