Braun Strowman is betting big on his own highlight reel

Braun Strowman just dropped a take so hot it might warp the arena floor. Speaking on his past history with Roman Reigns, the Monster Among Men told the world he would stack their 2017 to 2020 run against absolutely any feud in the history of the business. You can read the full breakdown over at WrestlingNews.co if you think I am hallucinating this level of confidence.

The internet, predictably, is currently a war zone. One side of the aisle recalls the ambulance spots and the sheer car-crash spectacle of those encounters. These fans argue that for a stretch during that era, Braun was the only guy who could actually make the crowd get behind him against Roman. He was throwing office equipment and turning over production trucks when that was still considered peak TV.

The skeptics are pointing at the booking

Not everyone is buying the legend. The contrarians have come out of the woodwork to point out that 'feud of the century' usually implies something more than just flipping over ambulances. Some redditors are noting that while the chemistry was undeniable, the repetitive finish of the matches often made things feel like a hamster wheel of booking. You can catch more details on the legacy of these matchups via WrestleTalk.

The skeptics have a point. If you look at the matches analytically, they were high-impact bangers that functioned as a transition phase for Roman before he eventually hit his stride as the Tribal Chief. Are they iconic? Sure. Are they Stone Cold versus The Rock? That is a bridge too far for most people hanging out on the message boards today. The nostalgia goggles are heavy on this one.

Missing the Tribal Chief

While we debate the history books, the present reality is looking a bit barren. As reported by WrestlingNews.co, Roman Reigns is no longer advertised for Raw shows in June. It feels like the air was sucked out of the room. When you have a massive name like that disappearing from the bill, every conversation about his past feuds feels like fans trying to fill the void while they wait for the next big thing at Backlash on May 9th.

The recent news about roster shuffles adds to the gloom. With names like JC Mateo and Tanga Loa reportedly no longer with the company, the mid-card feels emptier than a closed Wendy's at midnight. The combination of losing talent and the Head of the Table taking a breather has everyone feeling a bit touchy, which explains why a simple comment from Strowman sparked a three-day argument thread. Wrestling fans are essentially starved and looking for any reason to fight.

The verdict from the cheap seats

Here is the reality check: Strowman is right that they had magic, but he is wrong about the ranking. The rivalry was a 7.5 out of 10 on the all-time scale. It worked because it was simple. Roman needed a foil who could legitimately beat the hell out of him, and Braun needed the rub of being the one guy who wouldn't stay down. It was a perfect storm of timing and character work, but calling it the best ever is like saying your first car is the best vehicle ever manufactured because it got you to the movies once without breaking down.

The booking in 2018 often felt aimless, and looking back, the match frequency diluted the heat. You can only get hit by a steel chair so many times before it becomes a comedic prop. Still, in an era where we complain about over-produced, sterile matches, there is something to be said for two big guys literally trying to put each other in the hospital. I respect the hustle and the self-promotion; if you don't think you're the best, nobody else will.

We are just 6 days away from Backlash, so the timing of these comments is suspect. Whether he’s working the marks or just reminiscing, Strowman knows how to stir the pot. Now, if someone could just fix the current card for June, we might actually have something to look forward to besides arguing about the past. Until then, keep the popcorn ready. It’s going to be a long month of people yelling at each other on Discord about whether the Strowman-Reigns ambulance match holds up to the standards of the Attitude Era.

The bottom line

Look, wrestling is a business of hyperbole. If fighters didn't think their work was the greatest, they wouldn't put their bodies through a car crusher for a pop. I give Braun credit for the energy, but let's keep the historical comparisons grounded in reality. The chemistry was real, the spots were crazy, but there are legends for a reason. And until Roman is back on the marquee instead of disappearing from the June schedule, we are all just killing time until the next big return.