On the final WWE Monday Night Raw ahead of WWE WrestleMania 41, Seth Rollins underlined the importance of his main event triple threat against CM Punk and Roman Reigns. Interrupting Reigns’ scolding of Paul Heyman, Rollins drew attention to the problematic behavior of his two rivals.
It has been the central theme of Rollins’ promos on the road to WWE WrestleMania 41. Punk infamously quit WWE and professional wrestling in 2014. While WWE has been the dominant force in recent years, Rollins has also pointed to Reigns’ increasingly sporadic appearances. In contrast, Rollins has remained a constant and hard-working draw since his debut in 2012.
As Rollins stated on Raw this week, professional wrestling is built on the sacrifices and hard work of wrestlers like himself, who fully commit themselves and their time to maintaining the industry’s well-being. In Rollins’ eyes, Punk and Reigns are a threat to that. Victory is not just the chance to squash his rivals; Rollins sees it as the opportunity to progress and develop WWE in his image.
Career-Defining Triple Threat
All three superstars remain at the peak of their powers and popularity. But all three are also at a crossroads. Punk has emerged from injury and his feud with Drew McIntyre to headline WrestleMania for the first time. But he has also failed to capitalize on opportunities that would have brought him world title matches.
Reigns, meanwhile, has had almost everything stripped from him in the last year. His Bloodline has depleted, and at WrestleMania XL, Cody Rhodes ended his legendary 1,316-day reign as Universal Champion. Since losing his world title at WrestleMania, Rollins has been in the wilderness.
Various feuds have prevented Rollins from returning to the winner’s circle. Like Punk, he has failed to profit from title matches and opportunities such as the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber.
Paul Heyman Caught In WWE WrestleMania Crossfire
Arguably the match’s most disruptive element, Paul Heyman will be in the corner of the Second City Saint at WWE WrestleMania 41. This will be the first time in 12 years that Heyman and Punk have united for a match. Their once-effective partnership came to a halt when Heyman betrayed Punk at Money in the Bank in 2013. However, their friendship has survived in the years that have followed.
This has, of course, frayed the longstanding relationship between Reigns and his Wiseman. Cautious of the wily Punk – an image reinforced by Rollins’ recent promos – Reigns will also be aware of Heyman’s betrayals of Punk and Brock Lesnar in the past. Torn between his past and his present, all signs point to another betrayal exacted by Heyman.
But Rollins can’t be discounted here either. Rollins’ unique hatred for what Reigns and Punk symbolize to him, as well as his unhinged behavior, presents him as the ultimate unpolished diamond in WWE. A character who could benefit from the guidance of a certain Wiseman.
What If…CM Punk Wins?
There’s no doubting Punk’s self-confidence; he continues to be a dynamo on the microphone. But time comes for us all, and there is doubt as to whether Punk still has the strength to challenge for big titles. A victory here, in his first WrestleMania main event, would squash any scepticism. Punk is wholly capable of emerging victorious from this match. But if he does, chances are Paul Heyman will play his part.
Heyman has famously elevated the careers of Reigns, Lesnar, and Punk himself. A win for Punk with Heyman at his side is enough to end The Wiseman’s working relationship with Reigns.
The temptation to work with his best friend – a relationship forged over the last 20 years – might be too good to turn down. Renewing their partnership, Punk and Heyman would be the most powerful duo in the company.
What If… Roman Reigns Wins?
Having lost his world title and The Bloodline, Reigns has cut a lone figure in the last year. Irregular appearances have prevented The Tribal Chief from building momentum, but that could all change with a colossal main event win. Heyman will be in Punk’s corner, but for the time being, he is still Reigns’ manager. A win wouldn’t just get Reigns back on track; it would renew Heyman’s services and confidence.
Victory for Reigns would not just be an opportunity for rebirth; it would also mean putting his decade-deep feud with Rollins to bed.
Rollins’ steel chair shot on Raw this week reminded viewers that their feud was still without a conclusion, echoing back to the dissolution of The Shield and Reigns’ WrestleMania XL downfall. If Reigns wants to be a world champion again, he must find catharsis at WWE WrestleMania 41.
What If…Seth Rollins Wins?
Seth Rollins is known for his chameleon-like persona, but in this match, he is the black sheep. Punk and Reigns are embroiled in a tug-of-war for Paul Heyman. Rollins, meanwhile, continues to stir the pot. Yes, he is very aware of the consequences of a Reigns or Punk victory, but his ego is just as mindful of the riches this main event win could bring.
WWE fans talk about the power that Punk brings to the microphone, but Rollins has been the voice box of this feud. His opinions and accusations have manipulated the direction of the rivalry – sometimes in Rollins’ favor, sometimes not. But ultimately, he arrives in Las Vegas with a good hand.
Heyman will be aware of the pros and cons of a working relationship with Reigns and Punk. They both remain selfish in their ways. The Wiseman will also notice how Rollins has navigated the last couple of weeks, coming out on top in the previous two episodes of Raw.
If Rollins is making a play for Heyman’s services, he’s doing a great job. Should Rollins win and do the unthinkable in recruiting Heyman, a formidable partnership could be in the works. Rollins under the wing of WWE’s greatest manager would be more than enough to make The Visionary a world title contender again.
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