Braun Strowman to defend title in 2-on-1 handicap match

Braun Strowman will defend his title against former tag team champion.

The 2020 edition of WWE Backlash is a few weeks away and the card continues to take shape. WWE Universal Champion, Braun Strowman was not to be left off the card as his next title defense was announced during SmackDown on Fox. Strowman is set to face not only The Miz, but also his tag team partner, John Morrison in a handicap match for the Universal title.

SmackDown on Fox opened with the former tag team champions in the ring doing their usual back and forth. Their banter brought out the champion which led to Morrison offering his partner up to Strowman in a one on one match. As expected, Strowman pinned the Miz, but it would be Morrison who grabbed the microphone after the match to challenge Strowman to the handicap match. The champion accepted and the match was made “official” later in the evening.

Strowman won the title back at WrestleMania where he stepped in for Roman Reigns at the last minute. Strowman, an individual who’ve many described as “mismanaged” on the WWE roster, has been thrust into this position as champion at a time when professional wrestling is in a standstill due to the global pandemic caused by COVID-19. The WWE is putting on content with a limited roster, which was created some creative, but not always great, decision-making during this time. The handicap match might not have created a lot of excitement at its announcement but has the potential to deliver what could be a suitable match.

Braun Strowman’s competition

The Miz and Morrison are an entertaining pair that does the best when they can play the slimy heels that cheat and deliver cheap one-liners. Strowman has lacked an opportunity to remind viewers that he is a powerful monster that can destroy opponents on sheer force alone. What helped him get over initially with fans is the way he would squash multiple opponents at once leading up to his feud with Roman Reigns. Then, the feats of strength such as flipping an ambulance put him at a point where fans would cheer for nearly anything he would do. Since then, WWE has watered his character down massively to the point where he was close to becoming an afterthought in the title picture.

While his run as champion has come due to the need to fill in, this handicap match against The Miz and Morrison has the potential to help rebuild his character. Strowman needs more opportunity to look good in the ring and with two professionals that can sell and tell stories like The Miz and Morrison, this should be an opportunity for him to look very good while retaining the title at WWE Backlash.