The reigning World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins, didn’t mince words when he declared Roman Reigns and his part-time schedule as the catalyst for the creation of a secondary championship during a recent appearance on “Out of Character with Ryan Satin.”
Never been one to hold back his tongue, Rollins’ interesting take stirred the pot and, at the same time, threw a spotlight on his own commitment to his craft, contrasting their reigns despite how brief his current run is.
Often described as the hardest-working individual in WWE, Rollins’ intense schedule and multiple title defenses following a resounding win over AJ Styles at the Night of Champions in May have diversified the company’s storytelling approach. On the other hand, Reigns’ limited appearances have allowed his storyline to simmer, creating suspense and making each of his appearances a significant event, Rollins’ regular on-screen presence and weekly title defenses have transformed Monday Night Raw into an entirely different spectacle.
Rollins made it clear he doesn’t begrudge the undisputed WWE Universal Champion for his choices, but he isn’t shy about declaring that they’ve left a void in the WWE programming. He said, “If Roman was doing what I’m doing there wouldn’t really be a need for a secondary championship, there wouldn’t be a need for another World Heavyweight Championship on Raw, because we would have somebody who was doing those things.”
This isn’t to say that Reigns’ more sporadic title defenses are hurting the WWE. On the contrary, his reign has helped one of the world’s foremost sports promotions update its history books as Reigns has passed the 1,000-day mark and is currently the longest-reigning WWE champion in the WrestleMania Era. Not only that, but the Bloodline storyline involving Reigns remains a compelling narrative in wrestling, with many attributing its longevity to Reigns’ selective appearances and allowing the story to unfold at a measured pace.
When Reigns unified the WWE and Universal Championships last year, it left Monday Night Raw without a top prize for the better part of a year. Rollins, often referred to as the Visionary of WWE, saw this as an opportunity to fill the void and bring a new level of competition to Monday nights.
Rollins has already made multiple successful defenses on live television, even crossing over to NXT in a move that nobody saw coming.
Unlike Reigns, Rollins has chosen to emulate the champions he looked up to growing up – champions like Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, and CM Punk. These were the champions who defended their title across every territory and town, elevating the status of their championship over time.
And so, Rollins has embarked on a similar journey, aiming to elevate the World Heavyweight Championship to the same stature as Reigns’ undisputed title. Rollins said, “It felt like a big deal because there are so many guys who are able to be in the shoes that I’m in right now. The fact that it’s me makes it feel like a big deal to me.”
While some fans may view Rollins’ championship as a ‘consolation prize’, he takes his role seriously and considers the title as an integral part of the wrestling narrative. It not only drives characters’ evolution and advancement but also offers a top-tier level in the show, ensuring the continuation of riveting matches and engrossing stories.
Finally, Rollins isn’t shy about his ambitions. Already a bonafide future WWE Hall Of Famer, he openly expresses his desire to secure a more official main event slot. Having tasted the sweetness of victory during his Money in the Bank cash-in at WrestleMania 31, Rollins still yearns for that pinnacle of career success. This, however, doesn’t tinge his viewpoint with jealousy but instead fuels his healthy competitive drive to climb to the top.
So, what’s next for Rollins in the WWE? We don’t know just yet, but the possibilities are endless. He’s got a Damian Priest-sized target on his back with Señor Money In The Bank breathing down his neck while Finn Balor has made it clear that he isn’t done with Rollins yet. Luckily, Cody Rhodes has declared that he has zero intentions of winning the World Heavyweight Championship, with his eyes laser-focused on Roman Reigns and his title belt. But, RAW isn’t about to run out of options anytime soon, with GUNTHER, Drew McIntyre, Brock Lesnar, and even the likes of Randy Orton, possibly gunning for the title belt.
