Frank de Boer's men equalled the current record of four in a row, held by HVV (1900-1903) and PSV (1986-1989 and 2005-2008), by lifting the trophy last season.
However, Vitesse have proved to be a real bogey team for Ajax in recent seasons and the defending champions have now gone four matches without a win in the top-flight fixture, losing three and drawing the most recent in April.
Zwolle produced a second upset over Ajax with a 1-0 win in the season curtain-raiser, having demolished the same opponents 5-1 in the KNVB Beker final in April.
That said, Ajax, who saw captain Siem de Jong depart for Newcastle United in the close-season, have lost four of the last five Shield finals, so it is by no means a reliable marker by which to judge the club's chances in the subsequent league campaign.
Zwolle - fresh from their morale-boosting victory - have the honour of getting the new Eredivisie season under way on Friday when they welcome Utrecht to the IJsseldelta Stadion.
Ron Jans' charges finished 11th last season - matching the achievements of their first campaign back in the top flight a year earlier - but their cup exploits will have made their rivals sit up and take note.
