But pointing to it needing to be on the bigger stage is missing the bigger picture. The fact of the matter is that there isn't going to be a bigger stage for Ambrose-Cena to happen. Cena's schedule will prevent that since he's done for the year after No Mercy except for maybe a one-off at Survivor Series. Once Mania season happens which is his likely return time, he's either going after Styles or Taker where he will be far away from Ambrose.
It's a matter of priorities at this point. Ambrose is going to be one of their workhorses and one of the very few consistent main event presences they have on Smackdown. He is in the likely position of having to eat two more major losses while being phased out of the title picture. They have to do what they can to keep his credibility up and the fact is that Cena is capable of taking the hit to do that. While it may not maximize its effectiveness, it is absolutely necessary to do it given the circumstances. Protecting Ambrose in this situation is more important to the overall picture than worrying about maximizing a clean Cena loss to Ambrose when they weren't ever going to get a better stage to do that with.
And quite honestly with where the program is at right now, I would not be opposed to Ambrose winning the title back from Styles on Smackdown on Tuesday. People will probably not like that idea but I think it's the best solution because it will generate some pretty important news for Smackdown's show. I think they need a title change of this caliber on the program at least once plus it gives an excuse to do Ambrose-Styles at Survivor Series while letting Orton-Wyatt finish then before the switch in programs. I do understand it is playing a little bit of hot potato with the title but I think they need it.
It would be one thing if this was the catalyst for a mega push but odds are that isn't what is going to happen.
AJ will retain and Dean will most likely go to the upper mid card making this a waste.
And that's why it's a waste. It isn't like AJ's win where it was a huge stage and a clear jumping pad for his big push. Dean's been treated like a transitional champ since he won the belt, and not even a roll up Cena win on SD is going to reverse that over night.
It really didn't help that Cena seemed checked out for that match. If they wrestled a classic it might of stuck more.
Again the point isn't that Dean should of won the match. Of course Dean should of won. The point is it should be a huge deal, but instead comes off as just "whatever"