Wrestlemania XXX: The Shield VS Kane & The New Age Outlaws

[The Eighties]

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Not a huge fan of this match-up, one of the hottest acts of recent times who work fantastic, high energy 6 mans vs three guys with their best years behind them.

Still, throw a street fight stip on it and it can work.

 

[Nate DaMac]

Bummer. What a step back for The Shield. It looks to me like they really were headed for a breakup until Vince and company saw how popular they were getting and switched gears at the last minute. This reeks of last minute booking. Then again, maybe this is a piece of the shrapnel from Punk's departure. All of the heels were involved in Punk's storyline and The Shield has had a relationship with Punk in the past. Maybe this was the intended match all along but the initial plan to build toward was fucked up.

I'm high and rambling again.

 

[kadroan]

This match up definitely was booked last minute. I thought they would have booked Usos vs. NAO again, especially how NAO was still in the picture wanting their rematch.

It amazes me how they make NAO look so strong despite looking weak against the Usos. I guess this is the pay per view where The Shield finally breaks up. Reminds me of their match up last year where people thought Randy was going to turn heel instead was The Big Show. I'm guessing as speculated Rollins and Ambrose turns on Reigns after their loss which builds into a major storyline going into post WM season.

 

[HBK/RKO]

It's a shame the shield aren't having a match with a group of young guys that are in their prime that can go instead of a bunch of 40-50 year olds. It's really unfortunate because they could have stolen the show. It won't be a bad match because they can all work but the shield deserve better. Also to comment @kadroan I don't think the Shield break up here. I believe they get the win and go 2-0 as a group at Wrestlemania and they save the breakup and build towards it for Summerslam

 

[KitsuneDreamer]

It's been said a lot, but it is a bit disappointing. I didn't expect the Outlaws. I expected them to finish their feud with the Usos. I really think they need a stipulation for this match. Possibly Cage.

 

[TWJC: The Beginning]

It's disappointing in that, it won't be as good of a match as the tag match with Real Americans last night even. However, this has angle written all over it. I can see someone turning here. Or maybe not. Shield is very over as babyfaces.

 

[WarroBODFan]

Disappointed, to say the least. I worry that The Shield will just have to carry the old geezers through some of the match. As a Shield mark, this doesn't give me any sort of thrill. I'm anticipating another bullshit Authority twist to screw them over anyway.

 

[NegativeFeedback]

My problem is that Kane and NAO are battle royal fodder. They shouldn't be showcased at the grandest stage of them all.

It's criminal that each one of them will get turns working 1-on-1 in the ring while Dolph, Sandow, Christian and Del Rio have to share the ring with 26 other men.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

It's a bit underwhelming, but I suspected this match was gonna come about when The New Age Outlaws joined Kane in attacking The Shield. As has been said, however, this has an angle written all over it. I'm thinking WWE is gonna go with a surprise heel turn during the match in which Rollins & Ambrose leave Reigns high & dry, or they jump the guy at some point.

I can also see them going the route of having Shield's tensions suddenly return with a vengeance, leading to the break up in some way.

 

[WarroBODFan]

It's a bit underwhelming, but I suspected this match was gonna come about when The New Age Outlaws joined Kane in attacking The Shield. As has been said, however, this has an angle written all over it. I'm thinking WWE is gonna go with a surprise heel turn during the match in which Rollins & Ambrose leave Reigns high & dry, or they jump the guy at some point.

I can also see them going the route of having Shield's tensions suddenly return with a vengeance, leading to the break up in some way.

I agree. There has to be more than meets the eye with this one. The rumours of The Shield breaking up are still doing the rounds anyway, whether you read it on twitter, or various websites. I don't read dirtsheets, or at least try not to, but yeah, something is in the works. I'm sure even the WWE aren't naive enough to believe competing against Kane and NAOs is anything bigger than a Smackdown level type matchup, so I'm anticipating something big to happen.

 

[MCMG]

It is rather underwhelming for The Shield and it looks like they have changed their times several times. What their plan was for The Shield a few months ago must have changed with Punk, Batista's return (and reaction) and the fact they are so over.

It gives them a team of heels to work against which will help them get over as faces. That's fine and all but this time last year they faced Randy Orton, Sheamus and The Big Show - a massive step down.

I'd have much rather seen The Shield vs The Real Americans and Kane. That would have been an awesome, potentially show stealing match.

The Shield almost certainly win. They only way I see them lose is if someone turns on the other which could work but I'd rather they avoided doing it at Wrestlemania.

 

[Mustang Sally]

Bummer. What a step back for The Shield.

Especially Roman Reigns; wonder how he feels about his singles career being pushed back. At the same time, while I can see he and Seth Rollins as good guys, it's going to be tougher to get used to Dean Ambrose as a face .....hopefully, he'll continue to be his obnoxious self even while fighting against the forces of evil.

As to the WM30 match-up......meh. This contest is more a vehicle to solidify the "turning good" status of the Shield than anything else. The Old Age Outlaws need no future plans to be firmed up since they don't have long-term futures with WWE.

It might be more interesting to see where Kane is headed. It's still hard to believe he's going to continue as an authority figure; that hardly seems to be his best destiny. I figure he either returns to full-time duty as a wrestler or retires from the company.

This match-up cries for a stipulation. For instance, "losers retire." Obviously, if that's the case, you know who loses since the Outlaws are essentially retired already while Kane might be headed that way.

As it is, I cringe whenever seeing him in a damn suit.

 

[WarroBODFan]

Especially Roman Reigns; wonder how he feels about his singles career being pushed back. At the same time, while I can see he and Seth Rollins as good guys, it's going to be tougher to get used to Dean Ambrose as a face .....hopefully, he'll continue to be his obnoxious self even while fighting against the forces of evil.

As to the WM30 match-up......meh. This contest is more a vehicle to solidify the "turning good" status of the Shield than anything else. The Old Age Outlaws need no future plans to be firmed up since they don't have long-term futures with WWE.

It might be more interesting to see where Kane is headed. It's still hard to believe he's going to continue as an authority figure; that hardly seems to be his best destiny. I figure he either returns to full-time duty as a wrestler or retires from the company.

This match-up cries for a stipulation. For instance, "losers retire." Obviously, if that's the case, you know who loses since the Outlaws are essentially retired already while Kane might be headed that way.

As it is, I cringe whenever seeing him in a damn suit.

I'm not sure it is a push back for Reigns' singles push though, far from it. I'm only going on rumours, but there is speculation Rollins and Ambrose might turn heel again either at, or directly after WM, and turn on Reigns. Though again, that may well change seeing the momentum a face Shield run might generate for all three guys.

I'm anticipating some sort of Authority swing at the end of the match, even if Kane and the NAOs get destroyed. Whether Ambrose and Rollins sell out and do "What's best for business", or whether some other possibility happens that I can't really think of right now. Part of me wants The Shield to destroy them, and absolutely nothing happen to them except a good pop from a pro-Shield crowd. Another part of me would be so curious to see how they play the breakup, whether it is indeed Rollins and Ambrose who turn on Reigns, or whether they split up amicably, and go their separate ways.

I'm with you when it comes to cringing at Corporate Kane. As he was my favourite wrestler growing up, I want the monster, or at least a semblance of the monster to return. As for the NAOs, I've been over their return for a long time. I almost feel bad for not wanting to watch them. I'm excited about the potential outcomes and what direction creative will take. I'm not excited about the actual match.

 

[Kidpolean]

Im not even going to read through this thread because I am pretty sure that it has a bunch of complaining and people wanting the Shield in a different match which I completely understand but jut dont want to see it at the moment.

IMO, this match is fine. Sure I would have loved to see a Shield triple threat BUT I believe that Kane and the NAO are hall of famers, just my opinion, and deserve to do more than be in a battle royal with a bunch of youngsters. They needed a spot, so the Shield had to take this match that puts 6 people in the spotlight instead of just 3. Should be a pretty good 6 man tag. I think that NAO can still go and Kane vs Reigns should get a nice pop and be a physical battle. Seth Rollins could have a good one on one with Billy gunn as well. I think these 6 guys match up almost perfectly. Road dogg's fast cocky move set vs Ambrose's slow methodical move set should be good as well. This match imo could be a show stealer.

 

[TheValeyard01]

I don't see what good this can do the Shield. The way their path has been set recently I think either a triple threat between all three members or a higher profile match would have been better for them. However, it'll be interesting to see how it plays out. NAO done a great job in my opinion of putting the Usos over more than they already were and Kane, while he's past his better days can still put on a good show. This could be a great match if done properly, only time will tell.

 

[jameswalsh292]

I dont know what all the negativity is about for this match, but I think its great match up.

Im loving the idea of the shield having a babyface run. Kane and NAO's are over as heels and can still perform in the ring. The Shield are defying the authority and the storyline makes sense, I personally cant think of a better way to use the shield. There is a lot more gas in the tank for the shield to continue as a unit and there for there is no need for a split yet.

Great match up, great story, hopefully the match itself will deliver as im sure it will.

 

[BigGreen73]

Just because the sheild is playing face right now, doesn't mean there still can't be a break up at WM. Last few weeks, Rollins and Ambrose, have been the ones teaming up with Reigns at ringside. Maybe that those two are trying to prove they don't need Reigns, and can get it done on their own. Maybe their jealous of Reigns because he is getting all the attention etc. I would not be surprised to see Rollins and Ambrose turn on Reigns at WM XXX.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

The reason that nobody seemes enthused about this is because, as good as they are, Shield 6-man matches aren't anything new, we all wanted a triple-threat match and they'll likely going to be losing to a team of pensioners.

The New Age Outlaws nostalgia tour ended a long time ago.

 

[The Fabulous Rougeau's]

I (like most people here) have been anticipating a Shield breakup that sees Reigns emerge as a face and Ambrose and probably Rollins as heels. But what if it goes the other way? Say at Mania, it is Reigns who turns on Ambrose and Rollins. He doesn't have to necessarily align himself with The Authority, but what if he's the one to turn on his teammates. They could follow Mania with a rehash of the Brock/Hardy's story from 02. And once Reigns deals with his former Shield mates, then he can transition to the WWE World Title and challenge either Bryan, Cena or whoever the champ may be.

 

[L@RISANO]

I (like most people here) have been anticipating a Shield breakup that sees Reigns emerge as a face and Ambrose and probably Rollins as heels. But what if it goes the other way? Say at Mania, it is Reigns who turns on Ambrose and Rollins. He doesn't have to necessarily align himself with The Authority, but what if he's the one to turn on his teammates. They could follow Mania with a rehash of the Brock/Hardy's story from 02. And once Reigns deals with his former Shield mates, then he can transition to the WWE World Title and challenge either Bryan, Cena or whoever the champ may be.

Unlike Brock who truly suits the Monster Heel gimmick;
Reigns' Move set with the Spear and the Superman punch shows a guy who just has to be face because the fans will get behind him(granted he has to stay fresh and not become SuperReigns,lMO, another matter altogether).

I don't think the Shield will lose at WM30 and it will be a very bad booking decision if the WWE doesn't let this Shield face run last as close to SummerSlam as possible, lMO, since the fans have gotten behind them and responded positively to the Face turn.
Some sort of tease was done between HHH and Reigns on the last RAW show, and I hope it means a possible showdown between the two guys down the line.

It is obvious Reigns is the main guy to be pushed, and the other 2 aligning with the Authority and turning on Reigns would be a good decision some time before SummerSlam and letting Reigns go on his way first by having him overcome the other 2 to show his "beastly abilities".

Then, you can have Rollins turning Face later on down the line, because it is obvious, that Rollins High-Flying style is absolutely loved by the crowd. He does seem to be the next Jeff Hardy, or I daresay, based on his decent mic work even better than Hardy.

Ambrose, I hope, will be a Top Heel and be booked as such when his Singles run truly begins since he seems to have most of the tools for being afforded such a status.

Based on the Shield's booking since the beginning, I do hope ALL 3 of the Shield members get booked properly as they have been from the beginning and they all have successful careers post - Breakup

 

[LODemolition]

Yet another 6-man tag, ugh. I really hate this match. The Shield deserve much better. The Outlaws? Give me a break. They bore me to death. Kane vs. Reigns 1 on 1 could be interesting if he wasn't Corporate Kane. I'd rather see Reigns take on a heel Sheamus, Henry, or Big Show than Corporate Kane.

I'd have put Ambrose & Rollins vs. The Usos in the Tag Team Title match. They put on a hell of a match back at the MITB pre-show.

I like The Shield's face turn, but if this is the best they could do, then they should've made the split official and had the triple threat at Mania.

 

[@smarkmouth]

Especially Roman Reigns; wonder how he feels about his singles career being pushed back. At the same time, while I can see he and Seth Rollins as good guys, it's going to be tougher to get used to Dean Ambrose as a face .....hopefully, he'll continue to be his obnoxious self even while fighting against the forces of evil.

Up until Elimination Chamber, I was entirely with you. I thought it was time to pull the trigger for Reign's to reap the benefits. In the last month, I've changed my song. Truth is, I'm not sure the crowd is ready to get behind Roman Reigns solo, just yet. I know it was a weak crowd to begin with, but the night after EC when he and Wyatt went one on one, the crowd couldn't care less. Enter the rest of both factions, and the crowd went hot.

As for Dean Ambrose, I'm with you, except the "getting used to" part. I had tremendous babyface sympathy for him at EC when Bray Wyatt got all up in his head at the beginning of the match. Plus, HUGE pop for him when he saved Rollins from going through that table. This pop has since been mirrored in his second rope-rebound clothesline he's been doing. I know that Ambrose is a natural heel, and will probably spend a significant fraction of his career as such. I would love it, though, if he surprised us all as a bad ass, lunatic face.

Oh, this threads about a match? Oops.

It's been mentioned that this is more of a segment/angle than a match. I agree, I just hope the angle isn't the obvious one, being the Shield split. Perhaps Shield wins, and Kane goes full monster on everyone left in the ring; NAO, referee, anyone. It's still a bit lackluster for The Shield, but they just came off one of the hottest angles all year with the Wyatts. I can't blame Creative for shifting their focus elsewhere.

 

[jc_ultimate]

It's a bit underwhelming, but I suspected this match was gonna come about when The New Age Outlaws joined Kane in attacking The Shield. As has been said, however, this has an angle written all over it. I'm thinking WWE is gonna go with a surprise heel turn during the match in which Rollins & Ambrose leave Reigns high & dry, or they jump the guy at some point.

I can also see them going the route of having Shield's tensions suddenly return with a vengeance, leading to the break up in some way.

I completely agree with you on the angle aspect of this match.

If this was just to be a normal match wouldn't they have been doing everything and anything in their power to make the NOA and Kane look like a threat to the Shield?

Instead the Shield has looked very dominate in my opinion. Personally I would love a showcase of the Shield as faces with a solid clean victory. Not quite to the level of a squash match, certainly you could work it with the heels getting in some offense but just a strong victory.

Sadly, I think you are right and some sort of angle is what is actually going to happen.

 

[tommo1898]

It is a shame but as someone else said I think this was a last minute idea to help them establish themselves as faces

 

[Seosa]

First post so don't kill me.

I'm not too big on this match, but I do feel this is where The Shield split. Not however with a big screw-job. I'd rather see them try and carry Kane & the Outlaws to a good match and win obviously, and at the end make it obvious that they're going it alone. Let them pose and give off clear signs that this is the end.
Reigns then gets his push, and if need be turn Ambrose heel again by having him screw over Rollins at Money In The Bank, ala Sandow and Rhodes but on a bigger and more serious scale. Hopefully all 3 play a major part at 'Mania 31.