From the WWE Rumor Mill: Why did Braun Strowman leave WWE's Holiday Tour early?

What's the story?

According to PWInsider, RAW Superstar Braun Strowman was granted leave from WWE's Holiday Tour after he came down with an illness, and had to go home on Thursday.

The first two nights of the tour saw The Monster Among Men defeat Kane via DQ and then powerslam him through a table at a live event in Madison Square Garden on the day after Christmas and on the December 27th live event in Long Island.

Braun Strowman vs. Kane - #WWEMSG Live Event FanCam New York: https://t.co/NPi0s0hyC7 via @YouTube

— ProWrestling FanCam (@ProWresFanCam) December 27, 2017

In case you didn't know...

Braun Strowman is currently one of the top WWE stars on Monday Night RAW. He is developing into one of the company's biggest babyfaces since WWE made the decision to turn him from villain to hero at the TLC PPV in October, when The Miz, Sheamus, Cesaro and Kane turned on him during a match with The Shield, putting him in a garbage truck.

Strowman has been feuding with Kane over the past couple of months, having multiple matches with him on RAW and live events.

It was announced on the 18th of December episode of RAW by General Manager Kurt Angle that both Strowman and Kane would go up against Universal Champion Brock Lesnar in a triple threat match for the title at the Royal Rumble PPV in January.

This is Strowman's third opportunity to win the Championship having faced Lesnar in a Fatal 4-Way match involving Samoa Joe and Roman Reigns in the main event of SummerSlam in August, as well as one-on-one at the No Mercy PPV in September, coming up short both times.

The heart of the matter

Strowman's sickness meant he missed the WWE Raw Holiday Tour Live Event in Hartford, Connecticut. on the 28th of December, the one in Albany, New York on the 29th of December, and the final one of the tour in Toronto, Ontario in Canada, on the 30th of December, which was a big disappointment for his fans.

Kane sang with Elias in New York, Albany instead of a match with Strowman.

Kane sings with Elias - #WWEAlbany Holiday Tour FanCam: https://t.co/dqsYjbh0qp via @YouTube

— ProWrestling FanCam (@ProWresFanCam) December 30, 2017

Yes you read that right, Kane sang, but apparently, in Toronto the next night, Kane did not walk with Elias and chokeslammed him.

#WWELive Report from @RICOHColiseum: Kane chokeslammed Elias after Elias uses a Drake song to diss the #Toronto audience. #WWE putting smiles on faces.

— JD (@MMAeducator) December 31, 2017

What's next?

Although Braun may be in a race against time to get better for the next episode of RAW on Monday, he will most probably be alright to take part in the Universal Title triple threat match at the Royal Rumble on January 28th.

It is presumed WWE will have Lesnar retain the Universal Title, as the rumoured WrestleMania 34 main event is him vs. Reigns for Championship.

Author's take

I hope that Braun Strowman will recover from his illness quickly. The guy has made RAW watchable in 2017, and his speedy rise to the top has been some of WWE's best booking in years.

So it wouldn't be fitting if Strowman was not ok for the first RAW of 2018 on Monday, which is New Year's Day.

I am excited for the triple theat match for the Universal Title with Brock Lesnar, Kane and Strowman.

WWE seems to really believe in Strowman because apparently, Kane is only in the match so Braun is protected and Lesnar pins The Big Red Machine instead.