By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

WWE's U.S. champion, Dean Ambrose, is already talking like a locker-room leader about seven months into The Shield's successful run on WWE television. Ambrose, a self-professed student of the industry, is also talking like someone who recognizes the purpose of his job - making money for himself and WWE.

In an interview with Phil Strum of the Poughkeepsie Journal promoting Sunday's "WWE Live" house show in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Ambrose talked about the goal of his trademark promos and how he's been able to stand out in a short period of time.

"Guys today, a lot of them only learned one way to do it," Ambrose said of promos. "They came up in developmental or whatever and are told what to say and that’s the only way they know how to do it. I didn’t come up that way, fortunately. I don’t want anybody to tell me what to say. When you put words in my mouth, I don’t like that

"With a promo, you have an opportunity to sell tickets and sell pay-per-views and create interest. Every single time the camera’s on you, you have a chance to expand your bank account and puts (butts) in the seats and help your performance."

Ambrose described his promos as "a big part of a masterpiece of an angle or a story that climaxes in a match." He continued, "It all ties together. The things aren’t separate for me... It’s one big puzzle with a bunch of different pieces."

Regarding The Shield's success, Ambrose attributed it to the group's chemistry, WWE investing in them, an organic approach to how the group is presented, and staying true to the original look and feel of the group, meaning no new members.

"We’re only three guys, but that’s the perfect number because it’s a numbers advantage, but we’re not coming out with a whole parade of hangers-on. There’s no loose fat hanging off that has to get trimmed," Ambrose said, indirectly causing the reader to think about TNA's Aces & Eights group. "We’re many moving parts and every moving part has its job. We’re in sync. Each of us brings something completely different to the table."

Ambrose recently faced The Undertaker, which he described as a "surreal experience." However, instead of staying in fantasy-camp mode like many other wrestlers, Ambrose noted that he felt like he belonged in the ring with Taker, which reflects the vibe he gives off as a locker room leader despite being on the main roster for less than one year.

"It felt like it must have been a dream. On the other other hand, this is a window that’s only open for who knows how long and how quickly it’s going to close. You better take advantage of it. I’m not intimidated by any scenario, whether it’s The Undertaker or John Cena or anybody. We’re going to do this," Ambrose said.

"At this level, it’s kind of like the fight or flight kind of thing. All of us are kind of put in a position where you don’t get intimidated by the magnitude or the pressure of it. You don’t feel it. You feel the aura of The Undertaker. He has a presence. This is the most legendary guy you’re standing across the ring from and as big of an opponent as you can get. It’s like winning the lottery and I’m not about to not cash my lottery ticket in. You have ice water running through your veins. You’re out of your mind. It’s funny. The music’s playing. The pyro’s going off. It’s The Undertaker’s music. But, once the bell rings and you make physical contact, it starts to work and the world shrinks down to a 20-by-20 ring and it’s any other match really and you have to stay on your game once the bell rings."

[ LINK: Ambrose's full Q&A interview with Phil Strum can be read HERE - http://pojonews.co/11wOGbw

[Torch art credit Travis Beaven (c) PWTorch.com]

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