Stars in Progress: Curtis Axel, The Shield, Randy Orton

The ShieldThe Shield – One Step Up

There's no doubt that the US and Tag Titles are in better hands at this point. At least there's some value with them now, even if thethe actual titles still aren't directly valuable. Meaning, they help add value to this group of three, whereas I don't think they did for Kofi or Team Hell No.

This will help The Shield continue to get over. And that's what they need most right now, even though I read where some fans and even experts think they're geting over huge right now.

I must be hearing something different. Or NOT hearing, for that matter.

I don't think they're doing a bad job, by any means. In fact, they're right where they should be. WWE has done well keeping them relevant and putting them over. The titles are just a good continuation of that.

The position they're in now is a delicate balance, however. They aren't the nWo equivalent — they don't have a big enough name right now to be anywhere close — so for now, they are still just on top of the midcard. There's nothing wrong with that, but will the entire midcard be elevated as a result? I'm not so sure.

How do you continue to work on putting over these three men effectively, while trying to help the entire division as a whole (or divisions, when you include both US and Tag Team, although I'm grouping the entire midcard into one)? Will WWE be able to pull the trigger eventually when it's time for them to lose their respective titles? Especially when it's to much lesser individuals (or teams) than the ones they've already defeated up to this point?

Or…will they drag it out too long to the point that it really doesn't benefit anyone in the end?

They've done excellent up to this point; let's hope the consistency continues.

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