It's hard to figure out who Dean Ambrose really is.
On TV, he seems to be full of insanity, making fans wary of all the unorthodox things he has up his sleeve, from things he can do to fighting someone in the building. It's what suits him right now that earns him the nickname "Crazy Fringe."
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At this moment, Ambrose was quite comfortable. He started a business that had consumed him since childhood. He's not swayed by all this controversy and believes — in fact knows — that he belongs on the WWE Universal stage. And he has adapted well.
Ambrose will compete in the Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match live on the WWE Network this Sunday, March 29 at WrestleMania 31 at Santa Levi Stadium in Clara, California. He recently spoke to Sporting News about who he was attracted to growing up, getting comfortable on a big stage like WWE, getting used to the cheers from the fans and why he's tired of the backlash to Roman Reigns.
Sports News: For all of us who have seen you on TV, we have seen this really crazy guy. You always seem to be on the move. what do you do in your free time
Dean Ambrose:rarely seen. A lot -- if I had -- we basically have 36 hours off a week. So most of the time is spent sleeping, gymming, repacking, running errands. Not much downtime. If anything, I love mountain biking. I really like climbing and hiking and stuff like that. Something new, find a nice bistro. Whatever suits the mood of the season. My inner circle is small and tight and I like to chill when I get the chance.
S/N: I know that like many, you grew up a wrestling fan. Go back to when you first became a fan. Who was the first person you saw that really fascinated you?
Ambrose:I really don't remember much. If I had to say anybody, I'd probably say... Bret Hart was probably one of the first, because I've never been a Hulka freak. I kind of missed it. When I first started watching wrestling, I didn't know how old I was, maybe seven, because Bret Hart would be there at the time. I remember the first time I watched the WWF, Bret Hart was the guy who won Lord of the Rings, Master of Technology, and he could go for an hour. He has a million different moves and can beat anyone. Just tough, spirited champions. It's so cool. He's the opposite of (Hulk) Hogan, and in retrospect, he's one of the most indestructible heroes in comics. He's a down-to-earth, relatable guy, along with a bunch of thugs, Bam Bam Bigelow and others, Razor Ramon, Diesel, Yokozuna. And he always finds a way to trick them, outwit them, outsmart them. He was one of the first people to resonate with me as a child. So if I had to answer I would say Bret Hart. Not that there's any particular moment or anything that I really remember. I just remember really liking Bret Hart as a kid.
I love everything about men. I was obsessed at one point, at a very young age, I really started with Saturday morning WWF. You read the magazine and you read everything else. You discover ECW late at night on some crazy channel and you have to decipher it, it's like a whole different universe with a whole different set of rules. Then you start ordering tapes of magazines and stuff from different countries and regions and different periods. I remember when I was a kid reading magazines and scores and almanacs and stuff, flipping through tapes and trying to piece together the history of the titles and stuff. Before the internet existed, you can search it now. Oh, like there was a guy called Bruno Samartino 20 years ago (laughs). So he had it and it got to where Bret Hart now owns it. I'm trying to understand his story and piece it together in my head. All this fascinates me. The history of the business is very fascinating to me.
S/N: What's it like for you right now because you're a student of the sport, you've been around a long time and now you're on this stage and you have to wrestle at WrestleMania?
Ambrose:Obviously, it's very nice. It's still a bit surreal and it's weird how normal it is to me now. Like talking about Bret Hart. If I run into Bret Hart backstage at a show or if I run into Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper and I'm like, 'Hey, man, what's up?' It's like -- not that we're good friends -- but I have a friendly relationship with them. (laughs) They're just normal people. Like if I pass Hulk Hogan in the hallway, I'm like, "What's up bro?" "What news brother?". This is all very surreal. WrestleMania is coming up, this is my third, I know the routine. This week is a bit of a circus, you have things to do. A lot happened. Now I know the routine and I'm ready for it. I'm very relaxed. I've always imagined myself in this scene, so it's very comfortable for me to be here. Being in the main event on Raw can be nerve wracking at first, but by the time I got here I was ready and hungry enough and ready. after all. I can finally compete in the main event of Raw. Let's start. He never said to me, "Oh my God, I'm so nervous, this is such a great opportunity, I hope I don't miss it." This has never happened to me. All good and I finally want to take this damn picture. Let's get to work. I feel like I belong here.
Serial number: Absolutely. What is your progress because you come in as a member of the shield, you are very annoying. Since the team broke up, everyone is cheering for you now. Are you used to it?
Ambrose:I'm used to it. It's weird for me getting used to it...not having as many fans rooting for you at games as they root for me, and I've spent my time as a fan favorite here and there. But I always preferred to be hated and I was always comfortable in that role. I've always found that my best work is feeding off negativity and loving—as strange as it sounds—living in a negative state of mind in space and using it as fuel. I think some of my best work comes from here. To me, the kids and the guys were like, “Yeah! You are the one! And teenage girls or kids are like, "Oh, Dean Ambrose," I think, yeah, that's normal. But when the kid says "Dean Ambrose, you're my favorite," like the kid's wearing the shirt and dressed like me, wow, that's amazing. As a ten-year-old girl says, "God, I love you Dean," how am I? What? what happened to me How is this going? It's very strange, isn't it? Anyone who shows me a very high level of focus or positivity... it takes a while to get used to.
Serial number:Well Dean, women like bad boys, so that's your point.
Ambrose:Yes, my friend. She is a woman 101 man.
Serial number: When it comes to the main event of WrestleMania, of course we have Brock Lesnar defending the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns, who you know very well. What do you think of some fans' reaction to Roman Reigns? I don't know if you'd call it a controversy, but some say it's in that place right now.
Ambrose:Overall, it's a lot of fun. I'm in the royal buzz when it's a problem, right in everyone's face, but at the same time it's really a problem because they make noise. Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will finally fight at the MGM Grand. What voice will the audience use? Who is the man behind it? So what? You don't even think about it. You just want to see the product. No one thinks who will be behind the fans in this game. Nobody cares. So for me it's fine to root for whoever you want as long as they're participating and have a voice. For ten years now, John Cena has been announced on the field. That doesn't mean he's any less popular. It just means that sometimes people knock him for being such a big star. The bigger a star you are, the more disapproval and hate you will receive. So it's not a big deal to me.
To me it's like people like to talk and dissect and people don't know anything about it... people really don't know anything, it's not that they don't know anything about wrestling, it's that people really don't know what it's about they talk Anyone can – especially in this day and age with Twitter and all that crap – ANYONE on the planet can… if you have a phone and an internet connection, you can have a podcast where you can say 'oh let's talk' about the controversy' It turned out to be a lot better than it actually was because I was out on the town with him every night and people cheered him on almost every night. He's a big star and liked by a lot of people, which means a lot of people will hate him too. Me the whole "Will the fans accept Roman Reigns?" Well, they should because maybe if he wins the WWE Championship, he'll be a big star and you see him every week and you can write all you want. Do you want to be on your little blog or something. . You watch him on TV every week, you pay for the network (WWE), you buy pay-per-views and tickets, you pretty much pay his bills. To me, the fans accept Roman Reigns for everyone. It's like making history... That night at the Rumble, it was history. It's a pretty crazy scene, unexpected or not. For me, it's like I can't (pause) I don't like wrestling because I don't care what people do. I want to see the match. I want to see these two guys. I want to see how it turns out.
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FAQs
What did Dean Ambrose say about Roman Reigns? ›
That's a bit much, Mr Lunatic Fringe. Dean Ambrose labelled Roman Reigns' renewed battle with leukaemia as “karma” on last night's episode of Raw in a brutal promo.
What happened to WWE superstar Dean Ambrose? ›The Lunatic Fringe left WWE when his contract expired in late April 2019 and immediately jumped ship to AEW, reviving Jon Moxley and becoming one of the biggest attractions in sports entertainment outside of the Stamford-based promotion. The very final moments as 'The Shield says goodbye to Dean Ambrose'.
Does Roman Reigns still talk to Jon Moxley? ›Now that they are no longer in the same company, their relationship dynamic seems to have changed a little bit. During an appearance on the SI Media Podcast, Roman Reigns spoke about his friendship with Jon Moxley. He stated that they were still very much in touch, but not as much in their WWE days.
What did Dean Ambrose refuse to say? ›Jon Moxley, formerly known as Dean Ambrose, said on 'Talk Is Jericho' that he once refused to say a line about Roman Reigns' leukemia during his time in WWE, claiming that it was so bad that he did not even want to repeat it on Chris Jericho's podcast.
Are Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose still friends? ›There was a time when they worked together in WWE as members of The Shield alongside Roman Reigns. Now that Moxley (known in WWE as Dean Ambrose) and Rollins work in rival companies, fans wonder if they still share the bond of friendship. Are Seth Rollins and Jon Moxley still friends? The answer is yes.
Why did Big Show leave WWE? ›Wight wasn't ready to be put 'in the retirement home'
"That was one of the big battles that I had with Vince [McMahon] — he's an innovator, he's brilliant, he's one of the smartest people I've ever met in my life, he understands the human dynamic — I didn't want to be in that legends role.
The Rock in WrestleMania
Earlier, it was believed that Johnson might return to the Royal Rumble 2023, win it, and later join WrestleMania 39. However, the reports later turned out to be false.
The friendship between Jon Moxley and Roman Reigns saw them becoming tight in the early days of The Shield. All three members developed a close bond, but Reigns and Moxley always seemed to particularly enjoy being in each other's company.
Will Roman Reigns stay in WWE? ›Undisputed WWE universal champion Roman Reigns has no plans to end his pro wrestling career any time soon. In an interview with Joe Reedy of the Associated Press ahead of his main event match against Cody Rhodes on Night 2 of WrestleMania 39 on Sunday, Reigns addressed his WWE future, saying: "I feel good.
Why did Dean Ambrose wrestle in jeans? ›That's like really old school wrestling. So they wore the trunks so that they could slip in and out of holds, the way an amateur wrestling wears a singlet. It's very old school for old school wrestling.
Is Dean Ambrose powerful? ›
Though plenty powerful, Ambrose's best asset is not his strength, evidenced when he struggled to pick up Homicide for a Michinoku Driver. Considering he idolized Bret Hart growing up, his technical savvy comes as no surprise. His eccentricity and in-ring savagery make him his own man.
Who said you can't teach that in WWE? ›Quotes. Enzo Amore : [He comes out with Big Cass as usual and starts their usual opening] My name is Enzo Amore, and I am a certified G and a bona-fide stud, and you *can't* *teach* *that*! And this right here, this is Big Cass, and...
Are John Cena and Dean Ambrose friends? ›Dean Ambrose keeps his distance from most others as the only people considered to be his friends in WWE are Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, The Usos, and his wife, Renee Young. John Cena is one of the wrestlers that Ambrose did not care about forming a bond or friendship with.
Do Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns like each other? ›Many times fans wonder if both men are still best friends in real life. The answer is yes! Although both men have had heated battles on screen, they never ruined their friendship. Roman Reigns worked with his former Sheild brothers for a long time, which brought them close in real life.
Why did Jon Moxley leave WWE? ›Moxley, who is now signed to a written contract with AEW, said he became an adult in WWE and is grateful for his eight years there, but the promotion's creative process wore on him so much that he became depressed and got "physically sick" every show, so much so that he was searching on WebMD what might be wrong with ...
Is Vince McMahon quitting WWE? ›Following claims of hush-money agreements McMahon paid over alleged affairs with former WWE employees, McMahon stepped down as CEO and chairman of WWE in June 2022, pending the conclusion of an internal investigation; he was replaced by his daughter, Stephanie McMahon.
Why is McMahon leaving WWE? ›REVEALED: Stephanie McMahon 'resigned as WWE co-CEO because she doesn't need the money and was due to be DEMOTED by the return of her father Vince...
How much money did Big Show make? ›| Net Worth: | $20 Million |
|---|---|
| Name: | Big Show |
| Salary: | $2 Million + |
| Monthly Income: | $2,50,000 + |
| Date of Birth: | February 8, 1972 |
According to Heyman, it seems that he believes the Rock's schedule — and pride — got in the way of a WWE return in 2023.
Does WWE still pay the rock? ›However, for a few fans, his WWE salary is still a secret. The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment is not currently under contract with WWE. Consequently, according to his WWE contract in 2013, The Rock has an annual salary of $5 million, which is equivalent to Roman Reigns' current salary.
What if the rock never left WWE for hollywood? ›
The truth is that if the Rock had stayed with the WWE, he would have ended up like Hulk Hogan or John Cena. He would have gotten stale. Fans are able to see the Rock now and enjoy him in small doses. He is a reminder of a different era, and is there just long enough to give fans that warm nostalgic feeling.
What Brock Lesnar said about Roman Reigns? ›“I see a f*cking superstar,” Lesnar said about Reigns “I see [a] guy who came into his own and is a real threat as [a] person and as a character. …
What did Brock Lesnar say to Roman Reigns? ›As Lesnar stood in the Texas stadium he trotted out an old saying created in the Lone Star State: “Pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered.” “Roman Reigns, you're a hog, and I slaughter hogs on my farm every single day,” he threatened.
What condition does Roman Reigns have? ›Roman Reigns was diagnosed with Leukemia before he debuted in the WWE. Reigns' public announcement in 2018 was not the first time he fought Leukemia. The tribal chief first faced the disease at the age of 22.
What sickness is Roman Reigns suffering from? ›Reigns said he's been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a slowly progressing disease that is typically caught doing routine bloodwork. “It's pretty much where you wanna catch this disease, this illness, and pretty much for me there's a pill that they make," Reigns said.
Is Brock Lesnar more powerful than Roman Reigns? ›Yes you can beat him very easily but this is big match for .. Roman you have a great great reputation but the fact is that brock lesner is more powerful than you... If its a real fight he may knock you out in few seconds... He is not just a beast aslo he is a strong man of the all wwe wrestlers...
Why WWE is pushing Roman Reigns? ›Foley said Vince McMahon was pushing the wrestler to new heights and “in a strange way, the pandemic episodes may have aided Roman in that.” The former wrestler also talked about how Reigns needed this push because he wasn't considered “the guy.”
What happened between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania? ›Roman Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar in the Winner-Take-All WrestleMania 38 main event, winning the WWE Universal Championship. Featuring mostly big moves from the two top heavyweights, Reigns vs. Lesnar was as advertised as an epic Clash of the Titans.
What did Undertaker tell Roman Reigns? ›The multi-time WWE Champion had the following to say to 'The Big Dog' apologising after encounter the year prior. “I felt so bad about last year. I just want you to know, that bothers me... I didn't have it, you know that.”
Does Roman Reigns respect Brock Lesnar? ›When asked if he has any respect for The Beast Incarnate during his appearance on The Michael Kay Show, Roman Reigns stated that he does and compared himself to legendary basketball player Michael Jordan.
What did Undertaker say to Brock Lesnar in UFC? ›
Why not try it? There was no personal animosity, really, but it was basically me saying, 'All right, you left our world. I'm going to come into your world, and I'm gonna call you out,' and you know, that was it. And obviously it was a huge media storm, and it's all [Helwani's] fault."
Can leukemia be cured? ›While there is currently no cure for leukemia, it is possible to treat the cancer to prevent it from coming back. Treatment success depends on a range of factors. Treatment can include: chemotherapy.
Did Roman Reigns cure leukemia? ›He acknowledged fans with handshakes and high-fives as he made his way down the ramp, and he beamed as he delivered the good news to supporters and critics alike that his cancer was in remission. The Big Dog was officially back to doing what he loved.
How long will Roman Reigns be champion? ›Based on these reports, speculation suggests that Roman Reigns could potentially retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship until SummerSlam 2024. Should this occur, he would surpass Hulk Hogan's record-setting title reign of 1,474 days from 1984 to 1988, cementing his place in WWE history.
How long can you live with leukemia? ›Almost 65 out of 100 (almost 65 percent) will survive their leukemia for five years or more after diagnosis. For those who are 40 or older: Around 20 out of 100 (around 20 percent) will survive their leukemia for five years or more after diagnosis. Your age affects how well leukemia responds to treatment.
Is chronic myeloid leukemia curable? ›With modern treatments, it's often possible to control chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) for many years. In a small number of cases, it may be possible to cure it completely.
What is the survival rate for leukemia? ›In the United States, overall, 5-year survival among people diagnosed with leukemia is 65%. However, these statistics vary greatly according to the specific subtype of disease: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) 5-year survival rate is 85.4%. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) 5-year survival rate is 68.8%.