Source: Wrestling Observer

According to Wrestling Observer Live, Braun Strowman’s absence from the most recent edition of WWE RAW was done by design. Dave Meltzer explained that it’s WWE’s current goal to minimize the physical interactions between Brock Lesnar and him [Braun Strowman] ahead of their Universal Championship Match at No Mercy.

Meltzer’s claim that the physicality is being saved until the pay-per-view appears to be true so far. This is a familiar booking tactic for Lesnar as WWE continues to work around his limited schedule.

Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar furthered the feud this past Monday night even though there was no Braun in sight. They borrowed the phrase “monster handled” from Corey Graves to describe the punishment Brock has endured so far.

Heyman also added that while he doesn’t believe in monsters, he does believe that Braun Strowman is one.

No fighting between the two will happen on next week’s RAW because only Braun Strowman is advertised for that show.

Brock Lesnar will defend his Universal Championship Match against Braun Strowman at the RAW-exclusive No Mercy event on September 24th in Los Angeles, California.