AEW in Austin, TX - 2.12.20

[xrodmuc316]

Originally Posted by Emperor Smeat Yeah if I remember, the general feeling was Moxley was the more complete package, Rollins was the better in-ring wrestler, and Reigns was the wild card but had the ideal look Vince wanted. Also think the general feeling was in terms of big pushes or focus, it would have gone something like Moxley/Ambrose first, then Reigns, and then Rollins last but not until years later like Jeff Hardy. Think Triple H was the one who pushed for Rollins to get fast tracked to big stardom at the expense of Ambrose in the end.

To be honest, it's why I enjoyed the Shield. They came in before NXT was known, so even though Rollins was NXT Champion, WWE never brought that up.

Ambrose felt like the leader at first, he was the one who was the solo champ. Then it switched to where Reigns started getting booked as the leader in that he was having the big moments like being sole survivor and killing it in the Royal Rumble.

Then they teased Rollins being pissed at both Ambrose and Reigns and threatening to leave the Shield of they didn't get on the same page, and he was portrayed as the leader holding it all together and shining in the feud with Evolution.

They even dropped subtle hints that Ambrose was going to turn, which made Rollins turning that much better.

Rollins then had a great heel run, but this is where WWE screwed up both Reigns and Ambrose with illogical booking and forcing what both into weird versions of their characters.

But the Shield was enjoyable because all 3 felt like the star/leader at different times, it was after that they got it wrong with Reigns and Ambrose.