WWE Rumors: Braun Strowman Removed from Brock Lesnar Match by Vince McMahon

WWE Chairman Vince McMahon reportedly made the call to remove Braun Strowman from the Universal Championship match against Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble.

According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Raj Giri of WrestlingInc.com), McMahon has been planning to replace Strowman in the match "for awhile."

On Monday's episode of Raw, McMahon fined Strowman $100,000 and took away his title match after he destroyed his limo while attempting to get his hands on Corbin.

Finn Balor won a Fatal 4-Way match later in the night to secure a match against Lesnar at the Rumble.

Meltzer reported that while Strowman vs. Lesnar at the Rumble was the original plan, McMahon saw that Strowman was "cooling off" after his loss to Lesnar at Crown Jewel and wanted to go with a different match rather than booking a "bad finish" between Strowman and Lesnar at the Royal Rumble.

Strowman has also missed time over the past two months with an elbow injury, and his only match since Nov. 19 came against Corbin at TLC in December.

The Monster Among Men's arm was in a sling for that match, though, and all he did was pin Corbin after other Superstars attacked him.

It isn't know if Strowman has been cleared for in-ring competition, but an angle was run Monday that saw him flip over a limo.

If Strowman is cleared, then it stands to reason he could be part of the 30-man Royal Rumble match.

Strowman would be among the top choices to win the match, and it may be a better way to utilize him than having him lose to Lesnar again.

Lesnar against Balor is a dream match that fans have clamored for in recent years, and by calling an audible with regard to Strowman, the WWE Universe will finally have a chance to witness it.

Strowman won't leave the Rumble with the universal title in his possession; however, there is nothing to suggest that he won't be a huge factor on Raw heading toward WrestleMania.

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