How About Three Centerpieces?

The WWE is a company that likes to have one guy that will be pushed as the top star of the company. You'll have other main-eventers around him, but it is always obvious who that one top guy is. You might also have former top guys pushed at a very high level once their run as the centerpiece is over, like Shawn Michaels was during his final years with the WWE and how Triple H has been pushed during John Cena's years at the top and even now. You also have part-time big names, like Brock Lesnar. Regardless of all that, it is always clear whom the WWE wants to be that full-time top star.

The new centerpiece, Roman Reigns, has obvious issues. The WWE might have thought they overcame their dilemma of getting his haters to love him a few months ago. They could not get it to stick. With all the injury issues and everything else, the WWE has enough worries on their mind.

Roman Reigns was part of a successful stable. I don't mean just in terms of accolades. The Shield got over. Ever since the group broke up, all three members have had title success. Dean Ambrose is holding the Intercontinental Championship. Roman Reigns just lost the WWE Championship a few weeks ago, and is likely to win it again. Seth Rollins was getting a long run with that title prior to getting injured. In terms of overness, I don't think Roman Reigns was the only one that took a hit. Seth Rollins never really broke out on his own as a heel. Dean Ambrose is over, but frequently gets used as Roman's sidekick. He could go further than he is.

How about pushing all three of these guys as centerpiece? How about rotating the spotlight between them? I don't mean every main-event feud will feature all three in some way. I mean the majority of top feuds will feature at least one. You will still get a Brock Lesnar or Triple H or John Cena feud get the main spotlight on some nights, but the centerpiece of the company would be the former members of The Shield.

That is the way it has kind of been for a while now. Roman Reigns has been involved in the WWE title matches at recent PPVs. Seth Rollins was holding the title for months before that. Before that, Brock Lesnar held it. He wasn't always around during his reign. You frequently saw Reigns, Ambrose, and Rollins getting main-event focus while he was away. Of course, the WWE's ultimate goal has been to develop Reigns as the new centerpiece. And if they are going to have a 3-man rotation at the top spot, Ambrose will have to be featured better.

One thing that is going to have to happen is smarks will have to ease off the hatred towards Roman Reigns. This is a compromise. Just because Roman Reigns isn't appealing to them doesn't mean he isn't appealing to other fans. And wrestlers that they may want to see instead, like Rollins or Ambrose, might not be appealing to other fans. There is no one as hot as Daniel Bryan used to be. If there was, there would be an obvious answer to push. Given the WWE's current issues with injuries and poor ratings, give them a chance to get Roman Reigns solidified as a top star. He may not deserve to be pushed as the top star, but he can fill the void of someone that is injured or close to retirement.

In terms of talent, there aren't many A+ players out there. And there shouldn't be. This is elite talent. This is the cream of the crop. If you took the best qualities of each guy in The Shield, you would have an A+ player. Seth Rollins is great in the ring and has some high-risk spots. Dean Ambrose is great on the mic and has charisma. Roman Reigns has the look and strength. They each have their weaknesses that might hold them back from getting A+ overness in their solo careers, but all their strengths combined might just create the perfect superstar. Can pushing all three as the new centerpiece do the job that just pushing one cannot?