Being pushed by the WWE can feel like wonderful news in the beginning, but then you have to deal with backstage jealousy and animosity! This is what happened to Braun Strowman when he received his initial push in the company. Here is the story!
Feeling the Sting of Jealousy
Those who receive an instant push in the WWE, without proving themselves within the company first, are often subject to jealousy and animosity in the locker room. This was certainly the case for Braun Strowman, who received a major push because of his sheer size.
During an interview with Pro Wrestling Illustrated, Strowman admitted he did experience some problems backstage during his initial push:
“Yeah, there was a little bit of animosity, I could tell. But, you know, this is a great place. It’s a great company to work for. And I won everyone over because of how hard I worked, putting my body on the line and doing everything I can to get better—listening, watching other matches, watching the whole entire show.”
Proving His Worth
There is no doubt that Strowman had to fight an uphill battle, even though he did look the part. He did not only have to convince WWE management he was the right man for the job, but also the WWE Universe, who did not take to him immediately.
Strowman is not the biggest talker, but he managed to convince every one of his worth by his sheer strength and his agility. The true turning point came when he did an amazing feat of strength during a segment in 2017, where he flipped an ambulance on its side! After this segment, Strowman was seen as a competitor to be feared by his opponents.
Other WWE Superstars Who Felt Animosity Backstage
There are many other wrestlers who had to deal with animosity backstage; this includes everyone’s favorite Intercontinental Champion The Miz!
The Miz admitted he had a horrible time during his first few months in the WWE and even hinted at being bullied by the likes of JBL. He also had some problems with Chris Benoit, who threw him out of the locker room after he accidentally dropped some crumbs in his bag.
Another wrestler who had to deal with backstage heat was Roman Reigns. However, his backstage problems only came after he was suspended for a wellness policy violation. He was then forced to issue a public apology to the entire locker room.
Former WWE wrestler Ryback also became a victim of the famous backstage heat, albeit not entirely undeserved. Current WWE wrestlers stated that Ryback displayed “atrocious” behavior towards his peers, giving him some genuine backstage heat!
Conclusion
It seems like backstage heat is almost a part of the job. Still, it is clear that most of the backstage heat in the WWE often comes for a reason. Strowman, the Miz, and Roman Reigns, proved that hard work and dedication does earn you locker room respect