Braun Strowman's Best Booking Options to Maintain Top Heel Heat on WWE Raw

Back and better than ever, Braun Strowman must remain a top priority on WWE Raw in order to maintain the momentum he had prior to his brief absence from programming, especially now he has rekindled his rivalry with Roman Reigns heading into Great Balls of Fire 2017.

Strowman has spent the better part of this year in a program with Reigns, thankfully looking dominant throughout. In fact, this feud has allowed him to cement his spot on the roster as Raw's most destructive heel next to universal champion Brock Lesnar.

The peak of his push came at April's Payback pay-per-view, where he defeated Reigns in clean fashion in the main event. From there, it looked like the two were destined to do battle at Extreme Rules in an Ambulance match.

Unfortunately, Strowman's elbow injury delayed that idea, causing Reigns to take part in a Fatal 5-Way match at the event instead. According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Wrestling Inc), original plans called for Strowman to fight Lesnar for the Universal Championship at Great Balls of Fire.

Although Samoa Joe is now set to face Lesnar for the belt on July 9, fans should still expect to see Strowman vs. Lesnar come to fruition in the near future. That is a marquee match worthy of taking place on as grand a stage as SummerSlam.

Credit: WWE.com

This all dependent on what happens at the pending pay-per-view, both with Reigns and Strowman as well as with Lesnar and Joe. Since March, it has been believed Reigns would be built to take the title from Lesnar at WrestleMania 34, but Dave Meltzer recently noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that may no longer be the case (h/t Wrestling Inc).

If WWE does pull the trigger on Lesnar vs. Reigns ahead of 'Mania, there is no word on where that would leave Strowman. A feud with Joe would be possible, but that would require turning one of them face, which shouldn't happen anytime soon.

Additionally, that would mean Strowman loses his upcoming Ambulance matchup with Reigns at Great Balls of Fire, vanquishing any heel heat he has generated. WWE must do everything possible to ensure Strowman remains an attraction, something the flagship show is desperately lacking.

One night removed from WrestleMania 33, Strowman confronted Lesnar on Raw, planting the seeds for a future bout between the two. Aside from Lesnar vs. Joe, it is one match fans have looked forward to for months because of how Strowman could prove to be Lesnar's biggest equal to date.

Granted, WWE could do the anticipated match after Reigns gets his shot at The Beast Incarnate at SummerSlam, but by then, Strowman may have already been beaten by Reigns and therefore wouldn't be considered as much of a threat to Lesnar.

It is imperative Strowman not only looks strong in his outing against Reigns at Great Balls of Fire but also emerges victorious. While that would mark Reigns' third straight loss on pay-per-view, he would be protected in defeat considering there are no pinfalls or submissions.

Reigns has already gone on the record in demanding a Universal Championship match at SummerSlam, but a victory over The Big Dog would put Strowman ahead of him in line for a shot at the strap. It would also put a definitive end to his ruthless rivalry with Reigns and only add to Strowman's climbing credibility.

In attacking Reigns on Raw in recent weeks, The Monster Among Men has come across like a star, and that will be necessary for his eventual war with Lesnar. Similar to Samoa Joe, if Strowman takes the fight to the universal champion and refuses to back down, fans will view him as being on the same level as the Beast.

Going forward, WWE should follow the formula they have so far with Strowman in keeping him undefeated and having him manhandle top-tier talent. Even a loss to Lesnar wouldn't hurt him as long as he isn't squashed the same way John Cena, Randy Orton and Dean Ambrose have been in the past.

Strowman has been a cornerstone of Raw since July's brand extension, and with the right booking, he should continue to be a fixture toward the top of the card in the coming months.

Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, is an Endicott College alumnus and aspiring journalist. Visit his website, Next Era Wrestling, and "like" his official Facebook page to continue the conversation on all things wrestling.