5 reasons why Dean Ambrose should be added to the Universal Title match at the 2019 Royal Rumble 

Does the Universal Title match need a little more energy in the form of Ambrose?
Does the Universal Title match need a little more energy in the form of Ambrose?

The Universal Title match at the Royal Rumble is once again going to be Brock Lesnar vs Braun Strowman, and if that doesn't get you excited, well no one is criticizing you, as this is narrative that is more overdone than a Raw main event.

While some fans dont mind seeing Braun Strowman get another opportunity against Brock Lesnar, the truth is that it might not end well for Strowman, as it seems unlikely WWE would take the title off one of their biggest draws in Brock Lesnar.

So what could have been done to make this match even more interesting, even though Lesnar winning seems like a formality at this point? Well, this match needs a wildcard, a superstar that creates uncertainty, and that could have been Dean Ambrose.

Ambrose in a World Title match feels quite unlikely at this point, but if it were to happen how would it positively affect the Universal Title, these competitors and the entire Raw brand going forward?


#1 Unfinished business

The feud that everyone thought would launch Ambrose's career.
The feud that everyone thought would launch Ambrose's career.

Back in 2016, it was clear that WWE started to believe in Dean Ambrose, as they put him in several Wolrd Title matches, involved him in the biggest narratives of the year, and they put him up against the biggest star in the company at the time, Brock Lesnar. Ambrose vs Lesnar should have been a modern classic, as these were two men that were complete opposites of each other, as Ambrose was the unpredictable lunatic, while Lesnar was the reserved ass kicker.

While many expected their WrestleMania 32 showdown to steal the show, it actually disappointed everyone, as their match had no standout moments other than Ambrose grating his face against barbed wire. Fans couldn't understand what went down that made this match lacklustre, and just a few months later we got the answer, as Ambrose appeared on the Stone Cold podcast.

While the interview would become infamous in its own right, it was interesting to know that Ambrose told Stone Cold that the reason why his match with Lesnar was so disappointing was due to Lesnar not wanting to do any of Ambrose's planned out spots for the match.

Real life heat between two wrestlers is quite common, but when its superstars on this scale one could only imagine the implications, this could have in a reignited storyline. Ambrose getting in the ring with Lesnar one more time to wrap up his unfinished business with "the beast" would truly be warranted, and it would make the dull Universal Title match more interesting.


#2 It will elevate Ambrose's heel turn

Ambrose's heel turn has been a failure up to this point.
Ambrose's heel turn has been a failure up to this point.

Dean Ambrose is a special character in a dull era of WWE, as his character felt distinctive enough to make him a fan favourite, that is why when it was time for Ambrose to naturally turn heel, fans were expecting something extraordinary from WWE's creative team, as this was a wrestler that has all the capabilities to succeed in a villainous role.

From his strong backstory to Ambrose's natural ability to succeed as a heel, everything was set for Ambrose to be WWE next top heel. And his heel turn was perfectly booked, the follow up was amazing, but everything afterwards was a big joke.

Ambrose cosplayed as Bane, became a germaphobe, and had motivations of a generic rookie, those things ruined his character for many, and that needs to change. So, how would Ambrose's inclusion in the Universal Title match improve his heel character?

Firstly, being involved with megastars such as Lesnar and Strowman as opposed to mid-carders like Apollo Crews and Tyler Breeze instantly raises Ambrose's stock. Moreover, it gives him the spotlight to showcase his heel character in full form while not being overshadowed by a rising top star like Seth Rollins.

#3 A wild spark in a monotonous match

Who actually expects a classic from these two?
Who actually expects a classic from these two?

Lesnar and Strowman are world class athletes, as they have proven that many times over their careers, but when they are paired together, something just doesn't click, as their matches range from mediocre to boring. And it is truly not their fault, as this is the fifth time they are wrestling with each other, so how can we expect a classic?

And past encounters prove the point above, as their Summerslam 2017 encounter was awesome, their No Mercy 2017 showdown was disappointing, and their last two matches at the 2018 Royal Rumble and Crown Jewel event was totally terrible. This matchup needs a spark that could reignite some of the chemistry Lesnar and Strowman might have.

And that spark is Dean Ambrose, Ambrose is the standout in most of the big multi-man matches he took part in, from The Shield triple threat to his previous encounter with Lesnar and Roman Reigns at Fastlane 2016, Ambrose was the key to those matches success. And after reinventing himself as a jacked up badass, Ambrose could believably hold his own against Lesnar and Strowman, while guiding them to an awesome match.

#4 Strowman saves his career

One more loss for Strowman and his career could be done.
One more loss for Strowman and his career could be done.

Braun Strowman's career was a promising once, as back in 2016/17, many expected Braun to be the biggest wrestler in the world just a few years down the road, and it was actually going that way.

As Strowman was a badass anti-hero that destroyed arena's, main event level superstars, and countless jobbers in between, so where did it all go downhill for this fan favourite superstar?

No Mercy 2017, it was Strowman vs Lesnar in arguably the biggest match of the year, Strowman was possibly the most popular superstar in wrestling at that point, and it was Strowman's night, this was his moment, but WWE didn't send the man to the top of the company, but instead destroyed his career.

And they kept on destroying his career ever since that day, and while most still like Strowman, you can't argue that he is not the monster he used to be.

Moreover, rumours have it that Braun will lose to Lesnar at the Royal Rumble, as Lesnar is going straight to the main event of Wrestlemania. So that is where Ambrose comes in handy in this match, as Strowman eating defeat to Lesnar again, will surely end the credibility of his character.

And while Ambrose facing defeat may sound counterproductive to some of you, but ask yourself this question, who will lose more in defeat, Strowman or Ambrose? Moreover, Ambrose being in this match is enough to give him the boost he so dearly needs.

#5 The door to the main event is open

Ambrose vs Rollins ain't over by a long shot.
Ambrose vs Rollins ain't over by a long shot.

The main thing which was disappointing about Dean Ambrose's heel turn was the fact that his career-defining feud with Seth Rollins was so lacklustre it was unbelievable.

As this is one of the few narratives in WWE that has substance to it, so by booking it in such a mediocre manner WWE sort of ruined its unique feel, as fans no longer care about the problems between these two former Shield brethren.

And it seems as if Seth Rollins has moved on from his storyline with Ambrose, as he is now focused on a new path that leads him to Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania, and this sums up the argument of why Ambrose should be added to the Universal Title match at the Royal Rumble.

As Ambrose getting back in the main event picture could set him and Rollins up for another war down the road, as many expect Rollins to win the Royal Rumble and become the Universal Champion. So Ambrose getting a taste of Wolrd Title glory while his biggest rival holds the title would be a great catalyst for another showdown between these two.