What if The Shield added two members?

There’s little question that The Shield is the most successful stable WWE has created in the last decade. The group is a draw in and of itself, and put on more than its share of excellent six man tag matches. Moreover, the group created three main event level stars who have all won world championships, and who now make the reunited faction feel like an even bigger deal because of what they accomplished on their own.

It's not entirely clear how long The Shield will stick around this time, but if they are together for more than a quick nostalgia tour, might WWE consider expanding their ranks?

If The Shield were to grow from three members to five, it could open a number of fascinating storytelling possibilities, including pushing new talents by association with the celebrated group, as well as broadening the stories available to the core members. Of course, not just any additions would do. This article looks at five pairs that could be added to The Shield.

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#5 Aleister Black and Kassius Ohno

Aleister Black and Kassius Ohno would inject fresh blood while preserving the spirit of The Shield.

If The Shield were to stay truest to its roots, it would mean not adding established veterans to an all star team, but rather calling up top talents from developmental. Of the talents available, Aleister black could make immediate sense as one of the most complete young performers NXT has to offer, and a buzz worthy guy who would have hardcore and more casual fans alike excited.

While Kassius Ohno isn’t as well established as an NXT headliner, he’s a veteran of the indies who has been around WWE’s developmental system for quite some time across two stints. Ohno has the added bonus attached to him that CM Punk has claimed he, not Roman Reigns, was originally earmarked to complete the Shield trio as a band of big talents with indie cred. Bringing in Ohno now would not only mean adding a polished performer, but bringing the group full circle.

#4 The Authors of Pain

The Authors of Pain could offer a shield for The Shield.

Of all of the talents available to join The Shield, The Authors of Pain would, if nothing else, need the least aesthetic modification to fit with The Shield. Their signature gear already closely resembles that of the established stable.

More than just a pair of guys who wear similar clothes, The Authors of Pain, Akam and Rezar, are young talents who would benefit from the association and could make logical sense as storyline additions to the group. Particularly with Braun Strowman and company getting the better of the group in recent showings, the Authors of Pain could be sold as calling in back up—a sort of protective shield to the Shield as big, imposing guys to have the original trio’s back. Best of all, The AOP proved themselves nicely across their NXT run as more than just a generic big man team.

Whether they’re working heel or face, they proved themselves as more than capable of delivering in big match situations opposite opponents ranging from The Revival to DIY to the Undisputed Era. That adaptability could serve them well if The Shield stayed face, turned heel, or even eventually splintered.

#3 Kurt Angle and Lars Sullivan

What better way to combat Braun Strowman than with a monster of Shield's own?

Kurt Angle has an existing connection to The Shield based on his impromptu, informal membership in the group when he filled in for an ill Roman Reigns in the faction’s big comeback match at TLC 2017. Particularly with the story of the Olympic Hero temporarily displaced from his position as Raw GM, it would make all the sense in the world for him to rejoin the group’s ranks and continue their story together.

Lars Sullivan is a bit more of a left field pick to join The Shield. However, Roman Reigns is currently locked into an arms race with Braun Strowman. Strowman has the Money in the Bank briefcase, so Reigns called in Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose to fend off a cash-in. Strowman enlisted Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler to back him. The Shield’s next move? Recruit its own monster to stand tall against Strowman.

Sullivan seems about as ready as he’ll get for a call up, and there’s little bigger impact he could make than teaming with The Shield out of the gate. The move could make particular sense if Angle’s GM influence is woven in to explain him coming to Raw to help the team.

#2 American Alpha

American Alpha could help stir things up for The Shield.

Sticking with the theme of Kurt Angle helping The Shield, rather than joining the team himself, he could send in two ringers he has a vested interest in. His kayfabe son Jason Jordan is already linked to the group, and specifically to Seth Rollins whom he was programmed with before getting injured last fall. He’d make logical enough sense to bring in as part of the group when he can return from injury.

As for Chad Gable, he doesn’t have a real history with The Shield, but his amateur pedigree was already used to establish a connection between him and Angle, and he’s Jordan’s former tag team partner in American Alpha. Best of all, he’s a tremendous worker who is totally lost in the shuffle now and has proven himself particularly electric in the kinds of fast paced tag team situations that The Shield has a long history of thriving in.

#1 Nikki Cross and Dakota Kai

Adding women to The Shield could really change up the group's dynamic.

For what may be the most offbeat picks of all, there’s no rule that The Shield couldn’t expand into the women’s ranks. Indeed, WWE has been booking mixed tag team matches with a fervor lately, with the SmackDown side in particular featuring The Miz and Maryse, Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella, Rusev and Lana, and Andrade Almas and Zelina Vega. Things could just as easily heat up on the Raw side, and adding women to The Shield would open all manner of opportunities.

Nikki Cross and Dakota Kai had a connection in standing up to their mutual enemy Shayna Baszler in NXT. Moreover, they’re a pair of talented, over young women who have the tools to very reasonably get called up. Debuting them as part of The Shield would help these two immediately stand out from the pack, not to mention give them entry to the informal tag team ranks already taking shape for the Raw women’s roster in tandems like Sasha Banks and Bayley, the Riott Squad, and Alexa Bliss and Mickie James (and Alicia Fox).