Are Braun Strowman's Opponents Outshining the Dominant WWE Superstar?

Braun Strowman has quickly become one of the most anticipated aspects of Raw in the New Era. His one-sided matches are a weekly treat on WWE's flagship show, and that's due in part to the physical dominance of this mammoth super heavyweight, but it's also a result of the increasingly absurd cameo performances by his hopeless opponents.

Prior to meeting their doom, Strowman's opponents, all of whom seem better equipped for the upcoming cruiserweight division, are interviewed by Byron Saxton. Like an execution, they are presented with a chance to say their final words. But what begun as a throwaway conversation is blowing up into a gold mine for comedy, as each enhancement talent seems to be on a mission to outdo his predecessor.

The pre-match interview has added a fun twist to an otherwise tired formula of squash matches as WWE looks to build Strowman into a premier monster heel. But as the promos get more zany, is it possible these local competitors are taking the spotlight away from Strowman?

James Ellsworth

Strowman Body Count: Victim No. 1

Winning Quote: "Any man with two hands has a fighting chance. I can only imagine what that'll do...for my career."

James Ellsworth's quote may seem cliche, but enough cannot be said about how he sold fear and remorse while Strowman slowly stormed to the ring, staring him down as if he were a wounded zebra.

Ellsworth's triangular face only enhanced the use of his on-point facial expressions, as he appeared to be a defeated man before the match even began. It was this interview that set the tone for what these segments would be. Sure, Strowman was going to thoroughly dominate these markedly smaller athletes, but their abilities to perform as unwilling participants put him over as an even scarier monster.

The performance of his first victim was important in establishing the Strowman segments as being worthy of attention. Following the Monday Night Wars, wrestling fans became spoiled with pay-per-view-quality matches on free TV. Fans had every reason to tune out of a perceived squash match, but this added element of goofiness kept things interesting.

Evan Anderholm

Strowman Body Count: Victim No. 2

Winning Quote: "I get $1,000. And if I win, I get $5,000!"

Evan Anderholm began a theme that would persist the following week when he immediately tried to escape the ring once the bell rang. This only added more hilarity to Anderholm's brash pre-match comments, as he was apparently content with the $1,000 he was promised to wrestle Strowman.

It was important Anderholm tried to escape once the bell rang in order to play up the fear of facing Strowman. He didn't even consider earning the extra $4,000, which helped establish the fact even he knew he had no chance.

Anderholm's false confidence served as another home run because, for the second week in a row, an enhancement talent added another dimension to the squash formula. These extra elements are important to winning over even the most jaded pro wrestling consumers.

Jorel Nelson

Strowman Body Count: Victim No. 3

Winning Quote: "..."

In terms of pre-match performance, Jorel Nelson has been the weakest of Strowman's four opponents. He has been the only local competitor to receive theme music, so maybe that made it seem like less of a squash match.

Still, Nelson stuck to the script, coming off as the most fearful of the four. In fact, WWE booked him to be so scared that he couldn't utter a word. Nelson did a good job as a tentative wrestler who was looking for a way out. He wasted no time attempting to run out of the ring like Anderholm from the week before, and he suffered the same fate as his fellow journeymen.

It helped that Nelson didn't get in a lick of offense, but after WWE had raised the bar with its past two relative unknowns, this had to be considered as something of letdown.

Johnny Knockout

Strowman Body Count: Victim No. 4

Winning Quote: "I like big, sweaty men."

Strowman received the week off during what would have been his fourth straight week of dishing out punishment. Instead, WWE aired a video package of the previous three weeks while Nia Jax, the women's equivalent to this push, received the live spotlight all to herself.

If Nelson was a letdown, Johnny Knockout was the get-right matchup. Knockout won over the hearts and minds of fans prior to his own downfall. When pressed by Saxton, Knockout admitted to taking this match because he likes big, sweaty men.

Many wrestling fans were quick to point out this may be evidence of WWE exploring an LGBT storyline, as WWE chief brand officer Stephanie McMahon recently told Jodi Savitz of NBC Out that WWE was interested in integrating such storylines into its programming.

While Knockout was entertaining in his cameo, hopefully the promotion will find more subtle ways to do so.

Braun Strowman: Looking Forward

Has Strowman been outshone by talents who are traditionally supposed to come off as forgettable? Absolutely. But that's part of the magic of these segments. The anticipation of what the next enhancement talent will have to say is beginning to create buzz for matches that will involve Strowman.

Strowman is the straight man to the hilariously pitiful Ellsworth and the false bravado of Anderholm. Strowman doesn't get cute. His physical presence is impossible to ignore, and he uses his overt strength to beat people up. Any comedic aspect of these matches begins to dry up as soon as he steps into a ring to compete.

The former Wyatt Family member is on a slow burn to the main event picture, but the trick will be integrating him into more serious wrestling storylines without losing the charm and anticipation of squashing an eclectic group of undersized competitors.

Alfred Konuwa is a Featured Columnist and on-air host for Bleacher Report and Forbes. Like him on Facebook.