In the realm of professional wrestling, few superstars have carved out a legacy as enduring as Seth Rollins in the WWE. Rollins embarked on his solo journey in the summer of 2014 with a pivotal betrayal of his group, The Shield. By 2015, he had reached the pinnacle of the industry, emerging victorious at WrestleMania as the WWE Champion. Since that career-defining moment, Rollins has remained a vital figure in the main event scene, though his precise standing within the hierarchy of WWE remains a topic of debate.
Recently, in an enlightening interview with Chris Van Vliet, Rollins opened up about his experiences in WWE, including his feelings surrounding WrestleMania XL Night Two. During this event, he played a crucial role in helping Cody Rhodes dethrone Roman Reigns, who had held the WWE Championship for nearly five years. As Cody celebrated his momentous victory, Rollins confessed he felt “probably a little bit of jealousy”watching from the sidelines.
For those interested, Seth’s reflections on Cody’s championship win can be found at the 7:28 mark in the video above.
Seth Rollins’ Mixed Feelings on WWE WrestleMania XL
Joy and Jealousy Over Cody Rhodes’ Win
After establishing himself in the independent circuit as Tyler Black, Colby Lopez joined WWE in 2010 as Seth Rollins. He quickly made waves in the developmental territory, earning the title of the first NXT Champion after FCW transformed into the now-popular NXT brand. Despite his success on the main roster, Rollins has expressed feelings of not being viewed as the top star within the company. In his conversation with Van Vliet, he shed light on this perception:
You know, I had a different experience watching Cody win the title. You know, I felt joy, probably a little bit of jealousy. But, like, I don’t know, I have never really been the guy that’s been handed the ball that way. You know, for the last 10 years, it’s been Roman, for the most part, and then Cody comes back and he gets that treatment as well. And I’ve always felt like I wanted to be that person and I could be that guy. .. it just wasn’t for me in the eyes of people who were making those decisions.
Rollins acknowledges that both Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns might not have reached their current status without his contributions to the company, not in a resentful manner, but rather as a recognition of his influence in elevating others. It may sound surprising coming from a multi-time champion, yet it reflects a deeper narrative of Rollins’ journey through WWE.
Seth Rollins’ First Run as WWE Champion
Perceptions of His Championship Reign
Rollins secured his first WWE Championship by cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase at WrestleMania 31, disrupting a match that saw Roman Reigns positioned as the next face of the franchise. This strategic move was driven by the recognition that fans were not fully on board with Reigns as champion—illuminating WWE’s need for a compelling narrative close to the event. Although Rollins emerged as champion, his identity as the top star was clouded by the nature of his character at the time.
Despite being the primary villain, Rollins’ role was complicated by the fact that a champion must often embody the positive values associated with a face. Thus, while he thrived as a top heel character, he inherently could not embody the essence of a lead protagonist. Instead, he became a catalyst for the audience’s adoration for faces like John Cena and Roman Reigns.
Seth Rollins’ Initial Babyface Run
Opportunities as a Top Face
Rollins was on the verge of a significant change in character, set to drop the WWE Championship to Roman Reigns at Survivor Series 2015. Unfortunately, a serious knee injury during a live event forced him to vacate the title just weeks before the pay-per-view. Following his return in May 2016, the crowd greeted him as a hero, yet Rollins struggled to break free from his heel persona, which diminished his momentum. Despite turning babyface later that year, he faced the challenge of rebuilding his reputation amidst an evolving landscape where Reigns continuously dominated.
Seth Rollins’ 2019 Run in WWE
The Chase for Top Status
In 2019, while Roman Reigns took time off for health reasons, Rollins finally found himself in a position to showcase what he could offer as the top star. He squared off against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania, securing the Universal Championship, a title being marketed as the company’s premier title at that time. Rollins received significant promotional support, appearing prominently on marketing materials.
Despite this emphasis, Rollins’ win occurred in the opening match, overshadowed by Becky Lynch’s main event—an indication that WWE still prioritized other talents over him. Throughout this period, Rollins was viewed more as the company’s backup rather than a definitive frontrunner.
Could Seth Rollins Ever Truly Be WWE’s Guy?
Recent Main Event Insights
Rollins believed he could reclaim the top position when he became the inaugural WWE World Heavyweight Champion in 2023. However, even now, he often remains in the shadow of larger stars like Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes. His most recent main event during WrestleMania was perceived as secondary to the ongoing narratives around Cody and WWE’s Bloodline, reinforcing a persistent narrative where Rollins finds himself as a supporting player rather than a headliner.
It’s akin to the role played by “Rowdy”Roddy Piper during his titular feud with Hulk Hogan—the audience’s discontent with the heel often accentuated the love for the face. Rollins exemplifies this duality, delivering outstanding performances whether as a villain or a hero. He remains a fan favorite despite often being relegated to a secondary role.
As Rollins himself noted, despite never being the primary focus, he achieved remarkable feats and garnered respect within the industry over a storied career. However, as he approaches the twilight of his professional journey, the window for him to claim the top spot is closing. This trajectory highlights an undeniable reality of his career—one that embodies both success and the nuanced complexities of the wrestling world.
Source: INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet
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