The Shield is arguably considered to be the most decorated faction from the modern era, and their success as a group showcases why a lot of people feel so. After making its WWE main roster debut in November 2012, this trio was a continuous topic of discussion among enthusiasts of professional wrestling for a long time.
Whether it was the aura they carried or the controversies around them, the faction was constantly in the headlines, and their in-ring work also grabbed a lot of praise. In just a short period of time, the faction was able to go up against some of the biggest names in the Stamford-based promotion, which included John Cena, CM Punk, Triple H, and many others, and it was clear that the group was destined for greatness.
Everything seemed perfect for the group, and they were also able to get the audience behind them, but then the unexpected happened on June 2, 2014. After successfully tackling the challenge of The Authority, the group was in the ring, and that’s when The Game and Randy Orton came out, and Hunter started talking while standing on the ramp.
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While he was doing so, Seth Rollins did what nobody expected him to ever do, as he betrayed his teammates to join WWE authority. The Visionary started assaulting Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose with a steel chair, and made it clear that he’s no longer a part of The Shield, and by doing so, he officially turned heel for a fresh run.
Amid the kind of attachment the fans had established with the trio, it was a truly heartbreaking moment for a lot of people, and even though it’s been a decade, the moment is still fresh in everyone’s mind. So, let’s take a look at a few reasons why the break up of this faction is so historic that WWE is still struggling to top it even 10 years after the iconic heel turn by Seth Rollins.
None of the recent betrayals comes close to Seth Rollins’ heel turn
The shockwaves that Seth Rollins sent across the world by betraying his own factionmates are a major reason why that moment is still crystal clear in every pro wrestling enthusiast’s mind. But another big reason why it was truly iconic is because none of the recent betrayals come close to The Shield’s break up.
It’s been a decade since Rollins did the unthinkable, and after that, numerous such moments took place in the company, but no one really comes close to what Seth and his team created in 2014. Since the day Triple H stated the monumental “There’s always a Plan B” phrase, some high-profile teams or groups have broken.
From Kevin Owens’ attack on Chris Jericho back in the late 2010’s to the heel turn by Daniel Bryan or even the day Dean took out The Visionary after their reunion as a team. Numerous such moments have taken place over the last decade, but it’s safe to say that Seth’s chair attack on Dean and Roman Reigns is still untouchable for any of these incidents.
The individual success of every member of The Shield made it a historic moment in WWE
The emotions attached to The Shield’s break up is something that makes it a historic moment in WWE. But another thing that sets it apart from other betrayals is the individual success of every single member of the trio. As Seth Rollins joined forces with The Authority after his heel turn, he was able to win championship gold pretty soon in the organization.
But Ambrose and Reigns were also able to match their way to the top of the division in no time. All three of them won the top prize in the Stamford-based promotion in the next few years and registered their names among some of the most successful in-ring stars in the company. While Dean is no longer a part of the Triple H-led promotion, Seth and Roman are signed with WWE and are still in the top few names of the biggest wrestling promotion in the world.
Both The Visionary and The Tribal Chief were part of the main events of both nights of WrestleMania 40, and it shows the level these two are maintaining despite being in the company for over a decade. The craze for The Shield is still so high that when the stable’s theme was played during Seth’s entry in the Night 2 main event, fans believed that it might be Jon Moxley.
As the WWE Universe still immensely loves each member of the trio, there’s a possibility that the company pulls off the impossible by having them together for another short run as a group. It is what a lot of fans want, but the ongoing storylines associated with their name may not allow this. But it’ll be interesting to see if a possible reunion of the group happens in the near future or not.