When a major WWE star returns to the ring, the moment is defined by the roar of the crowd and the shock of their reappearance. In recent years, there has been another constant: Seth Rollins standing in the middle of it all. The former world champion believes that’s no coincidence.
During an appearance on ESPN’s First Take with Stephen A. Smith, Rollins addressed his frequent role as the foil for high-profile comebacks, from Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 38 to CM Punk at Survivor Series, and most recently AJ Lee’s return earlier this month. Asked what it feels like to be part of those historic moments, Rollins was direct. “I am a moment making machine. The company knows it, the industry knows it, and these people coming back, they want to feed off of what I bring to the table.”
Smith pressed him to define that contribution, leading Rollins into a fiery self-assessment. “I am a visionary. I am a revolutionary. I am Seth freakin’ Rollins… I am the greatest superstar, not just of my generation, but every generation in the history of this company. When it’s all said and done, when I hang up the boots… I will be on the Mount Rushmore of this industry. No question about it. That’s what I bring to the table. I’m the Stephen A. Smith of WWE, if you will.” (h/t Fightful)
Rollins wasn’t the only figure in his circle to make headlines on ESPN. Paul Heyman, who has not appeared on WWE television since being attacked by Roman Reigns at Clash in Paris two weeks ago, joined the show as well. He pointed to visible burst blood vessels in his eye as evidence of the attack before being asked about his status for WrestlePalooza.
Heyman refused to give a straight answer, instead leaning into the uncertainty. “H—l of a cliffhanger. I’m always comfortable ringside with Seth Freakin’ Rollins. Maybe the strategy calls for me to be elsewhere at that moment. Maybe the strategy calls for me to be ringside at the moment.”
With Bron Breakker noting on Raw that The Vision has lacked leadership in Heyman’s absence, the ambiguity only adds to the intrigue. Whether or not he shows up in Indianapolis, Heyman has ensured that all eyes will be on him when WrestlePalooza begins.