WNS Fan View: The Shield: Their individual Past, Present, and Future

*Sidenote: Hello everyone My name is Kyle Turner. I'm an 18 year old college freshman, majoring in journalism and mass communications.  I'm new to the WNS Staff, however I've been a fan since around the beginning.  I will be posting articles as much as I can.  Thanks in advance for reading.*

--

It’s coming.  The breakup we have all feared since their debut on November 18^th 2012.  The Shield is coming to an end.  Thankfully, however, it seems as if WWE is going the slow burn road.  This means we get to enjoy what little time the “Hounds of Justice” has left.  Each member brings something different to the table, that when put together, creates one of the best experiences in years.  Allow me to delve into each member of the shield, what separates them from each other, and why they all can go far in the company.

Let’s begin with Roman Reigns, the man who looks as if he will be the Catalyst for the breakup.  Roman is the explosive, athletic, brute strength of the shield.   Known as Leakee in his FCW Days, he was arguably the most unknown and green of the three when they first debuted at Survivor Series.  Over the next few months, with every vicious attack the shield gave out, it was clear that Roman was the one who delivers the final blow.  Whether it’s the triple power bomb aided by Ambrose and Rollins, or his devastating spear (which we’ll get into in a bit), Roman has always played the biggest part in taking out superstars.  When you find out Roman’s lineage, it’s easy to understand why it appears he can go far.

Born into the legendary Anoa’i family, the business is in his blood.  A relative of Rikishi, The Rock, The wild Samoans, the late Umaga, Rosey, and his rivals in the tag team division, The Usos, Roman’s destiny is in his hands.  A former NFL player for the Minnesota Vikings, his style is very reminiscent of a football player.  Raw athleticism, intensity, and explosive power is what separates him from his Shield Cohorts.  He has the look that Vince and Triple H always look for, and from his promos within the shield, with a little work, he can be pretty decent on the mic. 

One thing that really makes Roman a solid bet as a future star, is his absolutely BRUTAL spear. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1QDU7ztZvI

It doesn’t have the flair that Edge’s spear had, yet it looks much more painful.  I can see why, seeing as the spear is a football tackle.  However for some reason, Roman’s looks like its perfected.  It’s not hard to tell why the WWE is so behind Roman as a big player, and unlike many superstars that Vince has put in that position, I think many members of the WWE Universe is perfectly fine with that.

Seth Rollins

For years we have heard stories about some amazing Indie superstars.  Stars with so much talent, the WWE would be idiotic to pass them up.  CM Punk and Daniel Bryan, for example, were two huge indie wrestlers who were each the total package.  Now, they are 2 of the Big Three superstars in the company.  Next in line is Seth Rollins.  Rollins is a man who personifies Indy wrestling to a T. Heart, soul, fantastic ability, charisma, energy, and a look that makes him stand out. 

Performing on the Indie Circuit for years, Seth Rollins (then known as Tyler Black) made a name for himself as sort of a Jack of all trades.  There was nothing Rollins couldn’t do. Rollins is a former ROH Champion, FCW Champion, and the first ever NXT Champion.  He’s charismatic as hell, as shown by his NXT days, and he has a lot of the characteristics that the WWE Universe loves.   A high flyer, a great mat worker, a spot-taker, Rollins is a man who could put on a great match with a broom. And when put with someone who is equally as good or even better than he is (not that many to choose from) he can put on classics.  For example, his match with Daniel Bryan a few months back was arguably the best TV match of the year, right up there with Punk vs Cena.  Until then, Rollins never really had a chance to showcase his talents to the main audience.  Proving that he’s more than just a backup to Ambrose and Reigns, Rollins’ future won’t be as easy to predict as theirs is. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGLWPABTZF4

Rollins has many more positives than he does negatives.  Again, he’s fantastic in the ring, pretty good on the mic, however not elite.  He’s versatile so he can match up with a small guy like Evan Bourne, or a big guy like Kane.  One comparison I have seen across the IWC for Rollins, is another guy with hair that stands out: Jeff Hardy.  Now Rollins is a much better wrestler than Hardy ever was, however,  Jeff’s devil may care attitude is what made him so popular with the fans.  And Rollins has the ability to get over with the fans in that way as well.   He has the balls to take a huge bump, such as being thrown by Ryback through several tables at TLC.  As good as a face he was in NXT, he can be that good of a heel if he gets a bit better on the mic.  Rollins has the tools to be one of the biggest stars in the company, however in the case of many Indie stars before him, it’s up to WWE to run with him.  And we have seen them drop the ball many times *AHEM* Colt Cabana *AHEM*

Dean Ambrose

Remember when I said that we have heard many stories of stars in the indies?  Such amazing talents, great at everything they do.  Outside of Daniel Bryan, I don’t think there has ever been anyone with as many high expectations as Dean Ambrose.  To many, Ambrose is a Jack of all trades who can do no wrong.  While I wouldn’t go that far, I believe Ambrose has the potential to be one of the greatest heels we have seen in a while, possibly the best of our generation.  The current U.S. champ and De-Facto leader of the Shield has shown that he can do so many things great that it’s hard to point out a weak point. 

No there is no weak point.  He’s fantastic on the mat, he’s fantastic at spots and hardcore wrestling.  However, Ambrose’s biggest strength is his perfection of wrestling theatrics.  He has a touch for making the drama of a promo, segment, or match more than it really is. He knows the best way to act in whatever situation.  His facial and body expressions in matches, the way he strikes, his eccentric style that describes his personality perfectly.  When it comes to sports “entertainment”, Dean Ambrose has perfected the “entertainment” part.

 Along with Paul Heyman, CM Punk and Bray Wyatt, Ambrose is such an amazing mic worker that he makes you follow every word he says.  Not just in WWE, but before in his CZW, PWG days.   This promo, was the promo that admittedly got me and many others hooked on Ambrose, then known as Jon Moxley

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNGOY-jeYwI

A self-proclaimed, Sick guy, his gimmick was exactly that.  His promos were so sick, twisted, and evil that it reminded many of Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the joker.  And he wouldn’t change when he got signed to the ‘E’.  While he was in FCW, he was even more cocky and arrogant, even to the point of calling out CM Punk and doing an impromptu match with him.  In this match, he showed that he was more than just a great gimmick and a great promo guy.  He was a legit star.  He became embroiled in a physical feud with William Regal, in which he would continuously berate Regal.  In one match against Regal, Ambrose beat Regal to a bloody pulp and had to be separated by the entire FCW Locker room.

It’s really hard to imagine Dean Ambrose as something other than a vicious heel.   I just can’t see him being a face, because he’s too great of a bad guy.  Unlike guys like CM Punk, The Rock and Triple H who can play both heel and face tremendously, Ambrose is one of those guys who you love to hate.  Someone so good at being a heel, that he gets cheered because people respect him so much.  He can work a great match with the best of them, and can easily out-talk the best of them.  Ambrose has the potential to be one of the greatest Heels in WWE History.

The Shield has had such a huge impact on the WWE.  Over the year the Shield has been here, they have provided many great moments such as; taking out Undertaker, winning the Tag and US Titles in the same night, the match against Ryback and Team hell no at TLC and winning their Wrestlemania debut.  Once they break up and go their separate ways, wrestling fans will get to see three great talents begin their ascents to the top of the industry.  Ambrose, Rollins, and Reigns are a great stable, one of the best of the last 20 years, and once they are over, they will each be even better as singles competitors.