Since that night in Indianapolis — incidentally in the same building where the trio made their WWE debut — the WWE Universe has struggled to put the pieces together. As we wait for Ambrose and Reigns to make their next move in the wake of Rollins’ treason, we wonder: If The Shield were to replace Rollins with a new third member of the group, who should they choose? WWE.com’s editors picked six hypothetical Hounds of Justice that we’d like to see join the ranks of the black-clad rebels.
Seth Rollins was The Shield’s go-to high-flyer. If Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose are looking for a new aerial expert, there’s no one better to fill the spot than reigning NXT Champion Adrian Neville.A world-traveled competitor, Neville’s arsenal of high-flying maneuvers is unlike anything the WWE Universe has ever seen. Seemingly able to defy the laws of physics, Neville’s moniker of “The Man That Gravity Forgot” is well-earned. He can flip out of any situation and land on his feet with deceptive ease. Every time he takes flight, Neville soars through the air with equal parts grace and reckless abandon, risking his well-being for the pursuit of victory.
A true daredevil, the most impressive move in Neville’s game plan is the Red Arrow, a jaw-dropping, gravity-defying Shooting Star Press with a few mid-air rotations thrown in, just because he can. While Seth Rollins is a formidable flier, Neville might be the best to ever do it. That would make him the perfect fit for The Shield, as long as the flak jacket and combat boots don’t weigh him down. — BOBBY MELOK
Although it’s unlikely they make tactical vests large enough for the barrel-chested 290-pounder, Big E’s agility and superhuman strength would help ensure that The Hounds of Justice remain the big dogs in the yard for the foreseeable future. While in NXT, Big E waged war with The Shield as the group was just beginning its campaign of destruction, and even defeated Seth Rollins for the NXT Championship in early 2013. Why not replace The Architect with the man who ended his only solo title reign as a contracted WWE competitor?
It might seem like overkill to add a second powerhouse to The Shield — Roman Reigns fills that role just fine — but when has this ruthless faction ever been worried about using excessive force? Besides, if you thought the group’s original Triple Powerbomb was impressive, just imagine the types of three-man maneuvers The Shield could pull off with this hulking former Intercontinental Champion in their midst. — JAMES WORTMAN
It’s hard to fathom the neon-clad Dolph Ziggler trading in his pinks and lime greens for The Shield’s paramilitary black, let alone downplaying his bombastic nature to fall in line with The Hounds of Justice’s serious, business-first approach. Those details aside, The Showoff would nonetheless fit in nicely with Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns should they ever want to bolster their ranks in a post-Seth Rollins era.
Much like The Architect, Ziggler is a versatile ring mechanic who’s more than capable of rousing the WWE Universe to its feet with crazily athletic moves. If Reigns packs the power and Ambrose brings the unpredictability, then The Showoff’s flash would balance the team dynamic.
More important, the outspoken former World Heavyweight Champion shares Ambrose and Reigns’ disdain for WWE COO Triple H and The Authority’s heavy-handed rule. Few Superstars have been as bold as Ziggler in criticizing WWE’s King of Kings, and though it’s unlikely anyone will ever replicate Rollins’ deep bond with Reigns and Ambrose, the hip-shaking rabble-rouser would provide a similar rebellious, show-stealing aura. — JOHN CLAPP
