Jon Moxley's decision to start a new chapter in AEW marked the beginning of the end for The Shield — by far the most beloved and successful WWE stable in the post-Ruthless Aggresion Era.
In January 2019, WWE confirmed reports that Moxley — who performed as "Dean Ambrose in WWE" — opted to leave the company following the expiration of his contract. It was a stunning piece of news to the wrestling world, given the tremendous popularity and success Ambrose enjoyed with the promotion.
A month after making his final WWE appearance, Moxley debuted for the new AEW promotion at its inaugural Double or Nothing pay-per-view event. It was later revealed that Moxley signed a multi-year deal with the promotion. Fast forward three years later, and Moxley remains a focal point of the AEW roster.
With Moxley flourishing in AEW, it's anybody's guess if and when we'll see the original three Shield members get back together. During an interview with Digital Spy, Seth Rollins explained that he doesn't think a reunion with both Ambrose and Roman Reigns will happen until they're enshrined in WWE immortality together.
"I can say that, and maybe this might come back to bite me at some point, but I just don't think you're ever going to see the three of us team up ever again," Rollins said. "It wouldn't look the way you want it to look. It wouldn't be like the old days in The Shield, it would be a different animal. I think we're all just too big stars with too big personalities at this point...The next time you see us together it's going to be when we're inducted into the Hall of Fame. That's going to be it."
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All three superstars went on to enjoy Hall of Fame-caliber careers after their initial split (in 2014, when Rollins sided with The Authority). Reigns is shining as the top star in WWE right now, and Rollins has been a mainstay in the mid-card scene over the past two years.
Will the three ever wrestle together again? Only time will tell, but there aren't any indicators that Moxley is a) unhappy in AEW and b) itching for a return to WWE.
The Shield's Final WWE Match Together
The final WWE match involving Reigns, Ambrose and Rollins took place at "The Shield's Final Chapter." This was a special event held inside the TaxSlayer Center in Moline, Illinois on Apr. 21, 2019. The Shield defeated Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre and Baron Corbin in a six-man tag team match.
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