Braun Strowman Makes Bold Claims of Redefining the ‘Big Man’ Reputation in WWE During His Heyday

What made Strowman stand out wasn’t just his power, but his agility. Moves like the ‘Tyrannosaurus Dropkick,’ as coined by Corey Graves , showcased a level of athleticism rarely seen in super-heavyweights. 

That combination of speed and strength led Strowman to believe he redefined what it meant to be a big man in professional wrestling. Speaking on TMZ’s Inside The Ring podcast, the real-life Adam Scherr reflected on his impact on the business.

I always joke around if WWE would have ever just let me be me, I would’ve ruled the world. I didn’t have the pencil. So, I did my best I could with what they gave me every week. I like to think I changed what it meant to be a big man in the wrestling business.

Braun Strowman via TMZ’s Inside The Ring podcast

Outside of wrestling, Strowman is now venturing into new territory. He is set to debut his food show titled ‘Everything on the Menu’ on October 24th on the USA Network, a project he said gives him another chance to challenge stereotypes.

And now here I am with another opportunity in life to go out here and prove naysayers wrong and break these stereotypes that follow around big people like me.

Braun Strowman via TMZ’s Inside The Ring podcast

As for his in-ring career, Strowman revealed earlier this year that WWE chose not to renew his contract in May, officially making him a free agent by the end of July. According to reports from Dave Meltzer, his release stemmed from a mix of injury issues and a high salary. 

As of September 2025, the former Universal Champion considers himself semi-retired from wrestling. But, as always, far from finished when it comes to defying expectations.

Braun Strowman credits Stone Cold Steve Austin for helping him overcome his neck injury

It is safe to say that neck injuries and Stone Cold Steve Austin are best friends. And if there’s anyone who knows how to deal with it, it is the ‘Texas Rattlesnake.’ The WWE Hall of Famer suffered one himself at SummerSlam 1997 after a botched piledriver from Owen Hart, which severely bruised his spinal column. 

The injury drastically shortened Austin’s in-ring career, eventually leading to his early retirement in 2003. So when Braun Strowman faced a similar setback, Austin was the perfect person to turn to for guidance. Although he’s no longer part of WWE, Strowman remains one of the most recognizable figures in professional wrestling. 

Now semi-retired, he’s shifted his focus toward Hollywood, but fans still hope to see ‘The Monster Among Men’ step back into the ring one more time. Throughout his WWE run, Strowman battled through several injuries, often performing despite the pain. One of his scariest moments came in May 2023 during a tag team match with Otis on Monday Night Raw. 

Reflecting on that incident in the same interview with TMZ, Strowman revealed that he suffered a severe neck injury that left him briefly paralyzed. He admitted feeling anxious about surgery, but a reassuring conversation with Steve Austin helped calm his fears.

So, in 2023, I had that really bad neck injury in the ring where I pinched my spine, and both my arms went limp. They were paralyzed for about three seconds during the match. If you watch that match with Otis, you can see it happen. I go to take off, I’m really wobbling, but I get through the rest of the match.

Braun Strowman via TMZ’s Inside The Ring podcast

Strowman vividly described the aftermath, saying it felt like boiling water was being poured down his arms during and after the match. His fingers went numb, and the pain kept returning every half hour for several days. Fearing for his career and even his daily life, he turned to Austin for advice.

Thankfully, I’m really close with Stone Cold Steve Austin. This injury was very similar to the one that ended his career, so I called Steve and talked to him a lot. He gave me a lot of reassurance and eased my mind about having the surgery. He’s had great success afterward, no issues and stuff like that.

Braun Strowman via TMZ’s Inside The Ring podcast

Strowman also praised WWE for its support during his recovery. The company arranged for him to undergo treatment at Andrews Medical, where doctors inserted a metal plate and four screws into his neck. He spent nearly a year recovering from the surgery and credited the organization for giving him the time and care needed to heal properly.