Dean Ambrose's WWE Career: Missed Opportunities and Mistakes

Last week it was confirmed that former WWE Champion Dean Ambrose will, in fact, be leaving the WWE after Wrestlemania and the news has surprised fans greatly. Returning to action only last Summer following an injury a new look and a heel turn saw the lunatic fringe adopt a new role on Monday nights however despite a perfectly timed and executed heel turn the past few months haven’t been as strong for Ambrose as many would have expected, however, looking back on his entire WWE career just what have been the missed opportunities the WWE have faced in terms of Dean Ambrose.

Not Turning Him Heel Sooner

In twenty eighteen fans finally witnessed Dean Ambrose given the heel run many had anticipated and with the turn happening the night of Roman Reigns’ heartbreaking announcement the timing could not have been more controversial and well executed, however, the past few months haven’t quite gone the way many expected and the real shame here is simply how frustrating It is that the WWE didn’t go ahead with a heel Ambrose a long time before now. Throughout his career whether it be the Jon Moxley days, the FCW stage, or the early Shield years, Ambrose has shined bright in the role of a heel and there is no denying that if the WWE had pushed him as a big tie singles heel years before now on the main roster is could have been a huge main event star at a much higher level than he is now.

Allowing Him to Bring back the Hardcore Title

We have already touched on the Jon Moxley days but anyone who is aware of this time of Ambrose’s career will know that these were days in which he showcased mod day hardcore wrestling at its finest. Collisions with several names and a pairing with Sami Callihan along with CZW bookings showed Ambrose to have the ability to bring something very exciting and fresh to hardcore wrestling today and while the WWE is working a PG era bringing back the hardcore championship has always been an option and if done correctly could have been excellent! Ambrose’s history and character would have made this very fitting and successful for both him and a new direction in the WWE.

The Brock Lesnar Feud

One rivalry that did promise great things but disappointed massively was Ambrose’s feud with Brock Lesnar. While the lunatic fringe walking out as the victor here was borderline impossible to even imagine this match and this feud could have been a huge turning point for Dean but what in fact did was kick start a very bad run for the former champion. Failing to truly bounce back after this rivalry it was here the WWE could have showcased Ambrose’s more serious yet totally insane and barbaric character exploring his hardcore style more. A huge impact during this Mania event could have taken Ambrose to new heights and a unique position on the roster even without scoring the win.

The Lunatic Fringe… Done Properly

Character work has always been weaker for Ambrose than it should have been. The WWE has never gone as far as they should have whether it be the Lunatic Fringe angle or his most recent heel turn. Turning Ambrose up to one hundred and going the full hog is something the WWE should have done from the get-go, but it hasn’t happened and fans have always been left wanting and asking for just a little bit more. The Lunatic Fringe gimmick had great potential! The “crazy” character is one that is explored across every single wrestling promotion and Ambrose had all the charisma and the following to pull it off better than any other but with the likes of Sanity arriving on the scene it was clear Ambrose was not living up to his name and weak character work has remained an issue to this very day.

Switchblade Conspiracy Reunion

It was only a few years back that fans saw both Dean Ambrose and Sami Callihan (Solomon Crowe) working for the WWE and the realisation left many desperate to see a reunion between the two. The pair had spent their careers on the indie scene working as part of the Switchblade Conspiracy team creating a strong fanbase and developing something very unique, interesting and entertaining on the wrestling scene. With the pair in the WWE at the same time, it felt as though it was only a matter of time before they reunite this time in a WWE ring. Not focusing in on angle that saw Ambrose turn on Reigns and Rollins so stand alongside Crowe is a huge mistake and major missed opportunity for Ambrose!

The Anti Authority Figure

If last Monday’s verbal confrontation with Triple H wasn’t first confirmation that the WWE should have done an Anti-Authority figure angle with Ambrose than I don’t know what is! Ambrose’s character and the work we had seen from him from the start of his Shield days to his original rivalry with Seth Rollins showed him to be the perfect man to adopt a role similar to what we saw from CM Punk. Calling out the big names backstage and the politics behind wrestling Ambrose could have made a major name for himself taking on this position of the man who challenges every Authority role within the WWE. Cutting edge promos that left fans speechless and wondering if he would be able to get away with what he had just said, personal rivalries and moments with the McMahon family and a full-on Mania feud with Triple H would have established Ambrose as a much larger fan favourite than he ever has been and given him the edge he has always needed.

His WWE Championship Reign

When Ambrose won the WWE Championship it was an amazing moment and one that will go down as one of his best moments of his WWE career, however, the run itself was again, disappointing. We had some good matches, decent feuds but nowhere near what it could have been. His rivalry with Styles and Ziggler sticks out the most and it’s a real shame we didn’t get to see more. A longer time as champion, bigger and better storylines and a greater focus on what unique aspects Ambrose brings to the main event scene and what makes him a different kind of WWE champion were failed and missed here.

There is no denying that Dean Ambrose has had a great run with the WWE. He has been a part of some amazing matches, awesome storyline’s and was apart one of the biggest factions in WWE history. However, as a face that could have changed the image of the WWE completely and brought something very unique and entertaining to the table, it’s a real shame the WWE had so many missed opportunities and made so many mistakes. 

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