When Seth Rollins turned on Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose back in June there were many doubts and questions. Was it too early to disband the group? Was Seth Rollins the right member to turn heel? What will become of the three wrestlers formerly known as the Shield? This writer believes that all three wrestlers have the ability and the opportunity to usher in a new era for WWE. An era that is less about kid friendly catchphrases and more about exciting in ring action. I would genuinely have no problem with these three wrestlers becoming the top tier of WWE as the likes of John Cena and Randy Orton hurtle towards retirement. As of right now it looks like Roman Reigns will be the first to get his hands on the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Since his stellar showing in the Royal Rumble the fans have been firmly behind him and his victory over Randy Orton at Summerslam seems to indicate further what WWE have in store. With Brock Lesnar as champ, what better way to build a new star than have Roman Reigns conquer The Beast at next year's Wrestlemania? Meanwhile Seth Rollins having possession of the Money In The Bank contract guarantees him at the very least a championship match in the next year.
But what of Dean Ambrose? I'd argue that while his rise to prominence hasn't been the most straight forward that in the long run he may have the most fruitful career of all three Shield alumni. My first introduction to Dean Ambrose came from a disagreement with Mick Foley. Before the Shield debuted back in 2012, Ambrose was pencilled in for a feud with the Hardcore Legend which was shelved when Ambrose allegedly brought Mick's family into the proceedings. While this delayed Ambrose's debut, it also surely must have created a small amount of animosity for the young wrestler from Foley fans.
Upon the debut of the Shield, all three had spectacular six man matches with the likes Ryback and Team Hell No and it wasn't long until Ambrose pinned Kofi Kingston to win the US Championship. However the title reign while long was quiet and uneventful- certainly not two words one uses for Ambrose these days. When the Shield split, I was somewhat worried about Ambrose. With Reigns flying high and Rollins holding Money in the Bank would Ambrose become the next D'Lo Brown, Ted DiBiase Jr or David Otunga?
What I discounted was how talented Ambrose really is. Out of the former Shield members, Ambrose has reinvented himself the furthest. Somewhat ironically given his initial confrontation with Foley early in his career, Dean's character and wrestling style harks back to early Cactus Jack. He's mentally unhinged and has no regards for his own safety. In the PG, non ECW world that is modern day wrestling, that's pretty unique. His matches aren't gorefests, they are just wild and out of control. His lumberjack match with Rollins at Summerslam stole the show and it was down to the hard work both men put in.
This next point may sound odd and is merely cosmetic but the ring attire of a wrestler is so important. While Roman Reigns is pretty much stuck in his Shield attire, Rollins appears to have raided Batman's wardrobe. Ambrose however appears to wrestle in his street clothes. It adds to his character. You don't imagine him working out in the gym or warming up. He literally comes off the street and fights. Out of all the Shield members, his gimmick is the furthest removed from what it once was.
Then there's that connection with the fans. It's very rare and only comes once in a while. Mick Foley had it. CM Punk had it. More recently Daniel Bryan had it. It's almost more satisfying than being anointed the future by Vince and company. Roman Reigns might have the office behind him but Ambrose has really clicked with the live audience on his own. The fact that #lumberjackmatch was the number one worldwide trend on Twitter during his Summerslam match shows the power that the fans have when they get behind someone. It might take a while but just like Foley and Bryan before him, WWE will have to react if the grassroots support for Ambrose grows at the rate it is currently.
On this week's Raw, Rollins curbstomped Ambrose on to the 'injured' list while he takes time out to shoot a WWE Studios movie. The timing is disappointing for me as a fan but it's a great sign that WWE have big plans for the Lunatic Fringe. Time will tell when he comes back and when he does one can only think that with the WWE Universe behind him that his first WWE Championship reign is coming in only a matter of time.
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