If WWE Was Being Honest About The Shield

by Michael Sidgwick
The Shield Honest II
WWE.com

The Shield were once the incredible answer to WWE’s main event star deficit. Now, true to WWE’s unspooling narrative, they invite nothing but questioning. This all feels like Survivor Series 2017 booking. Absolutely nothing holds up to scrutiny, and yet, the star-on-star clashes yielded several blockbuster moments that allowed us to enjoy it as an empty spectacle. And that’s what this is: moment-to-moment Michael Bay booking in defiance of a once-rich wider narrative.

For this reformation to work, it must act not as a platform for the Roman Reigns push, but the WrestleMania-sized Triple Threat sequel to Battleground 2016. That match was very good, but something of a missed opportunity even before the opening bell rang out.

Seth Rollins recently expressed a desire to at last distance WWE from its brigade of part-time Legends. This could be achieved, if Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose headlines WrestleMania 35. All of this would make sense, and drive something legendary, if WWE were to lean on the idea that Roman Reigns is leaning on his brothers to funnel their popularity. Dean Ambrose is the key here. He is the disenfranchised, fiercely loyal brother marginalised to the fringe, time and time again. Rollins is the fandom’s Guy. Surely, this should drive within him a sense of resentment set to combust on the Road to New Jersey.

The Shield aren’t good guys. They’re not bad guys. They’re just the Guys.

This nonsense won’t stick, much like it didn’t stick for Roman Reigns. They’ll doubtlessly wrestle several high-octane thrillers in the autumn months. But the very second Roman enters the fray, the fandom will jeer him, and then cheer him the very second he is joined by his brothers for the Triple Powerbomb spot. This should spark something within Rollins and Ambrose. The symbolism of their literally propping up prone opponents for Roman to destroy is something WWE should mine to make genuine poetry from a plot hole-ridden novel. Only by acknowledging and abandoning the pretence can WWE make something of this.

This might yet happen, and only then can we believe in The Shield reunion.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!