Braun Strowman on ‘Monday Night Raw.’ (WWE.com)
Braun Strowman is expected to be sidelined on Monday Night Raw in the coming weeks due to an injury.
This is not a part of any WWE storyline; rather, Strowman legitimately is hurt, and this really has forced the WWE to completely alter its plans for the next few months.
So what information is currently available about Braun Strowman’s injury? Here’s what you need to know.
1. His Injury Was First Reported on Monday, May 8th
Braun Strowman fights Sami Zayn at ‘Roadblock: End of the Line.’ (WWE.com)
Word of Braun Strowman’s injury came on Monday, May 8th.
Pro Wrestling Sheet first reported that Braun Strowman was to undergo a minor procedure to fix an elbow issue. It sounded like there wasn’t exactly one match where he got injured, but rather, he has been needing this procedure for some time now.
“Pro Wrestling Sheet has learned Braun Strowman is scheduled to be out of action following tonight’s Raw taping to undergo a minor procedure to fix some issues with his elbow,” the report read.
This came ahead of the May 8th episode of Monday Night Raw, and it came as Strowman’s character was said to be suffering a torn rotator cuff due to his match with Roman Reigns at Payback. That was fake, but this elbow injury is very much real.
2. He Was Originally Expected to Be Out for Four to Eight Weeks
Braun Strowman interferes in a match between Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens. (WWE.com)
Pro Wrestling Sheet’s initial report said that Braun Strowman was expected to be out for somewhere between four and eight weeks.
Depending on what his recovery looks like, then, that would place his return sometime between June 5th and July 3rd.
The Wrestling Observer later reported that it was still uncertain when Strowman might be able to return but that the early estimates were that he would be back in time for Great Balls of Fire on July 9th. However, Strowman was pulled from all events even beyond that July 9th pay-per-view.
Wrestling News World recently reported that Strowman had been “working hurt” for about a week with nagging injuries and that the injury was to his UCL, although it’s not a complete tear.
3. He Recently Underwent Surgery, and the WWE Now Says He Will Be Out for Six Months
Braun Strowman undergoes surgery to fix an elbow issue. (WWE.com)
Braun Strowman recently underwent the elbow surgery that had been previously reported.
WWE.com reported this on Monday, May 15th, though they said that the surgery took place on Thursday, May 11th. WWE.com’s report also said that Strowman is now expected to miss six months of action.
“During the procedure, it was revealed, among his other injuries, that Strowman’s elbow had been shattered, and he is expected to miss up to six months of action as a result,” WWE.com said.
It was immediately clear, though, that this update was at least partially fictional. After all, it also claims that this injury was a result of Roman Reigns’ attack on last week’s Raw, which is obviously not the case.
On May 15th’s episode of Monday Night Raw, Kurt Angle announced this six month figure to the WWE audience.
4. The Six Month Figure Is Reportedly an Exaggeration & He Will Return for ‘SummerSlam’
Braun Strowman faces Kalisto tonight on ‘Raw.’ (WWE.com)
For about a day, it remained unclear whether Braun Strowman legitimately was expected to miss six months of action or whether this was simply a storytelling device.
However, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter later reported that it’s the latter; they say that the six month figure is an exaggeration, and Strowman won’t be gone nearly that long.
In fact, the Observer reports that Strowman is expected to be back in time for SummerSlam, which takes place in August.
5. This Has Forced the WWE to Dramatically Alter Its Plans
Braun Strowman being injured is, of course, incredibly inconvenient for the WWE, and this will force the company to change its plans.
After all, Strowman was expected to fight Roman Reigns at Extreme Rules next month, and then Brock Lesnar at Great Balls of Fire in July.
But this will no longer be able to happen. On Monday, May 16th, it was announced that the Extreme Rules main event will be a fatal five-way between Roman Reigns, Bray Wyatt, Finn Balor, Samoa Joe and Seth Rollins. The winner will go on to face Brock Lesnar at Great Balls of Fire.
The Wrestling Observer had previously reported that Brock Lesnar at Great Balls of Fire will likely face either Seth Rollins or Finn Balor.
Last week, Braun Strowman acknowledged the legitimacy of these injury reports. In a post on his Instagram page, Strowman said, “This surgery is just a minor speed bump I will return bigger stronger faster and even more dangerous than ever mark my words I’m the definition of unstoppable!!!”
Strowman also said that he will return to finish what he’s started, namely carving his name in history as the most destructive thing the WWE has ever seen. And on Thursday, Strowman tweeted, “U have no idea what’s in store for!!!!! #ImNotFinishedWithYou #DOOMSDAY.”