10 Things You Didn't Know About WWE Champion Dean Ambrose
2. He Had It Tough Growing Up
Ambrose by his own admission had a tough upbringing. Often forced to sell drugs by the tougher kids on the grim, dilapidated stretch of Cincinnati public housing he called home, Ambrose had he not done so would incur savage beatings. He earned their respect by using similarly violent reactionary tactics, though not for their respect - he just 'wanted out', as he told Slam! Sports in 2010.
Initially perceived as a 'screw-up' by trainer Les Thatcher of the Heartland Wrestling Association, Ambrose nonetheless made his way out through pro wrestling stardom. Like all the best pro wrestlers, Ambrose used the more fascinating elements of his real-life personality to augment his on-screen avatar. Every crazed facial expression, nervous flexing of fingers, and crazed barrage of punches seem to be rooted in a place of intense personal anguish, from which he launches into feral attacks on his opponents.
Hypnotised by the bloodthirsty ECW in his formative years, it may come as a shock - but not a surprise - to learn who the young Ambrose idolised growing up...