Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre propose an alliance with The Lunatic Fringe against Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins.

DENVER — If there was any lesson to be learned from The Shield’s breakup a few years ago, it’s that the greatest threat to the group usually lies from within. So while The Hounds of Justice might withstand an outside threat like Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre — key word being might, but we’re a few weeks away from testing that — there’s something to be said for The Monster Among Men’s newest tactic of stirring up some latent discord by targeting Dean Ambrose.

Why Ambrose? The most devout Hound of Justice is also the only one without a championship despite having held down SmackDown LIVE as WWE Champion two years prior. According to Team Braun, he’s the “sucker” who Seth Rollins begged to help win back his own title, and he’s the one who, Ziggler pointed out, was replaced in a matter of weeks last year when The Kingslayer teamed up with Jason Jordan in the wake of The Lunatic Fringe’s injury. Strowman & Co. made Ambrose a full-fledged offer: Join their crew and they would ensure he defeated Rollins for the Intercontinental Championship.

The Shield were having none of the pack’s attempt to tear them apart, but Acting General Manager Baron Corbin, on thin ice already with Commissioner Stephanie McMahon, wasn’t about to let The Hounds run roughshod over his show. The Lone Wolf ran interference to not so much stop the action as delay it — per Stephanie’s orders, Corbin will team with two partners of his choosing to battle The Shield later in the night.