Dean Ambrose's Emergence Adds Intriguing Wrinkle to WWE Fastlane 2016 Main Event

Dean Ambrose's ever-crackling energy is quickening the pulse of the WWE Fastlane 2016 main event.

Too much focus on Roman Reigns and a predictable outcome threatened to hamper the Triple Threat match to decide who faces Triple H at WrestleMania. This story could have easily become a vehicle to boost Reigns, forcing Ambrose to be a filler body in the background.

The Lunatic Fringe, though, has forced the spotlight to point toward him.

In the early build to Fastlane, Ambrose has been an enthralling figure. WWE has done well to highlight the intercontinental champion, clearing the stage for him to be his captivating, eccentric self. More and more, he feels like a legitimate threat to steal an upset win at the pay-per-view. 

Being the one to pin the tag teams champs on Monday night furthered that.

Credit: WWE.com

Even so, the audience fully expects Reigns to win at Fastlane.

Reigns snatching back his title from the man who conspired to take it from him is the obvious matchup. And WWE has made no secret that it believes The Big Dog to be top-tier worthy. Reigns has long been the focal point of Raw each week.

WWE's job is to instill doubt come Fastlane. Even if Reigns does come out on top, the company has to create suspense leading up to that moment. And playing up Ambrose's chances is a smart way to do that.

On Monday's Raw, Reigns wasn't even in the opening segment.

Instead, Ambrose interrupted Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar, sauntering right into The Beast Incarnate's lair. A fearless Ambrose stood nose-to-nose with the powerhouse. He challenged Lesnar to take him to Suplex City at Fastlane. 

He welcomed the beating that was coming his way. Nothing would stop him from winning the world championship.

"I will drag my broken body to WrestleMania, and I will take that title away from Triple H," he yelled.

WWE so often talks about how crazy Ambrose is, but doesn't actually show it. This was actual insanity. Ambrose came off as a masochist, a daredevil refusing a helmet, a man sticking his head inside a lion's mouth while smiling.

Suddenly, the prospect of a one-on-one feud between these two looked mighty promising. Suddenly, Reigns vs. Lesnar vs. Ambrose now boasts more life.

As Tony Donofrio of Pro Wrestling Torch pointed out, Ambrose thrived in this spot:

And WWE did well to create a significant spot in the upcoming No. 1 contender's bout for The Lunatic Fringe. Ambrose will willingly be the crash test dummy in the car crash of a match. He will be the courageous dark horse galloping into danger.

Kevin Berge of Questionable Critics noted how well the segment from Monday's Raw positioned Ambrose:

Portraying Ambrose as the guy who takes a beating and keeps pulling himself up allows him to stay strong even when he gets bowled over. Raw ended with Lesnar pouncing on him, hoisting him up on his shoulders and delivering a statement-making F-5.

That doesn't necessarily hurt Ambrose's momentum, though. 

He's not the wrecking ball of the roster. He's not the overwhelming destructive force that Lesnar is. Instead, Ambrose is the cockroach who survives a nuclear war.

WWE has to keep showing him rise to make this work. It has to aim the camera at him as he guts it out with a battered body as he did at the Royal Rumble.

Ambrose outlasted Kevin Owens in a Last Man Standing match to open the pay-per-view. He then managed to keep upright as he battled in the Rumble itself. Ambrose lasted until there were just two competitors left.

Credit: WWE.com

Him slugging it out with Triple H, coming just inches away from the ultimate triumph, is something WWE needs to show more of ahead of Fastlane.

That's the key to making Ambrose a believable threat.

He already has the entertaining part of the equation down. Whether he is goofing around with Reigns on "The Highlight Reel" or ranting in an interview with Michael Cole, Ambrose has been especially compelling of late.

When he told Cole, "I'm one of the best in this game. I'm one of the best, period," it wasn't just hyperbole. That's a reality.

The ebullient energy he showed off in this sit-down interview provided further proof of how fun having Ambrose on top would be. WWE may view him as a transitional main eventer, but he keeps showing that he belongs on the marquee for good. As Philly.com's Vaughn Johnson tweeted, "Ambrose just has the feel of a star."

Crowning him the top guy may not be in WWE's plans for now, but The Lunatic Fringe is poised to make the road to Fastlane a more enthralling one.