Predicting How Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins Will Carry Feud Without Roman Reigns

To tell the story of Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns without The Big Dog, WWE will reposition and intensify its spotlight. 

What was supposed to be a battle of the men who once made up The Shield will instead focus on the enmity between Ambrose and Rollins, with WWE leaning on the rivals' surplus of bad blood. Expect their contentious past, clear contrasting roles and a measured pace to form the backbone of the build to their clash at the Battleground pay-per-view.

The road to the Triple Threat match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship is suddenly missing a titan.

"

JUST ANNOUNCED! Former Shield members Ambrose vs. Reigns vs. Rollins at @WWE Battleground for the WWE Championship.https://t.co/SCoXn88h7k

— Joey Styles (@JoeyStyles) June 21, 2016"

WWE announced last week that Reigns failed the company's wellness policy, leading to a 30-day suspension. The policy covers both illegal and performance-enhancing drugs. WWE hasn't specified what substance Reigns took to warrant the suspension.

From a booking standpoint for Battleground's main event, though, the result is the same regardless: Reigns isn't available beforehand, so Rollins and Ambrose must carry the load.

Reigns will be back in time for the match itself. Battleground isn't until July 24. Until then, The Lunatic Fringe and The Architect will be at the center of this story. 

That is sure to make fans flash back to 2014.

A Reprise of a Rivalry

WWE isn't going to include Reigns' suspension as part of the narrative. In fact, the company may simply look to ignore his existence until he returns.

When Rollins appeared on last week's SmackDown, he aimed his anger at Ambrose. He issued an open challenge to prove his superiority to the current WWE champ. Reigns was less than an afterthought.

Andrew M Shift of Cageside Seats (warning: brief NSFW language) wrote, "It should be noted that Roman Reigns' name was said as few times as possible on the night."

Count on that continuing. Rather than come up with an innovative way to approach this situation, WWE will treat the rivalry as simply a continuation of the past.

In 2014, Rollins took a steel chair to the backs of his brothers-in-arms. While Reigns focused on the world title, Ambrose sought revenge. The Lunatic Fringe's pursuit of Rollins became one of WWE's most compelling angles for months.

Expect WWE to tap back into that, using vignettes to remind fans just how much these men hated each other. 

In that way, Rollins and Ambrose will power this feud by way of the past. Images of them brawling in the parking lot, Ambrose bursting out of an oversized present and the two men falling off the side of the Hell in a Cell will pop up often.

Sharper Fangs

Any ambiguity about Rollins' character is about to be erased.

While The Architect insulted fans and continued his underhanded tactics when he returned last month from a severe knee injury, WWE didn't go full-tilt in presenting him as a villain. On Raw and in a WWE Network documentary, the company aired clips of his recovery process that painted him as sympathetic.

Perhaps a double turn was on the way, with Rollins becoming a babyface as Reigns went heel. That plan will be tossed aside, as this feud now needs a clear hero and foil. 

Expect the dynamic between them to be more black-and-white. To sell Ambrose as the champion we should cheer for, Rollins will grow more vicious, more clearly a predator with little heart.

Rollins will trade in his current rhetoric of proving himself for something harder to relate to. Look for him to ambush Ambrose, to cheat, lie and cackle like a cartoon villain. 

WWE knows full well that Rollins can flourish in that role. And audiences have loudly supported Ambrose.

The company will build this story on the foundation of the juxtaposition between their characters. Hate for Rollins and pathos for Ambrose will be key moving forward.

As for Reigns, a heel turn awaits him. He was already receiving boos as a babyface. Add a suspension that hurts his image, and it will be extremely hard to sell him as a fan favorite when he gets back.

Doug Mortman of Busted Open radio doesn't believe Reigns is returning as a hero:

It's hard to argue with that. WWE can't keep going against the grain. Reigns as babyface isn't working right now and won't post-suspension, either.

Slowly Doling Out the Chaos

We have seen Rollins and Ambrose go at each other with their feet on the gas pedal before. Their 2014 rivalry was a raging fire. WWE will take its time in reaching that level of intensity again.

Battleground is still four weeks away. And with no Reigns to diversify the narrative, expect WWE to hold off on delivering the goods on Rollins and Ambrose.

The rivals will stare each other down, make threats and tighten their fists, but havoc won't break out until just before the PPV arrives.

Fans saw a glimpse of that approach last Thursday. Ambrose and Rollins fought at the close of SmackDown, but only briefly. Rollins slipped out of the ring soon after the short skirmish began:

That will be the norm in the weeks ahead. Rollins will ambush Ambrose and The Lunatic Fringe will swing a steel chair at his enemy's head, but the in-the-stands brawls will have to wait.

WWE wants to tease the audience and draw out this feud. Anticipation will be the company's attempted antidote to Reigns' missing the party. 

It will be up to Ambrose and Rollins to hold fans' attention with words and emotion rather than in-ring action. It won't be until Reigns re-enters the tale that WWE will let this rivalry fully explode.