Oh boy. So we got another Dean centric RAW last night and I cannot believe WWE is finally treating Dean like a royalty that he really is. For the first time I feel like they are giving him a proper storyline and actually trying to capitalize on the absolute unique talent/gift they have in someone like Ambrose. Dean is such a good performer, such a natural. There are very few in the business who can perform as naturally as he can. Also, from where he was never really taken seriously ever before to the extent to which they always consider Roman/Seth to be, its an absolute relief that for the first time they are pushing Dean as someone who’s special/admired/respected. Who is not someone to be looked over and not taken seriously. Who is on the same level as Roman/Seth. There is a huge change in the way WWE’s been building him since his return. Its easily noticeable.
I know we are all worried bout Dean ‘betraying’ the Shield and turning heel. But I think we all missed something very important. I did not expect WWE to actually be this good with Dean’s booking since they never want to invest in him. But you have to give WWE credit here.
This whole episode was Dean telling the universe how he is expected to act a certain way, but he’s not going to. He was out there giving mixed signals. But if you really look at it, you would notice how Dean’s basically putting it out there how he’s got a certain option out there and anyone else would be taking it up the way this business works but he did not and he’s trying to make Roman/Seth realize that. He’s trying to show them without words how he’s always putting his family over titles/glory. How as much as he wants to say fuck you to Roman/Seth, he’s not being able to cuz family is everything to him. Shield is the only sense of family he ever had. Seth took it away from him cuz titles/glory was more important. Dean’s going through a mental turmoil. He’s too proud to let Roman/Seth know he’s hurt by their (mainly Seth’s) actions. He felt betrayed, he felt replaced, he felt not loved when he was out. All these frustrations, him looking like a ticking bomb, him dropping down hints that he’s not naive, playing mind games with Roman/Seth…Its a cry for help. He’s trying to express how much he’s hurting/not okay and Roman/Seth have done a shitty job in comforting him/making him feel loved/assuring him he’s loved/special. He’s rubbing it in Roman/Seth’s faces, ‘see? you only see me when you wanna see me. When you are all I see.’ Dean has constantly talked bout titles aren’t the validation he needs. But he sees his brothers thriving on chasing/acquiring championships, everyone pointing out how it makes them superior/better than Dean. So he shows them he can be hungry for glory too. But he’s choosing not to cuz family is more important to him.
Love hurts. Caring for someone hurts. Loyalty fucks you up. But these are morals Dean has built his legacy on. He’s out there telling ya all he’s fucking hurting cuz he’s the heart of the Shield. He’s trying to scream without really using his voice and get Roman/Seth to see how loving them has put him through so much anguish. How everyone’s trying to manipulate him, and he’s not an idiot. He wants Roman/Seth to know he ain’t naive. He sees everything, he feels everything, but he’s making a choice that might destroy his heart, and he wants Roman/Seth to SEE that. To notice that. To acknowledge that.
Here’s comes the best part. IF Roman/Seth fail to give Dean the comfort he is seeking right now, Dean’s gonna leave them. Its not gonna be a betrayal. Its not gonna be a heel turn. Its gonna be character development at its best. Storytelling at its peak. A guy fought through everything and everyone, kept loving where his heart was at. But in the end Roman/Seth’s hunger for glory over family made Dean snap and he decided to show them he can chase glory and put it above everything too.
Point to be noted, Roman/Seth, specially Roman has ALWAYS put family/Dean first. Always. He never failed Dean. But he’s more of a pride kind of guy. He’s so possessive/protective of his status as an Alpha Male. That might be the key to Dean’s problem with Roman. Cuz nothing else make sense for Dean to be angry at Roman. Roman costed him a match when he could have simply distracted Braun. His pride got the best of him. Dean was visibly pissed. Like an independent wife who’s husband would get involve in her business cuz he’s too proud, you know? Lmao, I know. My examples can be quite out there 😂
Now despite all of those good things, there is this big ass plot hole. Roman/Seth, who both thrive on being defending champs, wouldn’t they be putting their titles on the line to erase Dean’s worries/insecurities? They love giving out opportunities left and right, you think they cannot handle Dean? Who they have both defeated one on one in the past? Roman KNOWS they can handle fighting over the titles without hurting their brotherhood. Seth looking kinda betrayed and shocked, then Roman looking kinda hurt/confused…it made ZERO sense. Its not like Dean’s stabbing them in the back. Its not like Dean’s playing dirty. Its Dean’s right to fight for any title and Roman/Seth having top titles doesn’t mean Dean can’t fight his brothers without some kind of betrayal being implied. That was extremely stupid in my opinion.
So here’s the thing. I do not think they are gonna make Dean turn on Roman/Seth. And if they do, I assume it will be Seth. Even if Dean turns, its just gonna be matter of him snapping. No one’s understanding him right now. Making him feel secure/safe. Telling him what he needs to hear. He’s fighting a battle on his own. Whereas he needs his brothers telling him they’ll love him no matter what, they are out there telling him he’s needed for a show. Dean has every right to be pissed, and feel like he can be better on his own. Dean saying he could have gone to SD but didn’t was a clear example of him expressing how glory is not his priority. But Roman/Seth probably don’t feel the same and that would be the cause of problem for Dean. Not titles, not glory, but Roman/Seth having different goals/priorities than him and him getting sick of being a sensitive emotional mess which only causes his heart to hurt.
Also, Roman looked visibly upset. It was understandable considering he hasn’t done anything wrong. Maybe unintentionally he has given the World title more importance, but he defended Dean’s honor and was there for him no matter what. He knows he has never put glory/titles over Dean. Him getting mad and wanting to lay down some ass kicking was cute considering he was deeply angry at the shitshow that was ‘fuck up with Deano’s mind’ on everyone’s to do list. He was out there wanting to beat someone up cuz he’s so done with them messing with his baby boy’s psyche. He knows Dean can be vulnerable/insecure/crazy, he doesn’t blame Dean. But he’s confused, frustrated and want this bullshit to end. He genuinely thinks they are far too above this bullshit at this stage of their careers.
Seth, Oh Seth. The story and contrast between Seth/Roman is so amazing here. Seth instantly went all soft eyes/soft face when Dean was being a mega bitch to him. He wasn’t confused. He wasn’t angry. He knows he’s this close to losing Dean and he’ll have no one to blame but his own selfishness. He want to be there for Dean. He knows his past has scared Dean’s psyche but he still loves Dean and wanna put himself out there cuz not having Dean is not something he wanna think bout. Its stupid, but Dean’s worth it. He did replace Dean, he doesn’t know how he keep hurting Dean when he promises himself that’s the last thing he wanna do. But I think he’s made peace with the fact that he’s selfish and is immune to hurting the ones he love. But he’ll still fight for them, he’ll still want to keep them.
Also when Dean was lashing out, Seth didn’t back down. He didn’t even flinch. It was kinda cute. My ambrollins trashy heart was thinking he’s used to Dean’s moody bitch fits and he’s an expert at handling his moody ass wife lol.
Btw, Dean, once again looked pretty as hell in the opening segment. Shout out to Charly’s prettiness too while we are at it.
The look Dean gave to the medic, lmao he was being such a little bitch throughout the whole show. I love his moody grumpy ass.
Dean whump, all round…Good content.
I almost thought Dean wasn’t coming out to save Roman/Seth. But he did. Once again proving to himself/everyone else even though he’s aware he’s in for an asskicking, he’s gonna take it for his family. Its Dean’s pride that’s making him all angsty and sad and miserable.
Braun and crew complimenting Dean and still looking to be on the mission to court Princess Dean, lmao. Cute shit. Its a nice change of pace. I am still amazed WWE are not treating Dean as a joke like they always did.
Drew was all brooding…I bet ya all he was thinking bout ‘I don’t know bout these two idiots but Dean will definitely fit in VERY WELL in my arms’. Scottish Daddy detecting when a Baby Boy is vulnerable for the taking 🤭
Wow. I am off to write some angst folks. So much whump. So much drama. So many inspirations. The Shield drama has definitely awoken my muses and now they are all going wild.
