Roman Reigns vs. Undertaker: Pros and Cons of Adding Braun Strowman to Match

As Roman Reigns and Undertaker prepare to collide at WWE WrestleMania 33, Braun Strowman is the sneering predator lurking near them, anxious to join the battle. 

Should WWE choose to transform The Big Dog vs. The Deadman into a Triple Threat match, its impact would be felt in a variety of places—Strowman's role at WrestleMania, the feud's dynamic and the quality of the bout. The Monster Among Men would clog the Reigns-Undertaker tale but also help prop up an aging star once the bell rings. 

For now, Reigns and Undertaker are alone on their battlefield. WWE made their WrestleMania bout official on Monday, announcing the contest on WWE.com. 

There's reason to believe, though, that Strowman may force his way into that showdown.

On Monday's Raw, the big man attacked Reigns after his match with Jinder Mahal. Strowman plowed over The Big Dog to continue a rivalry that began at the Royal Rumble.

Following that assault, WWE announced on Twitter that Reigns and Strowman will square off on Raw next week.

Strowman's issues with Reigns continue. Combine that with the fact that The Monster Among Men has no clear WrestleMania plans and he shared a tense staredown with Undertaker weeks ago, and it looks as if WWE could welcome Strowman to Reigns vs. The Phenom.

That option would showcase a man not guaranteed a big-time match.

Pro: Makes Use of Hot Superstar

Since last July's brand split, Strowman has been an enthralling wrecking ball. As a chest-stomping, overwhelming force of nature, he has been one of the best things on the Raw brand each week. He has looked like a main event star in the making.

It's surprising then to think the bruiser may not have a premier match on WWE's biggest show.

A Triple Threat match against Undertaker and Reigns would be the highlight of his career to date. He would have the chance to mix it up with a former world champ in Reigns and a future Hall of Famer in Undertaker.

The only other probable option for him come April 2 would be to enter the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. That's a disappointing consolation prize. The annual Battle Royal has been the place WWE throws its midcarders who don't have anything better to do. 

Con: Crowded Stage

Reigns and Undertaker is a simple story of a young, cocky lion looking to unseat the alpha male. Strowman's addition complicates that. 

It's not impossible to weave in the big man and have a multilayered narrative, but it would be more difficult than sticking with the two-wrestler approach. WWE would have to juggle more elements, increasing the chances for a clunky story.

A similar issue awaits the wrestlers in the ring.

Triple Threat matches are hard to work. There is more to juggle. The ring becomes more crowded and chaotic. 

Plus, WrestleMania is already featuring a number of multi-wrestler bouts as the entire SmackDown women's division is challenging Alexa Bliss for the women's title and Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson will defend against two teams at once.

Pro: An Easier Bout for Undertaker

Undertaker is nearly 52 years old. His list of surgeries is longer than some wrestlers' resumes. He's no workhorse anymore.

Last year's WrestleMania match against Shane McMahon was a reminder of how much The Deadman is dependent on others to deliver a good match at this point.

Credit: WWE.com

Should he face both Strowman and Reigns, those two young bulls could do a lot of the heavy lifting. Undertaker could get away with less physicality, adding big moments when needed while letting Strowman and Reigns pound the hell out of each other.

In that way, the match will be better, even if it would mean Undertaker would have to take more of a supporting role.

Con: Weakens the Win

Whoever emerges from the three-man fray will not gain the kind of momentum they would in a solo match.

Defeating Undertaker at WrestleMania would be a career-changer for either Strowman or Reigns. But if The Big Dog did so in a bout that also involves Strowman, or vice versa, it wouldn't have the same impact. It will feel more like survival than one man conquering another.

If WWE is going to pull the trigger on Reigns knocking off The Deadman, it's better off doing so without Strowman.

The lasting image of Reigns celebrating over a fallen Undertaker will be more powerful that way. To create it in a Triple Threat match will feel like a warm-up for something bigger. 

As for Strowman, a win in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal will be better for him momentum-wise than falling to Undertaker and Reigns. 

Had WWE planned differently and had something appealing lined up for Strowman, there wouldn't even be a need to consider making him a part of a Triple Threat match. That's not how things panned out, though.

As tempting as it may be to toss Strowman into the mix with Reigns and The Phenom, WWE would be smarter to let him devour a swarm of midcarders this year.