Wrestler Loses First Match Since Returning To WWE

The SmackDown World Cup didn't go to plan for this returning WWE worker.

by Jamie Kennedy
Braun Strowman Ricochet
WWE.com

Braun Strowman just lost his first WWE match since returning to the company in September.

Ricochet was booked to better Braun in their 'SmackDown World Cup' semi-final on the latest episode of blue brand telly. Meanwhile, Santos Escobar defeated Butch to advance to the final - that'll take place on the 2 December edition of SmackDown.

It'll be interesting to see where Strowman goes from here though. He'd been considered a firm favourite to win the trophy and then advance to an Intercontinental Title program vs. reigning champ GUNTHER. WWE even teased that on TV over the past few weeks, but now either Ricochet or Escobar will bag the title opportunity.

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Braun had won seven televised matches in a row (including a win vs. fellow giant Omos at Crown Jewel over in Saudi Arabia) before dropping to Rico. In addition, Strowman had been booked to dominate on WWE house shows by battering the likes of Sami Zayn, LA Knight and The Usos in either singles or multi-man matches.

SmackDown's commentators treated his first defeat since coming back as a major shock, but they did also put over Ricochet's guts.

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Contributor

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.