Braun Strowman's Best Potential Feuds After Beating Sami Zayn on WWE Raw

WWE's newest monster claimed his latest victim on Monday night's WWE Raw.

Braun Strowman battled Sami Zayn in a Last Man Standing match—a bout that saw Zayn go down in the end. Fans cheered as Zayn fought hard to stay alive, but he just couldn't get the job done.

But the match was less about Zayn and more about Strowman.

Strowman once again proved why he deserves the WWE Universe's attention. He's improving with each match he works, and he's growing much more confident in the ring as time goes on. He's strong and surprisingly agile for a man his size, but that's not why he's special.

The audience has connected with him, and that's the most important part.

Other big men in the past have struggled to make connections, and it's hurt them in the long run. Ryback was a great example of a big and powerful Superstar who should've been on top but who just couldn't connect. Perhaps he didn't have the "it" factor, or perhaps fans didn't give him a chance.

The same cannot be said of Strowman.

Instead of dismissing the former Wyatt Family member as an undeserving muscleman that shouldn't have a shot, fans have embraced Strowman. 

They have gone along for the ride because Strowman's growth happened organically; he wasn't forced on them at all. Strowman came to the ring, brutalized his opponent and left wanting more. But instead of just punching and kicking his victim, Strowman showed some impressive ring psychology.

Strowman looked as though he understood the game rather than just relying on his size to get him through.

But now that Zayn could possibly be off his radar, Strowman can move on to the next challenge. Fans are likely wondering what sort of challenge could believably await Strowman on his journey in the company.

WWE has options for its newest monster.

Big Cass

Credit: WWE.com

Big Cass is known as a tag team wrestler, but that will change in the future due to his size and charisma.

Like Strowman, Cass is not just a big guy who growls and hits chokeslams every time he's in the ring. Cass works and has much more to offer than just the stereotypical big-man skill set.

Maybe the time is right for Cass to bring those talents to a new feud.

Enzo Amore is out of commission, thanks to Rusev, so the time might be right for Cass to pick a fight with Strowman. The former Wyatt Family member wants the competition, and Cass may take an issue with the way Strowman has steamrolled through the roster thus far.

Ego and swagger would perhaps replace common sense in this rivalry.

Strowman looks unbeatable, but that would likely not stop Cass from taking a shot. He is one of the most popular Superstars on Raw and would get a great response from fans if he stepped up to face Strowman.

But the fun would not stop there.

A match between the two would be more than just a fistfight. Cass would give Strowman all he could handle, and the feud would become one of the hottest in WWE. It would be a great way for each man to show what he can do and to prove the main event is the best place for him.

Strowman would not be in the feud just to show off.

It would be the next chapter for him—another test for him to keep building his reputation in WWE. Strowman would finally have an opponent who could match him move for move and one who could also benefit from this feud.

Rusev

Credit: WWE.com

Strowman, crush.

Rusev is a punishing hulk of a Superstar, but he has never fought anyone like Strowman. For perhaps the first time in his WWE career, Rusev would physically not have an answer for his opponent. The Bulgarian Brute would find himself outmatched, if not outclassed.

But that would bring out the best in him.

This feud would be nothing short of a war. Rusev does not back down and has everything to gain by going at Strowman, who has no fear and loves to decimate anyone who gets in his way. The combination of the two would become the hardest-hitting rivalry in WWE.

It would also become a valuable learning experience for Strowman.

Rusev has been on the main event level and knows what it takes to get there. He understands the pressures of that spot and could be an asset for Strowman in terms of giving advice and helping him along the way.

If this feud happens, one man would need to turn babyface.

As unlikely as it may seem, Strowman could do just that. Fans are connected to him and would love to see him in the role of protagonist. Strowman would be a no-nonsense hero who would fight any bully who comes his way, and that would include Rusev.

But considering that Strowman's heel persona is working, this potential rivalry may have to wait a while. 

The two could, however, have a one-off match at some point, and that would merely set the scene for a possible future feud. Much of what WWE does in those situations is predicated upon how the fans react, so if they love it, then Strowman vs. Rusev could become a reality.

Roman Reigns

Credit: WWE.com

Maybe the best test for Strowman is The Big Dog.

Roman Reigns is the man in WWE. He's in it for the long haul and has committed himself to staying the course and fighting for respect. The company continues to back him despite his negative fan response, and Reigns has developed a loyal following.

The time could be right for Strowman to challenge him.

Strowman is the perfect opponent because he is such a dominant heel. The crowd may be connected to him, but they will boo him in the right situations. If he heeled out in a major way on Reigns, then each man's role would be defined from the start.

Reigns is a top hero in WWE, and Strowman would be a suitable villain.

Reigns would have no issue facing Strowman, as the former Shield strongman never backs down from a fight. Despite any criticism leveled at him, the truth is that Reigns always brings great intensity and heart to every match he works.

The same would be true if he faced Strowman.

However, if there is any negative aspect to this feud, it's that Strowman would likely lose in the end. WWE has not come this far with Reigns to see him go down now, and losing to a newer and less experienced talent would perhaps slow Reigns down more than expected.

But maybe the loss would be worth it for Strowman, who could still come out of the feud looking good. He would also have invaluable experience from working a main event Superstar. Strowman would catapult to the top of WWE, thanks to facing Reigns, and the two men would have a good run.

WWE needs great antagonists if its protagonists are to succeed. Strowman would be the best heel to put in Reigns' path, and one could strengthen the other. It may be the best fit of any feud that WWE could choose.

The Undertaker

Credit: WWE.com

From the moment Strowman burst upon the scene in WWE, fans have whispered The Deadman's name.

The Undertaker is the pinnacle of talent in the company. To face him is to become a made man, and one doesn't have to beat him to gain that distinction. Taker picks and chooses who he wants to face, and if Strowman got the nod, then things would immediately change for him.

Facing Undertaker would fast-track Strowman to main event stardom. 

The organic growth that fans have witnessed with Strowman would be gone, as he would bypass several feuds in favor of a top spot. While that may be a cause for concern, Strowman does appear to have his head in the game, so perhaps he's ready to move up.

Maybe The Phenom would decide that for himself.

Taker has to be comfortable with Strowman and be willing to move forward. If Strowman is indeed ready, Undertaker will know. WWE could have more than just its next WrestleMania main event at hand; it may have its newest megastar in the making.

If the match happens at WrestleMania, there's always the possibility it could be Taker's last. The clock is ticking for The Deadman, and he will walk away from the ring at some point. Perhaps Strowman is not the right talent to face Taker on the last night. 

But that would be up to WWE and The Undertaker. 

If Strowman continues to build momentum and perform, then he could be the ideal opponent for Undertaker. Despite what happens, it's clear that Strowman has tremendous upside and a dominant future ahead.

Tom Clark can regularly be seen on Bleacher Report. His podcast, Tom Clark's Main Event, is available on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Android, Windows Phone and online here