Analyzing Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose's Place on Current WWE Roster

Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose are headed for a major confrontation on October 26 at WWE's Hell in a Cell event.  Their rivalry stems from Rollins' betrayal of both Ambrose and Roman Reigns back on June 2, and that night sparked a war that is still happening four months after the fact.

The truth is that this match could have untold ramifications on the careers of both men, and no one knows what those ramifications will be until that final bell rings.  But there's an important question that must be asked, and it's this: Where does each man stand right now before the epic confrontation on October 26?

Fans are anticipating a potentially career-changing match at Hell in a Cell.  Some will consider that an overstatement, but the truth is that the buildup for this has been brewing for quite a while now.  The two Superstars are surely waiting for their time to shine.

After all, it's about putting on a show, and they are both ready to do just that.

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Rollins has become the focal point of The Authority, the centerpiece of their efforts over the past few months. As a payment for betraying The Shield, Rollins was given the opportunity to evolve as a singles competitor. He was also given a chance at Money in the Bank, which he won with a helping hand from his new associates.

Rollins is hyped by The Authority as the future of WWE, the man who will headline a roster of Superstars who will supposedly try to keep up in his shadow.  He has the skills to make that gimmick believable.  He is a very solid hand in the ring and seemingly has what it takes to succeed on a high level.

And the fact is that WWE has backed up the hype.  Rollins is a featured performer in the company now, and working next to Triple H in The Authority has helped him immensely. But while he is touted as a future main event top guy, the truth is that he may not be as far along as his Hell in a Cell opponent is.

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The question is why?  Why is Ambrose viewed by many fans as bigger and capable of so much more than Rollins?  After all, Rollins is directly under The Game in The Authority, and Ambrose is fighting to gain a foothold on a roster in which he's not even wanted in the first place.  In storyline terms, there is every reason to believe that Rollins will make it to the top first.

Rollins is Mr. Money in the Bank, which means he can cash in for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship whenever he wants.  Combine that with the fact that Ambrose has so much working against him, and it does appear that The Lunatic Fringe has no chance of reaching the mountaintop in WWE anytime soon.

Of course, that is all storyline.  What is the truth?

The truth for many of the WWE faithful is that Ambrose just has "it."  He has that one intangible, that certain something that keeps him far above anyone who would dare challenge him.  When fans look at him, they see the future.  They see a man who has a ton of charisma and an insane amount of intensity, someone who is able to reach through the TV screen and captivate them with every word he speaks.

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Ambrose's supporters back him as the next big thing, the man who can truly carry the company forward. Does Rollins really have that same buzz on him?

The X-factor in the comparison of Ambrose and Rollins is the fact that Rollins has the guaranteed title shot in his possession.  From this point to July 29 of 2015, Rollins has the opportunity to cash in and become the new WWE world heavyweight champion.

That perhaps puts him a step above in terms of his overall place in the company.  He is seen by fans as a guy just on the verge of winning the gold, while Ambrose could seemingly not be farther from it.  

In the final analysis, however, the only point that really matters is what the fans think.  Spotlighting Rollins as the next top guy will ultimately only work if the crowd buys in.  If fans do not believe in him as that main event player, then he will not succeed whether he is a heel or a babyface.

By the same token, the crowd seems fully behind Ambrose right now, and he has never been hotter in the company.  But what if he were to lose at Hell in a Cell and then go on to lose the rivalry against Rollins?  Will he continue to have the support from fans?  Will it begin to fade?  They believe in him now, but will that always be the case?

As with any other Superstar that has ever come into WWE, both Rollins and Ambrose's fate rest in the hands of the paying audience.  The company can place either man wherever it wants, but the crowd has to be on board, or it will not work for either one of them.

Right now, each man is important, and each man has his own specific role to play.  The issue of how those roles could be affected by their upcoming Hell in a Cell match will truly not be seen until the final bell rings on October 26.