5 Biggest Winners & Losers From WWE SmackDown Live (23 Aug)

3. Loser: Dean Ambrose

AJ Styles Dean Ambrose
WWE.com

Dean Ambrose didn’t set the house on fire last night, but he didn’t really need to. He defeated Dolph Ziggler at SummerSlam cleanly and comprehensively, effectively proving everything he’d said about Dolph’s lack of direction and focus over the past month correct. He stood tall over the blue brand’s main event scene, and though his belt was undeniably harmed by SummerSlam’s egregious running order, he had little to prove to the audience last night.

Sadly, Ambrose’s contributions saw him take a few steps backwards last night. The Lunatic Fringe has done well to switch-up his character and become a more focused and methodical personality. One of his biggest criticisms since The Shield split has been his reliance on goofy comedy, but the Brand Split appeared to have buried those traits, and Ambrose had emerged as the main event force that SD needed to drive them forward.

Unfortunately, it looks like Rodeo Clown Ambrose is back. His first appearance last night saw him goofing around in the casino wearing a giant Styrofoam cowboy hat, and paying for his drinks with casino chips. Ambrose headed for the commentary booth shortly after, and while this wasn’t quite as bad as the time he lost to an exploding television (or assaulted Seth Rollins with a hotdog cart), it was an unwanted flashback to the cornball persona that many thought Dean had left behind.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.