At this point, it’s no secret that the Smackdown Live after-show, “Talking Smack,” is generally responsible for the most scandalous, entertaining and memorable moments of WWE television pretty much every week. From stories about Daniel Bryan’s ding-dong to the best promo of the year, the storytelling, freedom and passion on “Talking Smack” is pretty much beyond compare.
That continued this week when John Cena took the time to address Dean Ambrose’s comments that he’s a part-timer who flies on private planes and doesn’t dress with the boys. Cena and Ambrose will take on WWE Champion AJ Styles next weekend at No Mercy in a triple-threat match for the title, but Cena didn’t mince words when talking about his opponent and what he thinks of him. Specifically, “John Cena doesn’t care about Dean Ambrose.” (Thanks to Cageside Seats for the transcription.)
“Yes, after I’m done talking smack, I’m taking the jet to New York because logistically, I don’t have the time to turn around.
“Like I said, you are the sum of the five people you surround yourself with and I surround myself with people who just go. The Vince McMahons of the world. People who are the first to show up and the last to leave.
“No, I don’t stand and dress where Dean Ambrose dresses. But this is where someone has twisted reality. Dean Ambrose said John Cena and Dean Ambrose don’t like each other. No. Dean Ambrose doesn’t like John Cena. John Cena doesn’t care about Dean Ambrose. And if Dean wants me to care about him? At No Mercy, he’ll either step up, or step aside. And that’s it.
In this supplemental clip that WWE tweeted out, you can see Cena take his comments a bit further and talk about how there are two bona fide stars to have come out of the breakup of the Shield — and Dean isn’t one of them.
"If Dean wants me to care about him at #WWENoMercy, he'll have to step up .. or step ASIDE!" – @JohnCena #TalkingSmack pic.twitter.com/X5VkFgtMeA
— WWE (@WWE) September 28, 2016
“Here’s a guy — legit — cashed in a suitcase to win a championship, won a match and then lost it. And you want to go way back? Document the Shield. The first time they hit the ring? “Man that Ambrose is something special!” Right now? Two bonafide WWE Superstars: Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns. One guy still trying to figure it out? Dean Ambrose. And yes, he had a great match tonight, but I’m sorry to plug Raw, how many great matches has Cesaro had? Tons. Absolutely tons. And he’s still trying to figure it out.
“And that’s not a knock on Dean Ambrose. Cause I know he’s gonna hopefully put in the work to get better. But you have to be accountable for your words.”
Yes, Cena is building the storyline and adding intrigue and is being the ultimate company man in selling No Mercy as hard as he possibly can. But as with a whole lot of other stuff we’ve seen on “Talking Smack” in the past few months, Cena’s words have a ring of truth about them. Combine this with Ambrose’s beyond-lackluster appearance on the Steve Austin podcast that didn’t do him any favors with fans or behind the scenes, and you’re definitely starting to get a less-than-rosy narrative for the Dean Ambrose character.
