World Champion Seth Rollins was injured in his match against Jinder Mahal and may have to relinquish his title on RAW. Is the planned WrestleMania match against CM Punk canceled?
He plays one of the most important leading roles in the WWE program and in the planning for the anniversary edition of the WrestleMania mega-show this year – is both now a thing of the past?
Seth Rollins, the league’s reigning World Champion, has suffered an injury that may cost him his title and Mania participation, according to consistent media reports.
WWE has already announced that Rollins will open the Monday Night RAW TV show on Monday and “address his future as World Champion”. Will he have to relinquish his title just days before the first annual Royal Rumble?
WWE: Seth Rollins injured against Jinder Mahal
The reason for the uncertain situation is an injury Rollins suffered on the last RAW when he defended his title against former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal
Rollins failed to land the somersault Lionsault, holding his knee afterward. As Fightful reports, the injury has since been confirmed as a torn medial ligament and partial meniscus tear.
It’s not the worst-case scenario of a torn ACL, which would have definitely put Rollins out of action for WrestleMania 40 on April 6 and 7 – as it did fellow WWE wrestler Charlotte Flair. Still, Rollins’ injury typically results in several months off, during which he won’t be able to defend his title.
Will Rollins relinquish the title on RAW?
How WWE will now deal with Rollins’ injury, however, remains to be seen: The former, self-imposed rule that any champion loses his title if he doesn’t defend it for 30 days no longer applies in WWE.
It is therefore possible that WWE could also create a scenario for Rollins in which he retains his title and defends it as planned at WrestleMania in Philadelphia – against the newly returned CM Punk.
However, there are arguments against this: Rollins, like his role model Bret “Hitman” Hart, cultivates the image of a “Fighting Champion” who always puts his title on the line wherever he goes – also as an alternative to the Universal Champion Roman Reigns, who is higher up in the hierarchy and only competes in title matches on special occasions. Scenario X would therefore be a break in style
Rollins vs. Punk still the plan now
As the well-informed US journalist Dave Meltzer reports in his Wrestling Observer, a match between Rollins and Punk at WrestleMania is still planned, provided Rollins makes it there. However, that doesn’t say whether Rollins will enter the match as champ.
It’s also conceivable that Rollins relinquishes the title, Punk wins it and Rollins travels to Philadelphia as the challenger. Theoretically, WWE could also rededicate the traditional 30-man Rumble match on Saturday and have the World Title contested there – unless the plan is to pick Reigns’ challenger at the Rumble instead.
There are a lot of unanswered questions ahead of Tuesday night’s “Go Home RAW” – only afterward should fans have at least some of the answers.
