How Braun Strowman Became WWE's Best Modern Day Monster

But build the company did when they started from scratch on the July 25th edition of Monday Night Raw. Making and breaking James Ellsworth in one pitch perfect segment, WWE got back to doing what they do best, and had the near-7 footer annihilate the wonderfully feeble-looking jobber in a vicious squash. His aesthetic slightly refined to reflect a shift from backwoods henchman to lean killer, Strowman did loads with little, bruising James with kicks, throws and a running splash that hit with such force that the ring wobbled on impact. A reverse chokeslam wasn't the strongest finish, but completed the destruction with admirable aplomb.

The same followed for weeks (though no victims were able to make similar strides as the charismatic Ellsworth), with Braun eventually threatening General Manager Mick Foley and anybody else that would listen in a drive for proper competition. This element of the gimmick was important - by trouncing all in front of him and wanting more, Strowman talked as tough a game as he fought, and a rewarding programme routinely kicking the sh*t out of lamb-to-the-slaughter Sami Zayn helped the permanent transition up from battling local goons.

Mixing in with Roman Reigns as he had done on his very first night, Strowman triggered the feud that would eventually propel him to topline status and craft some of the year's finest moments. First screwing Roman out of the Universal Title at the Royal Rumble, he suffered his first televised loss against 'The Big Dog' at February's Fastlane pay-per-view, but would take spectacular revenge the week after Reigns retired The Undertaker at WrestleMania 33. As a set piece, it would be one of the finest in Raw history, and set the tone for every major angle and match he's been involved with since.

Decking Roman as he postured on destroying 'The Deadman', Strowman relentlessly beat on 'The Big Dog' in a manner completely unseen since the separation of The Shield. Literally launching him down corridors and into every fixture and fitting they stumbled past, Braun was vicious and unyielding. The decimated Reigns was placed in an ambulance, but Strowman wasn't finished. Gloriously stupid but overwhelmingly enjoyable, he tipped the vehicle on its' side, then pushed his stretcher-bound nemesis off a backstage platform to the abyss below.

It was an incredible, career-making vignette...