Let me first say I am big Dean Ambrose fan. I like his intensity. I like his persona. I like that he reminds me of a 1980s wrestler in a 2016 generation. Unfortunately, his star might beginning to fade a bit and the fame he has enjoyed might be losing a bit of its luster.
Ambrose is a victim of his own character – one that gives you Brian Pillman to the extreme and Terry Funk in a post-championship genre. In today’s WWE, that spells disaster if Ambrose wants to wear the top belt in the company.
Ambrose’s series of matches with Chris Jericho put him over once again with the fans as one of the best at hard core wrestling – but that cannot win a major title or last as a true contender for the company’s top prize. Changing his style, his persona or his appearance may spell disaster for the former Intercontinental and United States Champion. It’s a kind of hell Ambrose is bound to experience.
For now, Ambrose may have reached a temporary limit with his current place on the company ladder. Here are five reasons why he will never be a WWE World Champion.
He’s a Gimmick and nothing more
At the moment. Ambrose has fallen into a category that few can get themselves out of. It’s like being typecast on television or in the movies. After you have been in several “gimmick” style matches, you draw a following for that type of genre. Fans will not be as supportive should be repackaged as someone else or he changes his style of wrestling.
This is the kind of position Mick Foley was in after his harrowing stunts in the ring. Terry Funk or “Chainsaw” Charlie had a resume as an NWA World Champion under his belt, so fans could identify with both personas.
He’s the Third Wheel
It’s unfortunate, but Roman Reigns is the WWE World Champion and Seth Rollins is the new top contender for a title he never lost. Both former Shield members have passed him by.
While Ambrose has been in the ring with both men and given us all 5-star matches, there is no denying the feud between Reigns and Rollins is the match the fans and WWE wants to see. The good thing about stables like The Shield is that in concert, they are one bad ass clique. The bad thing about cliques like The Shield is once they disband, someone or more than one member gets left behind.
Right now, Ambrose is that guy.
Fast rising talent
WWE is in a situation where it looks like new stars are coming out of the woodwork weekly. The success of NXT and the free agent signings from NJPW and TNA make this a tricky spot. Any superstar, like Sami Zayn, AJ Styles, Baron Corbin and The Club becomes the hot ticket, which means established stars will have the spotlight adjusted from them to the new flock. Ambrose is in a purgatory since that is becoming a reality.
Given the fact The Club and Styles are white hot and the fact Finn Balor is on the way to the main roster, how far down the list will Ambrose fall?
No real place on the roster
He does not have a common opponent or “go to” wrestler to create chemistry with. John Cena had Edge and CM Punk. Triple H had Shawn Michaels. Reigns has Rollins. Ambrose could have both, but for now he is on hold of sorts.
Maybe a program with AJ Styles or Alberto Del Rio will help him move back up the company ladder. Both of the superstars I mentioned are in a bit of the same situation. Del Rio needs a solid run. Styles just had the rug pulled out underneath him once Rollins returned. I personally would love to see The Miz and Ambrose in a series of matches.
There is no Hardcore Title
And there should be. If there was any reason to bring back a title like the Hardcore strap, Ambrose is the one. There is a lot like about the current situation Ambrose is in, but not while he is trying to chase the main event picture.
Wrestlers like Ambrose, Sheamus and potentially Corbin and Luke Harper are made for that kind of situation. With this new era in the promotion, it could be real possibility titles will re-enter the company on Raw and Smackdown. Should Shane and Stephanie McMahon decide to get real and bring back some of the attitude of years gone by, the Hardcore Title would be a good way to start. Ambrose would be an instant contender.
