Seth Rollins. Photo by Sherwin Vardeleon/ INQUIRER
Looking back, Seth Rollins could only laugh seeing how far he and his fellow independent wrestlers have gone in their careers.
Selling out smaller venues in the past, this batch from the indies have solidified themselves as surefire crowd drawers and emerged as the cornerstones in today’s WWE programming.
“I think it took the WWE a while to recognize that the indies produce a better talent. It’s the experience, knowing that you have to make things on your own, going to places, and wrestling all over the world, which makes us stand out,” the Architect told INQUIRER.net.
“Obviously, the WWE developmental circuit produces its own set of talent, but the thing is you just learn one style there. Nothing compares to the experience you gain from the indies, knowing the different styles around the world, and you see that with the current talent, with AJ Styles, Finn Balor, Dean Ambrose, Samoa Joe. The landscape has really changed and it’s good to see guys who have been grinding for 10 to 12 years in the indies to where they are right now.”
Rollins also admitted that this shift in mentality has made him appreciate his current program with Samoa Joe more, knowing that guys like them who made their names in numerous independent promotions somehow find themselves at a crossroads anew, this time with the WWE.
“Joe is incredible and it’s always good to have a program with someone you’ve known for a long time,” he said. “To be honest, I took a wrestling camp with Joe when I was still 17 years old. It’s a time before I even started having things to do with wrestling and it’s nice to know that after a long time, we’re in a position where we are right now. It’s a good feather in the cap recounting that we had that bond even before we started in the business.”
However, despite their deep connection with their backgrounds, Rollins made it clear that there’s a reason why he is “The Man,” and he wants to prove it, expressing his desire to get his shot at the Universal Champion Brock Lesnar soon.
“Truth be told, we’re all biding time. Me, Joe, Roman (Reigns), Braun (Strowman), Dean,” he said, rattling off names of possible challengers to Raw’s flagship title.
Rollins will have a chance to get closer in getting that crack as he was named as a part of the number one contender’s fatal-5-way match at Extreme Rules, where he will face off against Joe, Balor, Reigns, and Bray Wyatt.
The Kingslayer also didn’t shy away from calling out the Beast Incarnate, saying, “With Brock, it’s a double-edged sword. Obviously, Brock brings prestige to the title, but he’s not here often. Brock is a selfish individual and he works in his own realm, in his own schedule. He shows up when he wants to, so we all work in Brock’s schedule.”
Exuding confidence, there’s no doubt in Rollins’ mind who will come out on top once he gets his chance at Lesnar.
“I think I’ll be able to handle him and come out on top, as otherworldly as that sounds. Yeah, I think I’ll definitely come out on top,” he said.
But if that opportunity doesn’t come sooner or later, Rollins has one opponent in mind that he wants to face off against.
“AJ Styles,” he quipped. “We haven’t had a match in 10 years and it will be very interesting to have a match with him, hopefully, that happens soon. The brand split has kind of threw a wrench on us, but hopefully, soon.”