The Shield Will Prove Themselves as Main Event Babyfaces at Extreme Rules

At Extreme Rules on May 4, expect Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns to solidify their status in the company and establish themselves as WWE’s next big babyface act.

The trio—set to face off for the first time against the newly reformed Evolution at the pay-per-view—is already on a roll on WWE television.

As staunchly anti-authority babyfaces, The Shield are taking the fight to Triple H and his corrupt corporate regime week in and week out—and the fans are getting behind them big-time for it.

Credit: WWE.com

They’ve also developed hugely as personalities. Okay, so Ambrose always had a ton of charisma and presence, but we're startling to see how much Rollins and Reigns have grown exponentially as performers over the last two months.

One thing is for sure: No one will ever dismiss those two as talkers ever again.

Their act is refreshing too.

Whenever The Shield improvise, joke around with each other or affectionately mock interviewer Renee Young, they come off as calm, relaxed and effortlessly cool. Indeed, it wouldn’t be hyperbole to compare the three to DX or Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson during the Attitude Era in the 1990s.

Credit: WWE.com

For all their talent, neither John Cena nor Daniel Bryan has the same appeal to young male fans. Their acts tend to be aimed more at kids.

While The Shield can undoubtedly appeal to children, they are still very much a grown-up act. Young guys in the 20s and 30s can relate to them, be entertained and get behind them in a big way.

It’s been suggested in recent years that some adults have been alienated by the PG Era and WWE’s watered-down product.

Assuming this is true, could The Shield help bring these fans back?

Amazingly, they seem to be natural faces. It may be a surprise WWE didn’t turn them sooner.

No wonder Triple H made the call to reform Evolution. He needs all the help he can get to deal with these three.

Of course, in order to continue their ascension to the top, The Shield will absolutely have to emerge triumphant from the Izod Center when they take on Triple H, Randy Orton and Batista.

Credit: WWE.com

It makes sense. If there is truth to PWInsider.com's report that Batista is taking time off after the pay-per-view, the Evolution comeback won’t last much longer.

Why give the pay-per-view victory to an act that will disband soon anyway?

Besides, for Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns to fail their first major test as babyfaces would be nothing short of a disaster. The idea that they can’t get the job done would damage their stock in the company greatly.

WWE’s booking hasn’t always been perfect, but even the writers have to understand this.