When it came to WWE fans, The Shield was one of the most prominent factions. With their electrifying entrance at Survivor Series 2012, Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, and Seth Rollins rethought the nature of professional wrestling domination. As they marched through the crowd in black tactical gear, they interrupted matches, eliminated legends, and changed the face of WWE’s main event scene.
They were one of the most intimidating trios in WWE history due to their championship reigns, relentless energy, and undefeated streak in six-man tag team matches. All great factions, however, do eventually fall apart, as history has proven. Seth Rollins’ treachery on June 2, 2014, brought an abrupt and brutal end to The Shield.
Key Facts About The Shield’s Breakup
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Faction Name | The Shield |
| Members | Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins |
| Debut Date | November 18, 2012 (Survivor Series) |
| Breakup Date | June 2, 2014 (First Breakup), April 21, 2019 (Final Farewell) |
| Reason for Breakup | Seth Rollins betrayed The Shield and joined The Authority |
| Major Titles Won | WWE World Heavyweight Championship, United States Championship, Tag Team Championships |
| Final Match Together | The Shield’s Final Chapter (April 21, 2019) |
| Signature Move | The Triple Powerbomb |
The Unfathomable Betrayal of Seth Rollins: The Night the Shield Collapsed
Midway through 2014, The Shield hit a new peak. They were officially the most powerful faction in WWE after their dominating clean-sweep victory over Evolution at Payback 2014. At a time when they appeared unbreakable, WWE revealed one of the most shocking betrayals in the history of wrestling.
While appearing on Monday Night Raw on June 2, 2014, Triple H stood smirking in the ring and revealed his “Plan B” strategy to deal with The Shield. Seth Rollins shocked the WWE Universe when, just moments after, he brutally attacked Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose with a steel chair.
According to Rollins, the self-proclaimed “Architect” of The Shield, the group had recently been internally divided. As Rollins turned against the men he had referred to as his brothers and joined forces with The Authority, fans watched in disbelief.
What Followed the Disbandment of The Shield?
After the Shield broke up, several members went on to have highly successful solo careers in WWE.
The Mastermind Behind Betrayal, Seth Rollins, Now a Champion
Rollins became the golden boy of The Authority after betraying The Shield. It wasn’t long after that he won the 2014 Money in the Bank briefcase, which propelled him to WrestleMania 31. There, he pulled off one of the most shocking cash-ins in WWE history, stealing the championship from Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns.
Rise of the Powerhouse: Roman Reigns
Quickly after The Shield broke up, WWE promoted Reigns to the position of top star. After becoming WWE’s all-time longest-reigning Universal Champion, he went on to win the 2015 Royal Rumble, headline many WrestleManias, and more.
Dean Ambrose: The Psychopathic Outcast Aims for Payback
The betrayal by Rollins hit Ambrose the most. He and his ex-Shield brother had a savage feud that lasted for two years. Against Rollins and with the WWE Championship in hand, Ambrose poetically cashed in on his Money in the Bank contract at Money in the Bank 2016.
Reunions and Final Breakup of the Shield
The Shield’s iconic status in WWE continued even after their betrayal, prompting numerous reunions of the group.
After reconciling in August 2017, Ambrose and Rollins won the Raw Tag Team Championships in a 2017 reunion. They were later joined by Roman Reigns, and The Shield made a brief return.
In August of 2018, the Shield regrouped once again, stopping Braun Strowman from redeeming his Money in the Bank contract. This was the 2018 reunion. After Rollins was betrayed by Ambrose and Reigns announced his leukemia diagnosis in October, the couple split up again.
The 2019 Final Chapter: At Fastlane 2019, the Shield reunited for a final time. Their incredible run came to an end in a final farewell match at The Shield’s Final Chapter on April 21, 2019.
A Legacy of the Shield
The Shield may be dormant now, but they had a monumental effect on WWE.
As the protagonist of The Bloodline plot and current champion of the Undisputed Universal Championship, Roman Reigns is the biggest star in WWE.
Seth Rollins has been WWE’s top workhorse for quite some time, winning championships and main-eventing big events.
Former WWE star Dean Ambrose (now known as Jon Moxley) reimagines his career by dominating AEW and winning the AEW World Championship three times.
Despite the sadness of the split, three of the most prominent figures in modern wrestling emerged from the Shield.
FAQs About The Shield’s Breakup
1. When did The Shield break up?
The Shield first broke up on June 2, 2014, when Seth Rollins betrayed Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose.
2. Who caused The Shield’s breakup?
Seth Rollins turned on his Shield brothers, attacking them with a steel chair and aligning himself with Triple H and The Authority.
3. Did The Shield ever reunite?
Yes, The Shield reunited in 2017, 2018, and 2019, with their final match taking place at The Shield’s Final Chapter in April 2019.
4. What happened to The Shield members after the breakup?
All three members went on to become world champions. Rollins became WWE Champion, Reigns became the face of WWE, and Ambrose (now Jon Moxley) left for AEW and became its top star.
5. What was The Shield’s final match?
The Shield’s last match was at The Shield’s Final Chapter on April 21, 2019, where they defeated Baron Corbin, Bobby Lashley, and Drew McIntyre.
