The professional wrestling world is a demanding battlefield that subjects its warriors to ceaseless challenges. It’s known for pushing champions to the edge, testing their mettle, and compelling them to soar beyond the boundaries of what they’re capable of doing. Standing at the forefront of this gruelling test is WWE’s reigning world heavyweight champion, Seth Rollins.
Dubbed the WWE’s workhorse, Rollins, or the ‘Visionary’ as he is known, personifies unyielding resilience. His tenure in the wrestling arena, which began in 2004, bears testament to a career that has spanned both the highs of victories and lows of injuries. His tenacity, however, comes at a price. Throughout his tenure in the WWE main roster since 2012, Rollins has had to wage war not only against his opponents but also against the nagging aches and pains that have become a recurrent narrative of his career.
During a recent appearance on the Impaulsive podcast with fellow WWE superstar, Logan Paul, Rollins shed light on what’s been his biggest struggle in recent years – dealing with multiple injuries. His revelations remind us of the inescapable wear and tear synonymous with the world of professional wrestling. Among the litany of ailments that plague him, he pointed out recurring issues with his knee, neck, and, most notably, his lower back. He’s been grappling with these persistent pain points since 2019, with the back pain attributed to a couple of stress fractures.
There’s a bittersweet edge to Rollins’ revelations. On the one hand, it’s inspiring to see his unyielding commitment to his craft, especially considering he’s been wrestling with these injuries for an extended period. On the other hand, the severity of his condition is a disconcerting reality that can’t be ignored. As the 37-year-old star admitted, he might need to consider surgery for his back issues, even though he has been determinedly avoiding it.
Rollins has tried to mitigate these ongoing issues with non-invasive treatments, such as stem cell therapy. He expressed the mere temporary relief these treatments provide, further highlighting the need for a more permanent if invasive solution, especially if he wants to continue wrestling for years to come.
In the same interview, Rollins joked about going on for at least a couple more years before he starts to take a page out of The Undertaker’s book and appears for the occasional Premium Live Event.
With that said, despite his persistent injuries, Rollins continues to exemplify the fighting spirit that’s expected from a world champion. Unlike his contemporaries, like Roman Reigns, who has adopted a part-time status, Rollins puts his title on the line multiple times on various live events, Raw, and even NXT.
As he heads into WWE SummerSlam to defend his title against Finn Balor, one can’t help but imagine if his statements are a hint of what’s to come.
It’s difficult but not impossible to imagine Rollins winning against Finn Balor in August only to drop his championship belt against a last-minute cash-in from Damian Priest. The WWE could then give him a storyline injury to give him an out and get the back surgery that he needs to make sure that his body remains in tip-top shape for the foreseeable future. Sure, this would take him out for the better part of the next year, possibly well after WrestleMania 40, but it could give him the time he needs to recover and get ready for yet another decade of dominance.
By that time, he’ll be as spry as can be for a WWE superstar of his age with his kind of mileage, ready for what could finally be a dream match against Roman Reigns.
WWE is entering a transition phase, with its older stars dreaming of Hollywood and newer ones taking center stage. Amidst this shift, Rollins stands out as a constant, reliable figure. But his ongoing battle with injury is a concern. The wear and tear are catching up, and with the company’s growing reliance on him, his health becomes even more critical.
How Rollins and the WWE will make sure that his body stands up to the undefeated tests of time remains to be seen, but they’ll have to address this sooner than later.
