Update on Braun Strowman; News on Lars Sullivan & Survivor Series

On the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, I heard Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez wondering about whether Sasha Banks and Bayley’s inclusion at Survivor Series was a last minute decision or something planned in advance. As per a WWE source, it was not a “last minute decision” and something creative had indeed planned in advance.

Over on Wrestling Observer Live, host Bryan Alvarez discussed the Lars Sullivan vignette, suggesting that it was supposed to air at the TLC PPV but that Vince McMahon heard it on Sunday and wanted it to air ahead of time at Survivor Series instead. While I can’t comment on whether the original plan was to air it at TLC, I can say that this was not a decision that Vince made shortly before Survivor Series as the vignette was inserted into the first draft of the production sheet well before Sunday. The only thing that WWE changed was the spot where it aired. A lot of people have asked me what brand Sullivan will be added to and unfortunately, I don’t have any information on that but I am hoping it’s Smackdown.

In an update on Braun Strowman’s injury situation, WWE sources indicate that he is actually dealing with a “minor elbow situation” but that his elbow of course isn’t truly shattered. They expect him out of action for 2-4 weeks but certainly with TLC just a month away, his status for the PPV can’t be taken for granted. Strowman is fully expected to be fine for Royal Rumble, where he is supposed to be wrestling Brock Lesnar for the Universal title.