Cup of coffee in the big time: Dean Ambrose leaving WWE would be for the best

I’ve never been a big Dean Ambrose fan. Come to think of it, I wasn’t much of a fan of Jon Moxley either.

Even so, I’ve certainly gotten excited about the prospect of Shield reunions. Even not being a fan of Ambrose, The Shield was undeniably cool the first time around.

But every Shield reunion has fizzled, in part because of the writing and in part because the individuals had become bigger than the whole. And that meant it was more a group of friends than a dominant faction.

So, if there’s one positive in Ambrose’s departure from WWE — assuming it’s not all an elaborate work — it’s the end of those disappointing reunions.

Really, it’s the end of a lot of disappointments over the past several years.

Years of fizzled feuds with Seth Rollins, 27 minutes of misery in the Asylum match with Chris Jericho, that miserable street fight with Brock Lesnar.

Feelings about Ambrose aside, there’s been a sense for a few years that WWE might not be the place for him to do his best work.

Getting shots in the ass on weekly TV might not be the best role for a guy who can legitimately play the maniac role.

So here’s to Ambrose choosing the more interesting path.

There’s no guarantee the art will be any better in the end, but at least the intent is there.

(You know, again, if this isn’t all a big work.)

• Check out the recap and reactions for last night’s edition of NXT.
• Sermon on the Mat time! Check out all the indie news you need to know.
• Vote in our poll to see if Charlotte Flair should be added to Becky Lynch vs. Ronda Rousey.
• Becky Lynch with the strong birthday Twitter game.
• Some people backstage still think Ambrose leaving WWE is a work.
• No post-Rumble ratings jump for Smackdown Live.
• Hideo Itami’s departure from WWE is bringing out the tributes.
• How WWE can keep botching Asuka after they get it right is beyond me.

Well, another week so very close to done.