Black Stone Cherry: Sheffield Motorpoint Arena, 27/10/14

It wasn't long ago that Gene Simmons from Kiss proclaimed that rock was dead. It was a pretty controversial statement. What's always interested me about rock is the idea that it's finite. Rock stars are always constantly talking about how rock 'n' roll will never die. You don't hear Katy Perry proclaiming that pop will live forever or Eminem tell the world that rap will never die. No it's always rock. The idea that the rock legends of the 70s and 80s would burn out in a blaze of glory simply didn't come to fruition. Instead they went on reunion tours and charged us extortionate amount to hear the hits (although that's another post for another time). If rock truly is dead then it's because those legendary rock stars never stepped aside... and the rock bands of today don't have the balls to break the glass ceiling.

But rock isn't dead. No way my friends. I have one clear cut example.

I'm sure many readers of this blog know my thoughts on Black Stone Cherry. They are simply put my favourite band to come along for years. I first saw them support Def Leppard and Whitesnake at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle. Even a short 20 minute set let me know that these guys were the real deal. Now 6 years later, Kentucky's finest have gone from opening arena gigs to headlining them and boy are they ready!

 This was my 5th time seeing the band. It was also my fiancé Kayleigh's first time at a Black Stone Cherry show. We'd driven two hours from Durham to Sheffield especially for the gig and the excitement at our hotel was palpable. Pretty much everyone was there to see Black Stone Cherry. It made for a great atmosphere.

Canadian rockers 'Theory of A Deadman' opened proceedings to a pretty respectable crowd but at least from where I was sitting we were all waiting for the main event. Insane Aussies 'Airbourne' were up next; a band I've seen at many a festival or support slot. As predicted they were fantastic. Given a couple more album cycles they could surely do an arena tour of their own. Kayl summed it up best by telling me later that Airbourne were so loud she could 'hear them in her lungs'. On any other night I could quite happily have gone home then.

I've been to a lot of gigs. One of my favourite moments at any show would be the start of a Metallica gig. As 'Ecstasy of Gold' builds to its climax I get goosebumps. It's a moment any rock fan should experience. But even that is merely the music played before Metallica hit the stage. This was the 5th time I've seen Black Stone Cherry but as I sat in the Motorpoint Arena and the band started playing 'Rain Wizard' I got goosebumps all over. I knew this crowd were ready to rock and that this band wouldn't disappoint. As Chris Robertson screamed "Here comes the rain!" an entire arena screamed back in unison. It will always be a treasured gig memory.

I have to take the time to praise the setlist that the BSC played in Sheffield. As I'd followed news of the rest of the tour across Europe I saw that some of their best cuts were missing. Europe missed out on early hits such as 'Soul Creek' or fan favourite 'Things My Father Said'. By the time the band had hit Glasgow the night before these songs were back in the set. All the hits were represented: 'Blind Man', 'Blame It On The Boom Boom', 'Lonely Train' and of course the amazing 'Me & Mary Jane'. "The only thing," I'd said to Kayl before the gig "that would make their setlist complete would be 'Fiesta Del Fuego'. However I was confident I wouldn't hear it on this night. So the moment the rumbling bass line kicked in I might as well have screamed like a girl.

The new album 'Magic Mountain' was well represented and as always the entire band were on top form. They also seemed genuinely shocked at the reception they were getting. Hearing the fans sing their songs back to them with such force must have been a life changing experience for a band who are cruelly under appreciated in their home land. This UK arena tour should be proof of three things:

1. Black Stone Cherry are one of the greatest (if not the greatest) live bands in the world. 

2. They are more than ready to headline festivals and gigs all over the world including back in the U.S.

3. That Gene Simmons was totally wrong. Rock and roll is very much alive and well. We just need to let the young blood kick down the door!

Surviving your twenties

Lately with so much going on in my life there have been times where I have felt like the walls are closing in. Yes I'm seriously happy with a beautiful fiance, a wedding to plan and a house that we both own. However working up to 39 hours every week, volunteering as a counsellor on one of my two days off and helping look after my grandma (who is currently in care) leaves very little time for me to enjoy the fruits of my wonderful life. Don't get me wrong. I'm certainly not trying to claim that I have it hard; far from it. What my counselling training has taught me however is that experiences like depression, anxiety and panic are all subjective. What can cause one to rock in the fetal position in the corner of the room could happen to another and they'd barely break a sweat. When I feel the pressure and feel like those walls are within touching distance, I simply try to think about other times in my life and how far I've come.

Frankie Boyle of all people said something really profound in his first book 'My Shit Life So Far' and it has stuck with me in the years since I read it. I'm frustrated that I can't find the direct quote but the main crux of it is this. The majority of people seem to have a major breakdown or crisis in their twenties yet no-one really addresses this. Mid-life crisis? Sure that's a thing. However the idea of having a major identity crisis before you hit your 30th birthday may seem asinine to some.

Mine was at the very start of my twenties. One random Saturday afternoon in 2008 I was entirely positive that I was going to die. Perhaps all the pepperoni pizzas and kebab meat and chips (one meal folks) were catching up with me. I wasn't sure. All I knew was that in the middle of a shift at work that I was going to meet Freddie Mercury in the sky. NB: I'm not trying to be offensive there. I genuinely like to think that when I finally move on to the next plain that Freddie is there somewhere with a vodka and coke waiting. It turns out it was *just* a panic attack. Just. Anyone who has ever been unfortunate to have a panic attack will tell you it certainly doesn't feel trivial enough to warrant a 'just' before it. Well at least I wasn't dead...

I spent the next six months in a constant cycle of panic attacks followed by crippling tiredness and so on. It takes me a long time to fully recover from a panic attack. The adrenaline is so intense that I'm exhausted for days. On this occasion I fully believe I never truly had enough time between them to pull myself together. I didn't miss a day of work (although I should have) at this point and just carried on.

I pulled through only to stumble into another bout of panic attacks in 2009. I remember sitting on the bus and realising that for the first time in several months that it was happening again. I could have actually cried my eyes out... and I nearly did. This time it was this and the break up of a relationship that made me look at who this 23 year old man I'd become was. I had no idea. In my head I was still 16 and listening to Metallica 'til one in the morning. Perhaps I was the 19 year old that was the life and soul of a night out at university. He'd had high dreams to become a director and a writer. In 2009 I was working on a deli counter for a supermarket; far far away from my lofty aspirations.

I went for counselling shortly after my girlfriend at the time dumped me. To be honest it was for the best and would only have happened later. I simply wasn't ready for a relationship. I didn't even know who I was! Counselling was a huge moment in my life. It didn't mean I was crazy or insane; it simply meant I was brave enough and strong enough to ask for help. It had such a profound effect on me that I completed training to become a counsellor myself! My counsellor sat and listened to everything I had to say without judgement. If you aren't this lucky, get another counsellor. A good friend of mine told me his counsellor sat and talked at him for an hour before asking if that helped! I was lucky that I was given the space to look at my life. In comparison to some my life hasn't exactly been traumatic but I still had stuff to deal with.

It's nearly five years since my last panic attack. I'm 28 and yes I still work for that very same supermarket albeit a branch closer to home. The difference is that I know who I am. I will always consider myself very fortunate that my counselling training gave me an opportunity to look at myself and face up to what I saw. Some of it I didn't like; I still don't. I put things off for far too long. I'm crap with money. I'm very reluctant to take criticism. That being said there are things about myself I do like. I'm kind. I have an innate desire to help people. I like to make people laugh. I'm a son, a fiancé,  a brother, a friend and most recently an uncle and I can genuinely say that I've never been happier. Yes I have those stressful moments but I have something that 16 year old Mike didn't have: self respect.

Why have I decided to talk about this now? Let's think about what Frankie Boyle said. At some point in your mid 20s you'll have some kind of identity crisis. I consider myself lucky that I had mine at 23.  Some of my friends currently feel lost or unsure of their place in life.  It's a really shitty place to be. All I want to say is take a deep breath and look after yourself. It's not new agey. Chill out with your favourite film, cook your favourite meal or do what I did: put on your earphones and walk. It'll get better... after all we've got mid life crises to deal with in a couple of decades!!

I hope this has helped you and ask if there is any post here at Norris Approved that you share to make it this one.  I personally recommend the web forum NoMorePanic if you need support for panic disorder or depression. Plesse tweet me @NorrisApproved3 or leave a message below or on the Facebook page if you'd like to share your own experiences.

How much is TOO much for live music?

I'm off to see Black Stone Cherry later this month. It's going to be their first headlining arena tour in the UK and they are bringing along Aussie rockers Airbourne and Theory of a Deadman for support. For a great night of modern hard rock I paid £25 per ticket. In this day and age that's actually a bargain! Plus I KNOW that it will be an amazing show.

Black Stone Cherry at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield will be my 53rd gig (including festivals) since I saw Guns N'Roses and Foo Fighters at Leeds Festival back in 2002. Throughout the past twelve years I've seen acts as folky as Mumford & Sons right through to thrash gods Metallica but I've always had one rule...

Back in 2005, my sister told me that a friend was selling U2 tickets for the then City of Manchester Stadium. I agreed to take them off her hands before realising they were £60 each! As good as the show was I made a promise to myself on the train back to Durham: Never spend over £50 on a gig ticket. A £50 seems quite reasonable. Hell I nearly made if £40! As amazing as it is to see your favourite artists on stage, it's only one night and by the time you factor in travel, merchandise, food and possibly even a hotel you could easily be upwards of £100 out of pocket.

I've come close a couple of times to breaking my £50 rule. Festivals obviously don't count as you get so much more for your money. However there have been times when a really great band or singer comes to town and they want upwards of £50. Peter Gabriel is charging £51 (before fees) for his show at the Metro Radio Arena. I've seen Peter Gabriel once before (funny story I may tell one day relating to that) and he was great but I can't justify even that. Usher is also coming to the arena. He's not to my taste but obviously he's a pretty big deal. That being said he wants £61 of your hard earned money to sing 'Yeah!' and some other songs to you. I just can't justify it. Kylie Minogue wants £80 for a ticket to a show on her latest tour!! £80??? She should be so lucky! ...  ... I'll get my coat...

However this week I finally broke my £50 rule; call it inflation, call it weakness, I don't know. Queen's classic line up have been no more since 1991 when Freddie Mercury left us too soon. That hasn't stopped Brian May and Roger Taylor taking the baton over the past decade or so and hitting the road. One of the first gigs I ever went to was only their second show billed as Queen since the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. Queen + Paul Rodgers played the Metro Radio Arena in 2005 and gave us younger Queen fans a chance to see our heroes play the songs we love. In that context I was happy to pay £50. It is still one of the greatest nights of my life. Q+PR returned to the arena in 2008 on their Cosmos Rocks Tour and again blew the house down. I genuinely thought that I would never see Queen in any incarnation again.

Their current collaboration with American Idol alum Adam Lambert has breathed new life into the band and has seen them tour the world for a whole new generation of fans. Their much awaited UK tour went on sale yesterday with a price tag of... £70. Well £60 for the cheap seats. I'm not gonna lie, I really thought long and hard before getting tickets. In the end it was only the fact that my mum was so generous as to contribute towards the price of tickets as a Christmas present that I decided to go ahead and buy them. I simply couldn't have afforded it on my own. I'm 28 years old with a mortgage and a wedding to pay for. £70 (or £60 as I eventually plucked for) is a lot of money! That could pay my electricity or a good food shop. Perhaps I'm getting older and my priorities have changed. I'm extremely excited that I'm going to get to see Brian and Roger one more time and the fact they've been singing relatively obscure songs like 'In The Lap of The Gods... Revisited' give me goosebumps. That being said I'm fully aware that what their promoters expect fans to pay is extortion.

I'm not having a go at Queen. I've listed loads of artists here who are charging a huge amount to let you see them perform. Queen (like all the others) charge so much because they know we'll pay it. I'm living proof. However I'm pretty sure that I won't break my £50 rule again. Some of the best shows I've ever been to were also the cheapest. Every time I see WWE Superstar Chris Jericho's group Fozzy, I leave having thoroughly enjoyed myself and having only parted with an amount of money that would pay for a takeaway for me and the missus. Steel Panther (as of 2014) never charge over £20 and put on the most hilarious and bitchin' show I've ever seen; so much so I'll be seeing them again as part of my stag weekend next March.

Then there's Black Stone Cherry... 5th time seeing them in a few weeks and I KNOW I'll get my money's worth. Not that I think they'll ever charge over £50 a ticket but like Queen they are one of the few bands I'd be happy to break my £50 rule for.

What do you guys think? Do you have a cap for how much you'll pay for live music? You may also be interested in reading a post I wrote a few years back about Gorillaz cancelling some UK shows in favour of touring America. Read it on the link below:

An Open Letter to the Management of Gorillaz

Tweet me @NorrisApproved3 or like my Facebook Page. Alternatively comment below:

The British Network is coming!!! ... or is it?

For the past couple of months I've been bracing myself... No, nothing to do with my bodily functions. Since the end of August I've been bracing myself for the launch of the WWE Network here in the UK. For a long time fan like me it's a really big deal. Over the past decade or so WWE has amassed a gargantuan video library showcasing the best and worst of televised professional wrestling. Finally in February of this year, the E decided to launch it's long rumoured network in the US to much pomp and circumstance. Hulk Hogan came back almost exclusively to promote it, there were ads all over WWE TV and of course in today's online driven world there was no escaping it. Despite the fact that many UK fans found an easy and cheeky way to get the US stream I decided against it. I wanted to wait until WWE had perfected their revolutionary product and brought it legitimately to our shores. That date was touted a few weeks back as October 1st... and as of September 26th that's really all we know...

Yet there are so many questions surrounding the UK launch; some brought on by the launches around the world earlier this year and others from the uncharacteristically quiet stance McMahon and co have taken. I mean surely WWE WANT us to subscribe to their network... don't they?

Although 99% of the time I think I'm cool I have extremely geeky tendencies. One of my most prized possessions is a Marvin the Martian action figure who sits in my spare room. I've been known to watch 'Red Dwarf' DVDs with the actors' commentary on. Predictably as soon as I was given a launch date of October 1st for WWE Network I promptly made sure I wasn't at work that day... Geeky! So naturally I've been somewhat concerned by the lack of news. So here for anyone trying to catch up are the major questions ahead of the Network's launch and my best attempts to answer them.

Q: Will the UK see the WWE Network launch on October 1st?

A: Despite the lack of any major updates it certainly seems that way. I tried to research this myself a week or two back and reached out to Triple H on Twitter (see? Geek!!) during his Q&A about NXT Takeover. Unfortunately he didn't respond but I guess his main role that day was to hype the show. A couple of days ago I tweeted in a generally frustrated manner about it all:

While WWE Network didn't respond it was favourited by a wrestling podcast called Midweek Wrestle Chat (who you can follow @MWCUniverse). MWC carried the baton for me and reached out to WWE. The next day they tweeted this response:

To corroborate this story, any UK fans asking on the WWE Network Facebook page are being told that it WILL launch on October 1st. However here is where things get even hazier...

Q: Will the Network cost £9.99?

A: Honestly? I have no idea. You'd think if they make a chant out of it it should apply to everyone. $9.99 equates to about £6.99 roughly so WWE would make good money from the UK fans with a £9.99 price tag. Plus with the £ going up in value since Scotland voted No to independence (yeah I do politics too!) it would benefit WWE even more. That being said I guess we'll see.

Q: Will the WWE Network be a part of Sky?

This is arguably the most intriguing part of the whole situation. Every country in the world bar one that has WWE Network has it via an on demand online only service similar to Netflix. Canada however have a more traditional cable deal with a set up similar to if Sky had a dedicated WWE Channel. That's great for those with Sky but what about those who don't? What about those who have Sky but not Sky Sports? As I'm sure you've guessed already I tweeted Sky about the WWE Network and got this timely response:

So the answer (unless Sky are being coy) is a firm No. The UK will get an online deal similar to the rest of eh world. In short you'll need some sort of compatible device and/or the WWE App.

Q: But Sky show ALL WWE Pay Per Views. Does that mean our network won't get these?

A: I tend to believe the UK network will get all the PPVs although that's merely speculation. I'm sure Sky won't have too big an issue with this. They'll still get Raw and Smackdown before the Network does and to be honest the Network may even bring MORE viewers to the weekly shows on Sky. If WWE can't show the PPVs because of their deal with Sky then UK fans will likely use the loophole to subscribe internationally or worse case scenario not subscribe at all. I don't think WWE will take that risk.

So as of today that's all I know. You know what I know. If it does turn up next Wednesday I'm sure I'll do nothing all day. If it doesn't? Well then that's surely going to create a whole new set of questions and I'll have to dig out those Red Dwarf DVDs.

What do you think? Tweet me @NorrisApproved3 or leave me a message below :-)

The Great British Overreaction

Now as I'm sure you get by now I watch a lot of TV... I mean a lot! I studied TV and Radio Production at university so not only do I love TV but the nature in which we as a nation/world use it is of great interest to me.

One of the few shows that has passed me by is 'The Great British Bake-Off'. There's no particular reason for this. I'm aware it's about as popular as One Direction at a teen girl's sleepover. I'm even vaguely aware of Paul Hollywood but I don't know if that's his real name or not. I don't dislike it. It's simply something I've never watched. 

However I get the premise; to put it crudely it's like X-Factor meets the Apprentice meets Greggs. It's a hugely popular show; good for the BBC! However it seems since 'Bake-Off' moved on to BBC 1 that it has adopted some of the controversy usually reserved for shows like the X-Factor.

Now I'm the first to get annoyed when the weekly controversies and sob stories unfold on X-Factor but it's undoubtedly great telly. The tabloids splash Louis Walsh all over the front page, Internet forums go ballistic and the Mary Whitehouse's of the nation phone Ofcom because "something must be done". Although it can be tiresome it is just as much part of the show as the contestants. How does this relate to 'Bake-Off'? Well the show has been under intense scrutiny this week... And why?

...

...

...

Someone took someone's Baked Alaska out of the freezer.

I'll run that one by you again...

Someone took someone's Baked Alaska out of the freezer!!

Someone stop the presses!! Was anyone hurt? More importantly was the Baked Alaska hurt? Oh the humanity!! 

Please remember I don't have an issue with the show. I don't have an issue with the fact that they have capitalised on a 'controversy' the way they have. Admittedly it's amusing that people have contacted Ofcom because someone may or may not have sabotaged someone's pudding. I guess the big question is how is this media frenzy any different than what happens on X-Factor every year? 

Maybe the fact that it was covered on Newsnight????

Yes you've read that correctly. The baker of the terminal dessert was interviewed on the BBC's premier political TV show. Let's not worry about what's happening in the Middle East or what's going on with the NHS. I'd much rather hear about someone exiting a reality show because their Baked Alaska wasn't quite right!

You may think I'm overreacting... I think that the pot may be calling the kettle black. There's no escaping the media frenzy surrounding these shows; it's all part of the drama. The tabloids will always generate buzz to sell papers. That being said next time your favourite singer goes out on X-Factor or a baker's dough doesn't rise on 'Bake-off' please consider the following...

1. Is this *really* worth phoning Ofcom over... I mean really??

2. Is this going to affect your life in even the slightest measure?

3. Is this worthy enough to make its way on to Newsnight?

If not calm down, have a nice bath and watch something a bit less controversial... I hear Doctor Who hasn't had any Ofcom complaints lately ;-)

Thank you and help!

I'd like to quickly take the opportunity to send a HUGE thanks to everyone who has even glanced upon this blog so far. It's only a few weeks old but I love having the opportunity to ramble about stuff that interests me. If you have read any number of my posts; thank you. If you have shared or recommended my page to anyone; thanks! If you have favourited or retweeted a tweet (here's looking at you Mick Foley!) then once again thanks! Now that's out of the way I have a couple of ideas related to this blog and other projects and I would really appreciate anyone who could help...

First of all I've been thinking a lot about the topics I post about here at Norris Approved. Originally Norris Approved was going to be about music exclusively but I decided to write about other passions in my life including TV, movies and pro wrestling. Some people will be interested in what I have to say about WWE while others will be far more interested what I think about the latest rock albums.

That's not to say that I'm not willing to check out other stuff to write about. That's where you all come in. 'Norris Approved?' (title subject to change) is going to be a weekly post where I watch/listen to/read something I've had little or no experience of before and at the end of the post I'll decide whether it is 'Norris Approved' or not. This is where you come in. Is there a TV programme or movie you love or hate? Is there a band or album you worship or despise? Maybe there's a book you've read to death or absolutely loathed. All you have to do is send me your suggestions and I'll pick the best of the bunch. There are three ways you can suggest something for 'Norris Approved?':

1. Comment in the box below
2. Leave a message on the Norris Approved Facebook Page
3. Tweet me @NorrisApproved3

I'll post the first edition once I've picked something and had time to read/listen/watch whatever I've chosen. So PLEASE get suggesting...

My second request is something not entirely related to the blog but it seemed a good platform to reach out for help...

My good friend Shaune Kimberley and I have discussed for a while now starting our own podcast. He's coming up to visit in a couple of weeks and we are looking to record a pilot of sorts to see how that may look. With Kimbo and I both wrestling fans we no doubt will have wrestling as part of any podcast we do. An idea I have had for the podcast would involve help from someone with ZERO knowledge of wrestling.

We need an open-minded person (preferably with a sense of humour) who has NEVER watched wrestling in their entire lives. Just to be clear it needs to be someone who has no opinion on wrestling either other than curiosity. Someone who thinks it is 'fake' and 'shit' despite never watching it will be of no use. Said person can be any age, sex, race etc. All that's needed is access to Skype (in order to take part in the podcast) and access to WWE programming (Sky Sports). If the podcast is ongoing we'll get you as a regular contributor as you watch WWE every week. If this sounds like something you (or someone you know) would be perfect for then please DM me @NorrisApproved3 or email me at mikenorris339@live.com. Alternatively if you think you can help us with our podcast adventure in ANY way please do the same.

Well that's it for now. Thanks again for reading and if you can help with either of my ideas PLEASE get in touch,

Mike

Dean Ambrose- future World Champion?

There's no doubt that in the 21 months since they crashed the Survivor Series main event, the collective members of the Shield have changed the face of WWE. It's been a rare treat for fans to see three hungry, young superstars make their own indelible mark on wrestling. Almost without exception wrestling stables are built around one or two wrestlers while the rest simply make up the numbers. Think about the Rock as part of the Nation back in the 90s or Randy Orton in Legacy. The Shield were unique in that all three of the members were showcased, highlighted (and most importantly) prepared for the future.

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.