hero-image

Possibilities if WWE wanted to create a new version of the Shield

With one of the main members now gone, will WWE try to recreate one of its most popular factions?
With one of the main members now gone, will WWE try to recreate one of its most popular factions?

It's safe to say that the Shield was one of the best factions in WWE history. Since the original lineup didn't have much interaction while in NXT, it made things more shocking when they made their debut to assist CM Punk back at Survivor Series in 2012. For that reason, not only should any new options come from NXT but they would also need to be as diverse as the original group.

Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins were well-known names on the independent scene prior to signing with WWE. Ambrose was known for his hardcore act and great promos whereas Rollins was one of the best pure wrestlers in the non-WWE world. He won the Ring of Honor World Title before moving on to WWE and NXT.

Roman Reigns was the lone member of the group with no experience in pro wrestling other than the fact that his father was a former wrestler. That fact, however, combined with his body type and look was something that made management handpick Reigns to be a future star on the main roster.

The idea was that since he was the greenest of the group, he could quietly learn from Rollins and Ambrose while coming into his own. He was known as the powerhouse of the group and is the lone member who has retained aspects of the group's presentation. He still comes out to a variation of their theme song and he still wears the all black outfit complete with flak jacket.

For this piece, I'll suggest five current NXT stars that would fit into a possible recreation of the group for various reasons. I'm not saying that the group should have five members but am just suggesting different wrestlers for different reasons. The three best options will be brought together on the final slide where I'll also list a few more options that were also considered.


#5 Shane Thorne

The former member of TM-61 has recently returned to NXT to lash out at Breakout Tournament performers.
The former member of TM-61 has recently returned to NXT to lash out at Breakout Tournament performers.

The last two to three years have been strange for Shane Thorne. Primarily known to NXT crowds as a tag team specialist, an injury not only put him on the sidelines but also forced the team to go through a soft reboot.

TM-61 returned to action as cocky heels but it was short-lived as Nick Miller left the company to be closer to his home in Australia. Thorne was left to rebrand himself again but he kept the arrogant attitude. He was certainly the Shawn Michaels of TM-61.

He recently returned to insult all of the participants in the Breakout Tournament as if we had forgotten about him. Seth Rollins was the daredevil and high flyer of the group and Thorne has proven to be a daredevil in his own right. For someone who has been in NXT as long as he has, he may need a drastic or big change to truly kick off his own run.

You may also like