Why Ambrose vs. Rollins Works in 4 Reasons
Week in and week out, former Shield counterparts Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins are building the kind of rivalry usually reserved for the elite of the elite, chosen few.
In fact, considering both men are not main event players – not yet, anyway – it would be way more ordinary in today’s WWE world for Ambrose and Rollins to have had 2-3 different programs in the period their storyline has already spanned.
Their feud’s longevity is a testament to both men and those who make the consistent decision to keep the ball rolling between them.
But why is it working, when so many feuds fizzle out in a matter of weeks? Let’s take a look:
1. They Are Opposites Playing Off Of Each Other
In the midst of a script-laden, watered down roster where the wrestlers are often dummies to the office’s ventriloquist, Ambrose’s character is in the handful of uniquely-built and well-delivered personas in WWE.
He’s crazy, he’s funny, he’s relentless and it’s very hard to tell what comes next. Unfortunately, these are shockingly rare qualities in WWE’s weekly television, as we can argue their talent pool has never been deeper, and the writing just doesn’t seem up to par for the most part.
Meanwhile, Seth Rollins is a straight-up heel, basking in The Shield’s demise by his own hand. He stabbed Ambrose in the back and must now deal with a lunatic for what seems to be the rest of his life.
To Rollins’s straight approach to heeldom on one end of the spectre, comes Ambrose’s “totally out there” antics on the opposing extreme.
It’s always easier to look jacked up next to someone is as slim as a toothpick. It’s always easier to look funny and dynamic next to someone so bland they suck out all the fun in a room. Extremes naturally play off of each other.
And, as opposites, Ambrose and Rollins are able to pull that off and make their individual acts and their storyline grow on the viewing audience.
2. Fresh Angles
If they both came to the ring every week and ran their mouth on the microphone, painfully going from one scripted promo to the next, their feud would be long gone.
Their story has intertwined a steady mix of promos, brawls, run-ins and a few of offbeat 1-on-1 segments: the filling of the briefcase with Coke and popcorn, the ice bucket “challenge”.
From that last line, one can argue they sound like the most mundane of angles. And, let’s face it… They are. But they work.
They work because Ambrose and Rollins make it work. Ambrose’s expressions and delivery are key, as is Seth’s reaction to his antics.
Combining both men’s way-above-par performances with the variety of segments that has built their feud, the crowd remains engaged. Which, at the end of the day, is what counts.
3. The Chase
The feud has been built as a Chase: it’s all about Ambrose getting to Rollins, and Seth slipping away at the last second.
Their matches and segments clearly have them on an even keel, and it has been Seth’s underhandedness that has been getting him by, namely by enlisting the assistance of Kane.
Ambrose keeps coming, undeterred by beatdowns and losses. He chases and chases and never stops. A human Terminator on a mission.
But… one day, the chase will be over. Rollins will get his. And when Ambrose gets his revenge, the audience will get a high release or, as the grappling carneys call it, POP.
4. Both Guys Deliver
This cannot be stated enough.
Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins are, by far, the creme de la creme of WWE. They are high quality to world-class in any skill of the performance art that is pro wrestling, given their unique combination of natural ability, indy background and WWE training:
Promos – just look at their feud. They work. Ambrose is particularly stellar, but Rollins never disappoints in playing the straight heel.
Matches – not only are they highly skilled in their own individual styles, but they have great chemistry. Rollins is clearly the highlight here, but Ambrose more than holds his own (I’d only edit out the McGuiness Jawbreaker Clothesline, but even that Rollins sells like a champ).
Acting – even in the most seemingly commonplace angles, they sell it. Rollins looks pissed about a metal briefcase full of Cola-Cola. Ambrose’s sarcasm was dead-on after pouring ice water on Seth. This list could and would go on.
In a month or two, this feud should be concluded and, I guarantee you, the blowoff match will be a tremendous highlight. There’s just no way it can’t be.
Both men will move on and, hopefully, get the same amount of traction going on in their next feuds, down the line to a big Wrestlemania 31 gig.
While the breakup of The Shield wasn’t my favorite thing (even though I’m glad it came before any staleness presented itself), the Rollins vs. Ambrose storyline is one hell of a silver lining.
When it comes to this feud, I’m convinced. Are you?
