Dean Ambrose

Nicknames: The Dude, The Lunatic Fringe

Place of Birth: Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.

Finishing Move: Dirty Deeds

Major Titles Held: WWE Intercontinental Championship (x2), WWE Raw Tag Team Championship (x1), WWE United States Championship (x1), WWE World Heavyweight Championship (x1,) Triple Crown Champion, Eighth Grand Slam Champion, Money in the Bank Winner

Signature Moves: Air Lunatic (Suicide dive, Corner forearm smash, Diving elbow drop to a standing opponent and/or to the outside of the ring Double leg takedown followed by multiple punches, Double underhook superplex, Front missile dropkick, Knee strike to the midsection, as a counter to an oncoming opponent, Lunatic Lariat (Pendulum lariat or a rebound clothesline to an opponent outside the ring, preceded by sweeping off from the apron), Money Clip (Rolling release suplex), Running crossbody followed by multiple punches, Running front dropkick to an opponent against the ropes, Snap DDT, Snap elbow drop, Swinging backbreaker, Tornado DDT

Interesting Trivia: His first televised match after signing for WWE was on FCW (WWE’s developmental territory), where he wrestled his Shield partner, Seth Rollins.

Entrance Themes: ‘Special Op’ by Jim Johnston (2012 – 2014; 2017 – present; used as part of The Shield), ‘Retaliation’ by CFO$ (2014–present)

Dean Ambrose’s history

Dean Ambrose rose to fame at indie promotions like Dragon Gate USA and Combat Zone Wrestling, under the ring name Jon Moxley. He wrestled with future WWE Superstars like Austin Aries, Roderick Strong, and Sami Callihan in his time spent at the indies, which began in 2004 at the tender age of 19.  

WWE Debut

Dean Ambrose’s WWE career began at WWE’s former developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling in 2011, after making a name for himself in the independent circuit.

His first notable feud in FCW was against future Shield teammate, Seth Rollins, and he then wrestled Rollins and Roman Reigns, who would later form The Shield, fought in a triple threat match. He even had a match with CM Punk in FCW, who was at the promotion as a guest.

Before his main roster debut, Ambrose feuded with the likes of WWE Legends, William Regal and Mick Foley.

Main Roster Debut

Dean Ambrose, alongside his Shield brethren, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins, made an incredible main roster debut at Survivor Series 2012 when they powerbombed Ryback through the announce table. This interference allowed CM Punk to defeat John Cena and keep his WWE Championship.

The Shield then helped Punk a few more times before dissociating with him, but continuing their attack on various Superstars, including The Undertaker, and bringing ‘justice’ in WWE.

United States Championship reign

Ambrose’s first singles feud in the main roster was against Kofi Kingston, for the WWE United States Championship. At the Extreme Rules PPV in 2013, The Lunatic Fringe won his first championship in the main roster after defeating Kingston for the United States Championship. He then had a brief feud with Kane, against whom he retained his title, and then against Rob Van Dam, and the title remained firmly around his waist.

Ambrose and his Shield brethren then became The Authority’s enforcers, while the cracks were emerging in the trio’s relationship. Ambrose continued to hold onto his championship belt, brushing off the competition posed by Dolph Ziggler and Big E.

There was more disagreement and dispute between the trio which reached its peak at Royal Rumble 2014 when Reigns eliminated both Rollins and Ambrose after Ambrose had earlier tried to throw Reigns over the ropes.

Ambrose finally lost the United States Championship on the RAW after Extreme Rules, ending his title reign at 351 days, which is longest reign in the WWE era.

Shield Dissolution & Rollins feud

After months of teasing a dissolution of The Shield, it finally happened at Payback when Rollins turned on Reigns and Ambrose, under the instructions of Triple H.

Rollins and Ambrose began their feud, and at the Money in the Bank ladder match, an interference and attack on Ambrose by Kane helped Rollins win the match. The two wrestled at SummerSlam, and after being attacked by Rollins on RAW a few weeks later, Ambrose was written off TV for a while.

He made a return to WWE TV at the Night of Champions PPV and ambushed Rollins, following which the two faced off at Hell in a Cell, and Ambrose began a feud with Bray Wyatt.

The feud with Rollins resumed, this time for the WWE World Championship, which Rollins had won at WrestleMania. He was unsuccessful in winning the title, but then challenged Rollins for the title at Money in the Bank PPV.

Reigns reunion, first Intercontinental championship win and World Champion 

Ambrose and Reigns began to team up, and the former then feuded with Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper. An injury to Rollins, who was WWE Champion, meant that he had to relinquish the title, following which a 16-man tournament was held to crown the new champion, which included Ambrose.

Ambrose was defeated by Reigns in the final at Survivor Series 2015, and then began a feud with then Intercontinental Champion, Kevin Owens, and soon secured the title after becoming the No. 1 contender. After successfully defending his title at Royal Rumble, he was then added to a triple threat No. 1 contender match against Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar, to get a chance to face WWE Champion, Triple H.

Reigns pinned Ambrose in the match at Fastlane, and he was then ambushed by Lesnar, and the duo’s feud culminated in a No Holds Barred Street Fight at WrestleMania 32, which The Beast won.

He had a brief feud with Chris Jericho, before winning the Money in the Bank ladder match, defeating Dolph Ziggler, and then going on to clinch the WWE Championship from Seth Rollins, for the first time.

Ambrose, Reigns and Rollins faced off against each other at Battleground for the WWE Championship and retained the title, and once again retained it when he defeated Ziggler at Summerslam.

He lost the WWE Championship to AJ Styles at Backlash, and then the duo had a memorable feud with the inclusion of James Ellsworth in the storyline.

Ambrose was once again in the running for the Intercontinental Championship and feuded with The Miz for the title, eventually winning it for the second time in January 2017. After a brief feud with Baron Corbin, Ambrose once again feuded with The Miz, but this time The A-Lister got the better of him and regained his title at Extreme Rules, ending his title run at 152 days.

Reunion of The Shield, Injury



Ambrose’s feud with The Miz continued and now included The Miz’s lackeys, The Miztourage. To counter the numbers, Ambrose joined hands with former Shield mate, Seth Rollins, and after the end of their feud with The Miztourage, the duo faced off against RAW Tag Team champions, Sheamus & Cesaro, and defeated them at SummerSlam to win the title.

A full Shield reunion was completed when Reigns joined the duo on an episode of RAW. Ambrose and Rollins lost their tag team titles in November 2017.

Ambrose was put on the shelf after suffering a triceps injury in December, 2017, which was reported to keep him out for at least 9 months.