Seth Rollins: Plan B Becomes Plan A
Seth Rollins was crowned the new WWE World Heavyweight champion at WrestleMania 31. The former Shield architect ran down to the ring during the main event match between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns, cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and made history.
Of course, it wasn't exactly unexpected history. This is what so many fans wanted after all, right?
How many people did not see this coming? If you raise your hand, then shame on you because honestly, this is the outcome that was perhaps the most desired from the moment that Roman won the Royal Rumble to get the Mania spot.
That's how much fans hate Roman. Think about it. For the past several years, all of the vile and vitriol imaginable has been leveled at John Cena. The big friendly Boy Scout has been at the center of controversy due to his static character, his ridiculous jokes and the company's refusal to turn him heel.
Cena is one of the hardest working Superstars WWE has ever known but that doesn't matter and it hasn't mattered in a long time. Fans were sick of him, he was consistently booed out of the building and the same thing happened every week.
The crowd wanted change. Enter Roman Reigns.
Roman was supposed to be the catalyst for change. He was the heir apparent to Cena, the next top guy that would elevate through the ranks and eventually take the torch of leadership, guiding WWE to the next era. But then of course the same fans that hated Cena decided Reigns deserved to be hated as well.
This was the part I never understood. Fans wanted change, WWE offered it to them and they rejected it. Why? Because Roman is not Shawn Michaels in the ring? Okay. Because he's not CM Punk on the mic? Sure, I'll give you that.
But to dismiss him to the point that virtually no one is giving him a chance? Was it that bad? Did Roman deserve that?
The answer is no. But none of that matters now. WWE likely heard the reactions, tried to make it work for him then realized it wasn't happening. So instead of sticking with what appeared to be plan A, they went to plan B.
And now Seth Rollins is the king of the world. Good for Seth Rollins.
Seth is the anti-Roman, much in the same way Punk was the anti-Cena. He can talk, he's very creative and he can flat out kill it in the ring. When Seth is on TV, fans watch. His character is so hated that he's become likeable and in a company that used to thrive on the classic heel verus babyface dynamic, a popular heel is out-popping the pure babyface. And it's not even cause for concern.
This is what WWE has become. This is what the WWE audience wants. Straight up protagonists are great to a point. But if there is not enough reason to like them, then fans will turn on them. All the smiling, good-hearted actions and respect in the world won't be enough to save them. Something has to happen for the crowd to embrace them.
You know, like turn heel. But it's okay. This is what we have and as wrestling fans we must play the hand we're dealt.
Seth Rollins as the World Heavyweight champion is akin to CM Punk as the World Heavyweight champion. And just as fans respected him for what he could do, fans also now respect Rollins for the same reasons. Seth deserves this and now the fun will come from watching him have fun with it.
