Predictions, Best Rivalries for Dean Ambrose Following Move to WWE Raw

Valuable change awaits Dean Ambrose in his new home on WWE Raw.

After the intercontinental champion moved brands during the recent Superstar Shake-up, he's on the verge of gaining a higher place on the card, undergoing an invigorating metamorphosis and facing a fresh set of foes. Raw will be good to Ambrose.

His Intercontinental Championship reign has been underwhelming. Other SmackDown stars bypassed him on the brand's hierarchy. He wanted momentum during WrestleMania season. 

And there's now a chance for Ambrose to reclaim his lost spark.

Last Monday, Ambrose charged into the red brand. He interrupted The Miz, as the two former SmackDown stars met in their home base after the Superstar Shake-up.  

The Miz can't be Ambrose's next enemy, though.

They only recently collided on SmackDown several times over. The Lunatic Fringe would be better off finding a new place to focus his rage. And in the process of doing so, Ambrose will recharge himself on Raw.

A Replacement for a Beast

Despite being Raw's top champion, Brock Lesnar won't be around much. The Beast Incarnate's part-time schedule will have him miss a number of Monday nights.

His absence during the Superstar Shake-up was a reminder of that.

When Lesnar is elsewhere, Raw will need to fill a void. That's great news for Ambrose. As intercontinental champion, he is bound to frequently step into the big man's vacant spot.

We've already seen a glimpse of that with Ambrose headlining last week's Raw against Kevin Owens.

Ambrose will be a higher priority as a result, and the IC title is bound to get a lot of the spotlight. That will be a welcome change after sliding into the background in his final days on SmackDown.

Look for The Lunatic Fringe to be a major figure on the red brand in the coming months.

A Shift in Attitude 

Ambrose is due for a transformation.

He has been a babyface for his entire solo run. Beyond that, he hasn't experienced much character growth in that span. Seth Rollins, meanwhile, has evolved from slimy corporate mercenary to righteous slayer of tyrants. 

Ambrose remains the same nutty, unhinged street fighter he has been for a long while.  

Credit: WWE.com

If not a full heel turn, the IC champ is poised to adjust his character. As Will Pruett of ProWrestling.net wrote: "Raw gives Dean an opportunity to change and he needs it after a less than stellar eight months on Smackdown."

Necessity may drive that shift.

There aren't a ton of viable heel rivals waiting for him. And a roster that houses a number of midcard acts like Curt Hawkins, Elias Samson and Bo Dallas could certainly use a bigger-name villain to balance things out.

Monster vs. Madman

Braun Strowman would make quite the intriguing opponent for Ambrose.

For one, the narrative catalyst is already there. The Monster Among Men is fresh off devastating Ambrose's former stablemate, Roman Reigns. The IC champ has to seek revenge for what the powerhouse did to his friend.

Ambrose would thrive in battles with Strowman, as well.

The Lunatic Fringe would be fun to watch as the crash test dummy flailing around against the beast. He can be gutsy, fearless and an underdog facing insurmountable odds much like he was during his feud with Lesnar.

We saw a glimpse of that dynamic in 2016 when Ambrose took on Strowman en route to WrestleMania 32.

This would be a good part of the card to send Strowman should he fail to dethrone Lesnar in the coming weeks. As for Ambrose, it would set up a most daunting challenge, one sure to reveal more of his character or inspire a change in who he is.

Clashing with The Demon King

Finn Balor is a dream rival for just about anyone.

Once Balor is done tangling with Bray Wyatt, a feud wth Ambrose is a smart move. Those two are sure to have excellent matches.

The bigger appeal would be their intriguing juxtaposition of characters, though. Giving Ambrose free reign to mock Balor's demon gimmick and to talk about his own inner darkness is entertainment waiting to happen.

Should Ambrose turn heel, Balor is among the best babyface options for him to face.

Balor is a red-hot star on the rise. Ambushing and insulting him is an easy path to heel heat.

The Lunatic Fringe vs. The Demon King is a fresh matchup, too, something Raw should shoot for to inject life into the brand following the Superstar Shake-up. Ambrose can recapture a wealth of momentum with the right story and the right foil. The IC champ unraveling during his battles with Balor certainly fits that bill.