Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman battled at WWE's Extreme Rules PPV in a Swamp Fight. It was the second cinematic match for Wyatt this year, and the reception to these matches has been mixed, at best.
The first cinematic match was the Firefly Fun House Match with John Cena that told an amazing story, but left many fans feeling a little let down due to the lack of actual fighting. The Swamp Fight had a little more action to it, but it still wasn't enough for some fans, as many still felt the actual fighting between the two men was negligible.
However, it wasn't all bad, and just like the Firefly Fun House Match, it prioritized telling its story above featuring the actual brawling between Wyatt and Strowman. The problem in this case is that the story in the Strowman match was a little confusing. The story of the Cena match involved deconstructing his Superman persona before Wyatt finally snuffed him out. What Wyatt and WWE wanted fans to take out of the Strowman match was a little more cerebral.
It all started with Wyatt in his rocking chair, waiting for Strowman arrive at the swamp to fight with his former master. Things immediately got confusing because all the lights went out, and when they came back on, Wyatt was gone. This immediately gave the match a supernatural feel, which is only to be expected with Bray Wyatt involved -- however, it was a little confusing how Wyatt was able to control the headlights on Strowman's own vehicle.
After Wyatt disappeared, Strowman looked at the sign that read: "Abandon all hope ye who enter here," and that pretty much told his story in the match. He escaped the swamp -- and the control of Wyatt-- before, and he knows if he lets it take him again, he has abandoned all hope. He responds by smashing Wyatt's rocker against the sign. It was Strowman's way of saying he was not giving up hope and letting Wyatt gain control over him ever again.
However, Strowman started having visions, possibly of his past, as he saw the pigs, the rabbits, and the vultures. Things went a little off the rails at that point, as mysterious hooded thugs (presumably more followers of Wyatt) suddenly jumped Braun. The appearance of these extra thugs was redeemed when Wyatt showed up in the Firefly Fun House with pompoms and cheered for Strowman to win. It was ludicrous, but also the best part of those Fun House segments.
However, the battle for Strowman's soul struck hard and heavy when the masked Braun Strowman showed up with a shovel, standing over the real Braun. He removed the mask and it was evil Braun, who then brought the shovel down onto the head of the WWE Universal Champion. Strowman woke up in Wyatt's shack, chained up, and Wyatt made his entrance with his original music and lantern.
Strowman said he hated Wyatt for everything he ever made him do and will send Wyatt back to hell. Wyatt replied that Strowman can't hurt him because he's already dead. He then reminded Strowman that the people love him now, but when his "15 minutes is up," the fans will turn on him. He said the two of them could rule the world if they worked together: "You are a weapon, and I am the hand that wields it." That is when possibly the best part of the cinematic Swamp Fight took place. What appeared to be Sister Abigail showed up with a snake and the serpent that bit into Strowman.
Strowman came to, back outside again, and was once again attacked by random Wyatt thugs. This time Strowman showed his violent nature, and how evil he could be, when he kicked one man into the fire and laughed maniacally as the guy ran off, blazing in flames. This was when Sister Abigail came back, taking the form of Alexa Bliss. She told him to come home and said he always wanted to be with her. This was a callback to their Mixed Match Challenge Days and Strowman's close relationship with Bliss. This spot worked so well within the context of the story to get across the temptations that Braun was facing.
That led to the final fight, where Bray Wyatt came out of the fog of the swamp to push leeches into Strowman's eyes. Wyatt and Strowman then battled in the swamp and when they came out, the fight was intercut with images of the children laughing followed by single frame flashes that revealed Braun Strowman in his mask, getting clearer each time Wyatt hit him. With ever strike that Wyatt was able to land, Braun came closer to changing back into his former self.
However, Strowman suddenly kicked Bray into the swamp and said "it's over," making it appear he'd won the fight. The music stopped and the WWE copyright sign came on to signify the end of the pay-per-view. But it was just a false ending to swerve the audience, as Wyatt erupted out of the swamp and pulled Strowman back in with him using the Mandible Claw.
Finally, Strowman was pulled under completely and never returned. The water began to boil red, and eventually, The Fiend came out. The PPV ended with Strowman saying, in a demonic voice, "let me in." The PPV ended with a question — does Bray Wyatt control the Monster Among Men once again? We may have to wait for SummerSlam to get a definitive answer to that question.