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So many booking decisions at Crown Jewel were truly puzzling. Why did Shane McMahon win the WWE World Cup? Why did DX go over the Brothers of Destruction for the second time, considering how protected The Undertaker and Kane have been in WWE's illustrious past? But the biggest head-scratcher was the Universal Championship win.
Why did Brock Lesnar win the Universal Championship and not Braun Strowman, everyone's asking! And they rightfully should, because at first glance, this is a decision that makes absolutely no sense. But I will give you five reasons that may make you view the whole thing a little differently.
This is just my supposition so I am not guaranteeing the fact that this is the case, really. But I have reason to believe that this was WWE's reasoning for booking the win.
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So without further ado, here are the five reasons.
#5 To fill the Reigns void
Not long ago, Roman Reigns relinquished his Universal Championship owing to the fact that he has been battling leukemia for many years now and the disease had made a recent and unfortunate resurgence. While Reigns battles the toughest opponent of his career, WWE is fighting a battle of their own- that of declining ratings.
The viewership has been dismal in the recent past, and the loss of Roman Reigns should only make things worse in the coming weeks. The Shield was the biggest draw on the show, until now. Now that the top faction on RAW does not exist anymore, I wonder what the future holds.
With Brock Lesnar making regular appearances on the show, the ratings should be steady. Lesnar is a draw and can help WWE regain all the lost viewers.
#4 To set up Lesnar vs. Styles again
AJ Styles may just be the best wrestler in the whole world. Brock Lesnar is perhaps the biggest draw in sports entertainment right now. The Champion vs. Champion clash at Survivor Series is a match made in heaven. It does not get any bigger than this, quite honestly.
And the fact of the matter is that the two men did put on a fabulous contest, once before, when they met last year. WWE must have been so impressed with the encounter that they scheduled yet another contest between the men. I am certain that the two men could put on an even better contest when they clash this year.
Braun Strowman vs. AJ Styles does not really have the same ring to it. Lesnar is a big deal, like him or not!
#3 WWE has other plans for Braun Strowman
Yes, Braun Strowman is one of the most protected superstars in the roster right now, for sure. But the fact of the matter is that WWE may not want him to be the Universal Champion yet. They certainly do have other plans for the man right now. They want him to take on Baron Corbin first.
Corbin did, in a way, cost Strowman the match. He attacked Strowman with the Universal Championship before the bell rang. I'm sure this angle will play out on RAW in weeks that follow.
Strowman and Drew McIntyre have also been at odds in recent times. Maybe the plan is for the two men to clash before Strowman and Lesnar collide once more.
Maybe Braun Strowman will become Universal Champion one day, but not right now for certain.
#2 To carry the title to UFC 230, this weekend
The grapevine indicates that WWE may have some big plans in store for The Beast Incarnate very soon indeed. And this indicates a crossover plan with the UFC. Remember how Lesnar was by the octagon at Daniel Cormier's last fight?
Some have suggested that Brock Lesnar may carry the Universal Championship to UFC 230, happening this weekend. Daniel Cormier has promised to slap Lesnar in the face if he decides to show up for a fight. Remember, the last time the two men met, Lesnar actually shoved Cormier following his victory.
Not a lot of UFC purists will be happy to see a WWE Championship brought into their sacred octagon for sure. But WWE may want more eyes on their product and even the UFC could benefit from an appearance from Lesnar.
#1 Good, old fashioned, swerve
Let's be honest for a minute. Everyone expected Braun Strowman to defeat Brock Lesnar comprehensively and become Universal Champion for the very first time. After all, Lesnar has big plans in the UFC and would not benefit from a WWE run (is what everyone thought). As Lesnar has done time and again, he just proved everyone wrong.
There is a certain mystique to Lesnar. WCW Booker Kevin Sullivan once told me that Lesnar is one of the few superstars from WWE not on social media, and therefore, he always keeps the audience guessing. He is the king of the swerve and comes with loads of surprises, every time he competes.
What WWE essentially did at Crown Jewel is book a massive swerve. They swept the rug from under the audience's feet, leaving them all guessing.
I still don't know what's next for Lesnar, beyond AJ Styles and Survivor Series!
