Braun Strowman's WWE return: 5 storylines, including a Roman Reigns alliance
Braun Strowman has not stepped inside a WWE ring since April 4, 2025, when he lost to Jacob Fatu in a Last Man Standing Match for the No. 1 contender spot for the WWE United States Championship on SmackDown.
His full-time performer's contract with WWE expired in July, according to www.sportskeeda.com. The 43-year-old's status with the company remains unclear, and any return has not been confirmed.
Fans on social media have drawn parallels between the current Bloodline situation and Strowman's past. The attacks by 946 — Royce Keys, Bronco Nima, Lucien Price, and Jaida Parker — have reminded viewers of the rivalry Strowman once shared with Roman Reigns.
That history has fueled speculation about how "The Monster Among Men" would fit into today's WWE landscape if he were to come back. The source lays out five potential storylines for his return, though none of them are confirmed plans.
Each scenario hinges on whether Strowman signs a new deal after his contract expired in July.
ALLIANCE WITH ROMAN REIGNS
The source suggests Roman Reigns needs someone who can go toe-to-toe with 946's heavy hitters — and Strowman fits that description better than anyone else on the roster. The scenario laid out is a simple one: 946 surrounds Reigns at Money in the Bank, and then Strowman's music hits for a return the fans would jump behind immediately.
That moment is hypothetical, not confirmed, but the logic behind it is clear. A returning Strowman would give WWE a credible equalizer against 946's powerhouses.
The history between the two men makes the partnership more complicated than a simple team-up. Strowman's former rivalry with "The OTC" means Reigns' request for help would require swallowing pride. The Monster Among Men could accept — he respects Reigns — but he would still show that no one is above him.
What WWE would get is a temporary yet uneasy partnership, the kind that carries built-in tension for whenever the alliance runs its course.
TRICK WILLIAMS' MOUNTAIN
Trick Williams is a brash talker with the confidence to back it up. But with Braun Strowman across the ring, he might now have to prove his words carry weight.
The dynamic would flip the usual formula. Instead of Williams talking his way through another opponent, he would face a man who does not need to say much at all. Strowman's presence alone changes the math, and Williams would have to find another way to climb that mountain.
The source suggests Williams could eventually win by outlasting his rival. Rather than a flurry of punches exchanged, fans would be treated to an in-depth battle of wits during which the young upstart learns how to beat a giant. That outcome is speculative, not confirmed, but it paints a clear picture of what the feud could look like.
Williams would get a win he could hang his hat on, and Strowman would have an authentic rivalry, similar to the case of Baron Corbin. The veteran gets a fresh opponent who can talk, and the rising star gets the kind of scalp that legitimizes a push.
The question is whether Williams can back up the noise when the silence before a match is filled by Strowman's footsteps.
SMACKDOWN'S OWN MONSTER
The source argues that with RAW already brimming with giants, it makes more sense to send Strowman to Fridays. SmackDown has lacked a figure of his scale, and his arrival would give the blue brand its own monster presence.
Strowman would provide the kind of frightening force that only surfaces once every few months. That rarity is part of what made his original run work—when he showed up, it mattered, and the roster had to adjust accordingly.
The source also mentions potential feuds with Gun..., though the specific details are cut off in the original article. As such, that storyline is not fully confirmed, and only the beginning of the name is given. Whatever the intended matchup, the implication is clear: SmackDown would have a top-tier giant to anchor fresh rivalries.
That would give SmackDown its own monster figure, separate from the crowded RAW landscape. For a brand looking to carve out its own identity, Strowman's presence would be a significant statement.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
No concrete next date is on the table. The source does not specify an event for Strowman's return, and his contract expired in July—any comeback would hinge on a new deal first.
That makes the entire picture speculative. The five storylines outlined are possibilities, not plans, and none have been confirmed by the company. Fans are left to watch for any official WWE announcement regarding Strowman's status.
Until that happens, the Monster Among Men remains a free agent. The groundwork for a return is laid across the current landscape, but whether WWE picks it up is a question only the company can answer.
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