5 Most Insane Things Happening In Wrestling Right Now (Feb 1)
1. Dean Ambrose Refuses To Sign New Deal
If this shocking news was any bigger, Vince McMahon might actually push it, as opposed to making it tell the denizens of various cities that they stink: Dean Ambrose is leaving WWE upon the expiration of his current deal.
This is a game-changer. Ambrose isn't Mike Kanellis, with whom WWE has done literally nothing. Ambrose isn't The Revival, a tag team, and thus destined for a flash push at best. Ambrose isn't Hideo Itami, a performer past his prime with designs on returning to his homeland, with which WWE isn't yet in a position to monopolise. This is - nominally - a top star, a former and potentially future WWE Champion with a rich backstory WWE can always lean back on, even if his present day booking stinks like [insert city at the expense of a blood feud that writes itself]. That top star is now putting over, lol, Nia Jax as punishment.
Reading Wade Keller's scoop, if anything, it's more shocking that Ambrose didn't pull a CM Punk three years ago. Ambrose, a mustard-throwing, Mountie-cosplaying, Mitch-lovin' zany person, apparently loathes Vince McMahon's "hokey" vision for his character, which manifests in eye-squeezing goofiness.
"Hey Seth, God is punishing our brother Luke...Leukaemia!"
"I've had just about enough of my brother Archie...Archie Techt!"
In the wake of this news, per PWInsider's Mike Johnson, WWE management railroaded guys whose contracts are counting down into rooms at Tuesday's SmackDown Live taping.
Sign extended deals for money, was the message sent. Or we'll book you like sh*t!
What the difference is between punishment and standard procedure is anybody's guess.