Samoa Joe vs. Braun Strowman: Who Is WWE Raw's Scariest Monster Right Now?

The WWE Raw jungle is home to two fearsome animals in Samoa Joe and Braun Strowman.

Joe is a menacing terror with a penchant for choking out anyone in his path. Strowman is a massive human being with otherworldly strength whom we have seen abuse many a WWE talent.

Which of these behemoths of the red brand, though, is the most terrifying monster?

Roman Reigns may answer Strowman as he's been the victim of the big man's assaults, including being smashed into the side of an ambulance. Joe may get Brock Lesnar's vote. The Destroyer has risen to the top of Raw in recent weeks by way of leaving Lesnar reeling.

A look at each man's resume of ruin, their aura and how WWE has presented them recently reveals whether Joe or Strowman occupies the top spot on the food chain.

The Case for Joe

It doesn't take much to incite The Destroyer's rage.

Sami Zayn discovered that in February when he found himself face down and unconscious on the entrance ramp courtesy of Joe. He had simply fired back at Joe's comment about not being like Zayn and fell into blackness as his punishment.

That image of Joe snaked around his victim, his arms around their neck has been a common one of late.

WWE has made painted the Coquina Clutch as a most dangerous move. It has taken down the likes of Seth Rollins, Zayn, Finn Balor and even the mighty Lesnar.

Much of Joe's other offense is overwhelming as well. He smashes foes with rapid-fire right hands and nasty slams. He issues it all with a pissed-off expression and an unsettling glare.

And while Strowman walked away from Lesnar during their confrontation, Joe brawled with him and floored with a cheap-shot kick one week and brought him to his knees with a chokehold the next.

Miami Herald columnist Scott Fishman was among those impressed by the visual of Joe taking down The Beast Incarnate:

Joe's destruction is fresh in fans' minds. His list of victims is impressive.

Where Strowman roars, Joe displays a quiet rage. Joe lays out exactly how he will devour you, calmly and callously. 

The Destroyer telling Paul Heyman something terrible was about to happen to him before leaving him motionless on the mat was a haunting moment:

Strowman is an animal who acts on instincts. There is something scarier about a predator like Joe, who is more purposeful and deliberate and a sadist with a clear-cut plan.

The Case for Strowman

Don't let Strowman's time away dull the memories of his wrath.

Before going down with an elbow injury, The Monster Among Men tore through the Raw roster in savage fashion. He beat up wrestlers backstage, tipped over an ambulance with Reigns inside and pushed a dumpster that contained Kalisto off the entrance ramp.

Upon his return, he reminded everyone of his raw power and heartless ways when he hurled Reigns into the side of an ambulance. Kyle Fowle of the A.V. Club wrote of the scene: "It's yet another moment of Braun Strowman, backed by a hot crowd, looking like a million bucks."

As strong as Joe is, he can't match strength with Strowman. Few human beings can.

Strowman has the edge in look and size, too. At 6'8", 385 pounds, he is six inches taller and over 100 pounds heavier than Joe. Joe looks like a mobster's muscle; Strowman has more in common with a grizzly bear.

And while Joe's in-ring arsenal overwhelms foes, Strowman's offense simply wrecks them.

The Monster Among Men flings rivals around the ring like he's trying to throw them through a wall. He charges like a rhino and flattens his opposition. He smashes their chests with such force you have to wonder how they're not completely breathless afterward.

Plus, Strowman is the man-beast who wielded an oversized, hand-carved hammer in a WrestleMania workout in the depths of the forest.

Verdict

Joe has a slight edge when it comes to recent wins and losses. 

His record in his last 10 bouts sits at 6-4. Strowman has gone 5-3-2 in that span, per CageMatch.net. Numbers are a bit misleading in this case, though.

Credit: WWE.com

Distractions led to a number of those victories for The Samoan Submission Machine, including his latest against Reigns. 

Rollins defeated Joe at Payback, and it's hard to envision a scenario where Rollins would beat Strowman short of downing with a tranquilizer dart first. The New Face of Destruction, meanwhile, has lost mostly in fluky fashion and defeated Big Show, Mark Henry, Reigns and, in February, four jobbers at once.

Thanks to Strowman recovering from surgery, Joe has more momentum right now.

He's thriving as the monster clawing at Lesnar and the Universal Championship. He's imposing and intimidating, but simply can't "out-scary" Strowman.

The Monster Among Men's look, build and general aura is more monstrous. 

He has a better collection of destructive images to display. When Joe starts flipping over ambulances, the debate will shift. For now, Strowman holds tight to the top monster spot on Raw, even as Joe is closing the gap.