WWE Roadblock 2016: Date, Start Time, Updated Match Card and Predictions

Dean Ambrose's quest to rip the world title from Triple H's hands will headline WWE Roadblock 2016. On the latest WWE Network special, Ambrose will get a crack at The Game before his brother-in-arms does at The Show of Shows.

The action begins at 8 p.m. ET on March 12. Toronto's Ricoh Coliseum will host the WrestleMania precursor.

The marquee match is one many fans would have preferred to headline The Showcase of the Immortals. With questions about Roman Reigns' popularity still lingering, will WWE use Ambrose vs. Triple H as a means to rearrange WrestleMania?

That is the key question ahead of Roadblock.

Ambrose vs. Triple H is the only bout officially listed thus far. However, the Ricoh Coliseum website (h/t Wrestle Zone) is advertising more of the card, and F4WOnline (h/t Wrestling Inc) reported that a rumored Brock Lesnar matchup is indeed on. 

The host site is also advertising a Chris Jericho Highlight Reel segment, AJ Styles' Toronto debut and appearances from The New Day, The Miz, The Usos, Brie Bella and Paige. 

Match Card

• Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus
• Brock Lesnar vs. Luke Harper
• Dean Ambrose vs. Triple H (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)

Quick Predictions

• Reigns over Sheamus
• Lesnar over Harper
• Triple H retains

Sheamus Serves as a Warm-Up

Familiar foes will meet once more. That is, unless Reigns' recent nasal surgery keeps him out of action.

The amount of history between Sheamus and Reigns is plentiful. Sheamus was the obstacle Reigns had to overcome to become WWE champ last year. The Celtic Warrior and his crew have since been The Authority's attack dogs, sinking their teeth into Reigns.

Credit: WWE.com

There is little spark surrounding this rivalry, though. Sheamus and Reigns have never really clicked.

Expect this to be a forgettable showdown that WWE uses as a way to give Reigns momentum ahead of WrestleMania. If The Big Dog is indeed headed for the main event of the biggest show of the year, he's going to need a number of signature wins along the way to create the most buzz.

This will be one of them.

The Beast Incarnate Feasts

Lesnar vs. Harper would have taken on a whole new meaning had the former's feud with The Wyatt Family actually developed. Bray Wyatt, Harper and the rest of the backwoods faction surrounded and overpowered Lesnar at the Royal Rumble.

A feud with Ambrose has distracted Lesnar from seeking revenge on Wyatt and Company. He now has a shot to get a measure of payback in Toronto. 

As dominantly as WWE has booked Lesnar over the past few years, it's easy to bet on him winning here. That's especially true considering that there is nothing on the table WrestleMania-wise for Harper, while Lesnar is prepping for a No Holds Barred match with The Lunatic Fringe.

JP Yim/Getty Images

Count on Lesnar showing off his power here, clubbing Harper into the mat and taking out a few other Wyatt Family members while he's at it.

The Wyatt Family so often play other folks' stepping stones. And after getting cheated out of a victory at Fastlane, Lesnar needs one to charge toward WrestleMania.

The Game Retains

Ambrose fans are going to get their hopes up again, just as they did in the closing moments of the Royal Rumble and at Fastlane. All signs point to Triple H colliding with Reigns, leading to a climax that has been in the works for months.

WWE will stick to its guns here.

Ambrose is liable to get a major push post-WrestleMania, but the company clearly wants to crown Reigns. It has made him the central figure of its programming for a long time now. All that will end when WWE pictures what a sustained Reigns title run looks like.

It's easy to start envisioning other appealing scenarios, though.

PWInsider's Dave Scherer wrote, "They could always flip the title and make Brock vs. Dean for the belt and Triple H vs. Roman for revenge." That way Ambrose and Lesnar could main event, and WWE wouldn't have to worry about backlash from a resistant fanbase.

Bleacher Report's Dan Pecoraro discussed the possibility of an Ambrose win at Roadblock leading to a Fatal 4-Way at WrestleMania:

That's all wishful thinking. Triple H is simply going to get a title defense in before his bout with Reigns, a tune-up before the marquee matchup that WWE has been building toward.

Lesnar, meanwhile, will use this chance to pay back Ambrose. The Lunatic Fringe cost Lesnar a shot at gold at Fastlane by breaking up a Kimura lock with a series of chair shots.

Now it's Lesnar's turn to crush Ambrose's championship dreams.