Shield Reunion at WWE Payback 2015 PPV? (Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins)

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The Shield 500x250

Speculation is abound! WWE Payback will see The Shield reunite in 2015! Is this wishful thinking, an educated guess or just classic nonsense? The only certainty is that this rumor has no basis in insider knowledge. So why is the reunion of The Shield, arguably the most iconic faction of the modern era of sports entertainment, even being considered a possibility? The answer to this is that Dean Ambrose was hastily added to the main event of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at this month’s pay per view.
Even before Extreme Rules took place, WWE leaked the promo video for Payback, a Triple Threat match involving Seth Rollins, Randy Orton and Roman Reigns. Assuming that Rollins retained his title at Extreme Rules against Randy Orton, and he in fact did, there would be a sensible reason for both Orton and Reigns to extract “payback” from the champion. Orton would rightfully desire another shot at Seth after whatever underhanded method he would use at Extreme Rules to hang onto the gold, while Roman would still be seeking revenge due to Rollins cashing in the Money in the Bank briefcase crushing his dream of defeating Brock Lesnar for the title at Wrestlemania 32.

This Triple Threat match would be made official on an episode of RAW after Director of Operations Kane would initiate a vote determined by the WWE Universe. Voters would have the choice of choosing Randy Orton, Roman Reigns or both as the next challenger(s) to the WWE’s most coveted prize. The subplots of the storyline of this match included Seth Rollins being furious at Kane for his actions leading to such a perilous predicament as well as Orton and Reigns being at each others’ throats.

A cursory examination of all the layers of the Triple Threat match would appear to have enough factors to make it interesting enough on it’s own, but then a wrench was thrown into it when Kane books a match between Rollins and Dean Ambrose with the stipulation being that Ambrose winning would yield entry into the main event, thus upgrading it to become a Fatal Fourway. Dean managed to get the win and changed the main event of Payback in the process. With all three former Shieldmates in the match rumors surfaced that Reigns and Rollins would turn heel and reform their successful faction.

There seems to be the strong belief that the WWE is short on heels at the moment which only adds fuel to the speculation. With Ryback, Dolph Ziggler and Damien Sandow becoming more popular than expected there is some merit to the claim. However with the ultra-beloved Daniel Bryan being out indefinitely with another injury coupled with heels that could easily be elevated such as Bad News Barrett, Stardust, Sheamus and Luke Harper, maybe turning Ambrose and Reigns is niether necessary nor a great idea.

Still, a Shield reunion would definitely shake up the current product by it’s foundations and create compelling television. With all three members having successful solo careers for the past year, as a group they would be even more larger than life and lucrative then their original run. The concept would be the perfect setup to the much demanded Triple Threat between the three at Wrestlemania 32 as a potential reunion likely wouldn’t last forever.

Whether this rumor becomes a reality or not it cannot be denied that the possibility generates anticipation and intrigue going into Payback.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn2IZkS8vM8

Philly Phil is best described as a "sports entertainment" generalist working many positions in the pro wrestling industry from in ring performer to announcer to referee to promoter. Now he works from the outside covering the sport through writing and video.