Serious Problems for Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins

The faction known as The Shield ruled WWE from late 2012 to mid-2014. Now singles stars, the three former members: Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns, all walk separate paths. But none have found the level of success that they enjoyed while together. Yet, all three remain eminently talented and have the potential to be tentpole stars in their own rights.

Let's examine each of their primary issues and address how they can be repaired in 2015.

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Seth Rollins' Major Malfunction: UTTERLY UNLIKABLE

Everyone hates Seth Rollins, and rightly so. Character issues abound for this CrossFit enthusiast. He betrayed his Shield brothers for personal gain, totes a private security force with him, back-doored his way into the Money in the Bank contract, weaseled his way into the main event at Royal Rumble, and has generally been a slimy person for the past year.

But there is still hope!

When not preoccupied with being a profound putz, Seth Rollins is a remarkable operator inside the ring. With his profound technical base, a bottomless gas tank, and a daredevil streak that is more prominent than his blond one, he has all the makings for the type of athlete that the WWE Universe can learn to love.

We can't change the content of a man's character, but we might be able to make him more palatable for the viewing public. Recent studies have shown that a person's likability is influenced greatly by the overall look of their face. Therefore a visit to the plastic surgeon may be in Rollins' future, but for now...

Seth Rollins' Missing Ingredient: A HAIRCUT

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Dean Ambrose's Major Malfunction: NOT A WRESTLER

I'm convinced that Dean Ambrose is a good wrestler, but you wouldn't know it from his recent athletic performance. He's developed into a punch and kick man of the first order. While there is certainly a time and place for that, brawling can only take you so far. Dean needs to either utilize or learn a more diverse set of wrestling holds and throws. That way, even if brawling is his true calling, his basic strikes and mayhem will be more effective when augmented by some legitimate technical acumen. Simply put, the best thing for Ambrose is to become a no-nonsense grappler.

While we're at it, Ted DiBiase Jr. has left the WWE and Dean looks good in black. Why not make this change official and, with "Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase's blessing, dub Ambrose as the New Ringmaster. People are constantly trying to fashion Ambrose into the second coming of Stone Cold Steve Austin. Let's begin the transformation properly.

With the right structure, guidance, and financial backing, Ambrose could be stunning fools and walking mudholes dry in no time!

Dean Ambrose's Missing Ingredient: THE MILLION DOLLAR CHAMPIONSHIP

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Roman Reigns' Major Malfunction: LACK OF POPULARITY BELIES IN-RING SUCCESS

Roman Reigns isn't connecting with the fans. But the master of the Superman Punch does nothing but win matches. He topped a living legend in Randy Orton at SummerSlam and he bested the likes of Rusev, Bray Wyatt, and Diamond Dallas Page in the Royal Rumble match. So what's the disconnect here?

Rick Rude once correctly defined professional wrestling as "an upper body business." He's as wise as he is Ravishing. Torso development is an important virtue for any wrestler. That's not to say that it's a necessary condition for a successful career. Yokozuna is one of the most dominant WWE Champions in history, Natural Disasters ruled the early 90's tag team ranks, and Dusty freakin' Rhodes was Champion of the World many times over.

Yet, it is rare for a wrestler to have prominent and obvious abdominal development and not show it. There's a reason that Dolph Ziggler wears short shorts while Undertaker pairs his MMA gloves with a full body tunic-noir. That reason is Dolph doesn't have otherworldly demonic powers and thus, works his core like there's no tomorrow.

Roman Reigns failure to achieve mainstream adulation isn't necessarily because he wears a tactical vest, but it could be. All I'm saying is, if you've got a washboard hiding out under that flak jacket, share it with the world man! The fans want to see it.

On the other hand, if the vest is actually from the new bulletproof line of SPANX, then I don't know... start picking up some stunt double work. It's working for Damien Sandow.

Roman Reign's Missing Ingredient: A BARE MIDRIFF

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OFFICIAL WRESTLER WRANKINGS FORMULA

ANY WIN = 2 POINTS

US OR INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE BOUT = 1 POINT

WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE BOUT = 3 POINTS

NON "BIG 4" PPV BONUS = 1.5X

SUMMERSLAM, SURVIVOR SERIES, ROYAL RUMBLE = 2X BONUS

WRESTLEMANIA = 3X BONUS

The WWE season begins on the day after WrestleMania 30 and culminates with WrestleMania 31. The wrestler who accumulates the most points over the course of the season, wins the coveted Wrankings Championship!

Monday Night Raw -- 2/2/15

Cesaro - 2 points (win)

Bray Wyatt - 2 points (win)

Ryback - 2 point (win)

Daniel Bryan - 2 points (win)

Big Show - 2 point (win)

Erick Rowan - 2 points (win)

Sin Cara - 2 point (win)

Main Event-- 2/3/15

Bad News Barrett - 2 points (win)

Smackdown -- 2/5/15

Rusev - 2 points (win)

Roman Reigns - 2 points (win)

Dean Ambrose - 2 point (win)

Daniel Bryan - 2 points (win)

Fandango - 2 point (win)

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WRESTLER WRANKINGS, WEEK 45 *TOP TEN*

1. RUSEV -- 109 points

2. Dolph Ziggler -- 85

3. Seth Rollins -- 80

4. John Cena -- 67.5

5. Sheamus -- 65

6. Cesaro -- 60

7. Roman Reigns -- 59

8. Bo Dallas -- 50.5

9. Dean Ambrose -- 49

10. Bad News Barrett -- 47

Thanks for reading, Cagesiders. We'll see you back here next week!