Whenever people draw comparisons between today's roster and the Attitude Era, they often say that John Cena is a PG version of The Rock, they say that Enzo & Cass are this generation’s New Age Outlaws, The Undertaker is well.....the Undertaker. But one thing they also say is that Dean Ambrose is this era's Stone Cold Steve Austin. And it's hard to argue that.
The two are both chemically unhinged in the mind, they both brawl and they both don't care what people think of them. However, it takes way more than these similarities to be Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Trending
Here are five steps the WWE could take to turn Dean Ambrose into Stone Cold.
New Champs in WWE! More RIGHT HERE
#5 Let him hold up the show
One of the reasons Austin became as popular as he did was because he did things on his own time. He had no regard for the format of the show, and he certainly didn’t care about who was meant to be in the ring at what point. He would hold the show hostage if he had to, just to get one on one time with the boss. We need Ambrose to show a disregard for formalities and take over SmackDown LIVE.
The next time Ambrose gets cheated out of a match, he needs to open the subsequent episode of the blue brand and hold up the entire show till he receives justice. Regardless of how many times the GM tells him to move, the Lunatic fringe shouldn't budge one inch. Sitting on a stool in the ring with a beer in his hand, Ambrose could create awe-inspiring television for a starved WWE universe.
#4 Push him like THE star
It's all well and good being a fresh alternative to the likes of John Cena and Roman Reigns, but Dean Ambrose needs to be pushed on an equal footing with those guys. The WWE must package & present Ambrose as a bonafide star, that's the only way the fans can truly take a liking to him. Once the creative team strapped a rocket to the back of Austin, he took them to levels they never thought imaginable. How can you truly gauge the potential of a wrestler without taking a punt on them?
Also, how can you expect the fans to look at someone starry-eyed if you don't present them as a main event calibre star? As WWE fans we all know there's a certain glass ceiling in the company nobody's allowed to surpass. I want to see Ambrose on every piece of merchandise, every billboard and in the main event of every live event. Seeing as the Roman Reigns train has never entirely taken off, why not give the reins to Dean and see how people react to him.
#3 Make him less PG
I know this generation is defined by the PG branding of their TV programming, but it's time to let the superstars break a few rules. Most of the time during his promos, Ambrose is restricted to using words like 'fudge' and 'sucker' instead of actual curse words; he needs to be let loose in the same way as the likes of Paul Heyman and CM Punk.
Also read: Baron Corbin expected to defeat Dean Ambrose at WrestleMania
The Lunatic Fringe could be the one to cater to that all important 18-34 male demographic. This demographic is bored of the goody two shoe stick and are waiting for edgy content to leave them speechless. The 31-year old is the perfect candidate to bring back the glory days of the WWE. He's not physically fine-tuned or well-spoken, nor is he a representation of a company man. However, he is unique and needs to push the envelope.
#2 Have him rebel against authority
As an eccentric personality, we haven't seen the Lunatic Fringe push the buttons of authority figures enough. Stone Cold's most famous rivalry was against the boss Vince McMahon, the two defined the art of 'going against the grain.' They were the first rage against the machine duo, and now Dean Ambrose needs to take on that role. It should be Dean Ambrose beating up and facing a heel Shane McMahon at Wrestlemania, not AJ Styles.
An ego-centric boss-type figure is needed for the best to be brought out of Dean Ambrose. Legion of fans love Dean Ambrose for his tendency not to follow the script and subsequently go off the rails. However, Ambrose needs to direct this unpredictability at authority figures. He should be the one who questions every decision made by the bosses and then bears the consequences in a way that makes him a hero to the crowd.
#1 Give him a Wrestlemania moment
Remember Wrestlemania 13? Stone Cold vs. Bret 'the Hitman' Hart in a submission match. Bret, who alongside Michaels was the biggest star in the industry, would go over a relatively unknown Stone Cold. However, with that defeat came the rise of the Austin era. As the rattlesnake lay there passed out in a pool of blood, millions around the world would take a liking to him. His repellent attitude started to gain acceptance because he truly was a tough SOB.
What moment has Dean Ambrose had on the grandest stage? Last year, he was simply put away by Brock Lesnar in the most forgettable match of the night. To be the Austin of his generation, Dean needs a defining moment at the Showcase of the Immortals. A moment that cements his legacy and simultaneously elevates the current storytelling of the product.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
