Seth Rollins On WWE, CM Punk Beef, Bad Bunny, Ronda Rousey, The Rock, Logan Paul I CLUB SHAY SHAY
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Seth Rollins was adopted at age two and credits his adopted father, Ron Lopez, for instilling a strong work ethic and providing positive male role models.
- ❖He decided to become a professional wrestler at 14, forsaking traditional sports to focus on physical training and public speaking for his dream.
- ❖Rollins spent 6-7 years wrestling on the independent circuit, often losing money and performing for fewer than 10 people, driven solely by his love for the process.
- ❖WWE's recruitment shifted around 2009-2010 from prioritizing large physiques to valuing skilled wrestlers like Rollins, who then proved their worth on the main roster.
- ❖The Shield's breakup, orchestrated by WWE, was a shocking moment that Rollins believes was essential for his, Roman Reigns', and Jon Moxley's individual success.
- ❖The audience ultimately determines if a wrestler is a 'babyface' (good guy) or 'heel' (bad guy), often overriding creative plans, as seen with Roman Reigns and Becky Lynch.
- ❖Rollins finds it easier to portray a 'heel' character due to greater creative freedom and the audience's natural inclination to root against antagonists.
- ❖WWE now actively recruits college athletes through an NIL program and is more family-friendly, accommodating parents like Rollins and his wife, Becky Lynch.
- ❖Rollins' relationship with CM Punk remains strained due to Punk ghosting him and criticizing WWE after his departure, which Rollins took personally as Punk attacked his 'home'.
- ❖He believes crossover stars like Logan Paul are beneficial for WWE, bringing new eyes to the product, but notes that few develop the genuine passion required for full-time commitment like Paul has.
Insights
1Bad Bunny's Unprecedented Commitment to Wrestling
Seth Rollins highlights Bad Bunny's exceptional dedication to professional wrestling, noting his participation in a 'no holds barred' street fight in Puerto Rico where he took significant physical bumps, including going through tables and being choke-slammed. Rollins compares this commitment to Michael Jackson performing at WrestleMania in his prime, underscoring the rarity and impact of such a global artist engaging so deeply.
He had an absolutely wonderful match with Damen Priest in Puerto Rico a couple years back. He loves wrestling. That's insane. By the way, I just want people to understand that it was a street fight. It was like a no holds bar San Juan street fight. He's going through tables getting beat with chairs getting choke slammed. This is the biggest artist in the world. This would have been like Michael Jackson in 1986 at Wrestlemania.
2Vince McMahon's Unexplained Ban of the 'Curb Stomp'
The day after winning his first world title at WrestleMania, Seth Rollins was informed by Vince McMahon that his signature finishing move, the 'Curb Stomp,' was being banned without a clear explanation. Rollins speculates it was due to a negative connotation or perceived danger after being featured on 'The Today Show,' leaving him without a finisher as champion.
He banned it. Banned it. I I win the I literally the day after I won my first world title at WrestleMania... I get back to San Jose at the Shark Tank and he like, you know, then Vince wants to see it. So I go in the office, he's like sitting there and he does this thing. He's like, 'So, um, you know, the the the stomp, I think. Um, I think we're going to we're going to move in a different direction.'
3The Audience's Ultimate Power in Character Assignment
Rollins asserts that despite creative team suggestions, the audience ultimately decides whether a wrestler is cheered (babyface) or booed (heel). He cites Roman Reigns, who only found his top-tier character after turning heel in response to years of audience rejection as a babyface, and Becky Lynch, who was forced into a babyface role by fan reaction despite initial plans for her to be a heel.
Ultimately the audience. Ultimately the audience does... Roman Reigns is a guy that they wanted to be a baby face, the top baby face for a long, long time. And they were like, 'You're we're going to do this. I'm going to force this to happen.' And it never took the way it needed to. When Roman Reigns turns heel, 2020, 2021 changed everything for him.
4The Strategic Value of Weight Class-Free Matchups in Pro Wrestling
Rollins highlights that professional wrestling's unique appeal lies in its absence of weight classes, allowing for 'wild matchups' not seen in other sports. This creates compelling narratives where smaller, agile wrestlers can overcome larger opponents by exploiting weaknesses, akin to superhero battles, enhancing the storytelling and fan engagement.
I love the fact in wrestling, pro wrestling, that we don't have the weight classes. That you get to see wild matchups that you never get to see anywhere else. That that Seth Rollins can go toe-to-toe with Brock Lesnar, that he can find a way to figure out the beast, that he can use his strengths against Brock Lesnar's weaknesses.
5WWE's Evolution Towards Family-Friendly Policies
Rollins notes a significant shift in WWE's corporate culture, becoming much more family-friendly. This includes accommodating unique situations like his and Becky Lynch's, where both parents are active wrestlers, ensuring their child always has a parent present despite demanding travel schedules. This contrasts sharply with past eras of constant touring.
They're so much better now than they than than days past where they are more familyfriendly. They are like, 'Hey, let's make this work.' And there's not a lot of like Becky and I are pretty unique in the sense that we both do the gig, right?
Bottom Line
The 'butterfly effect' of early life decisions can dramatically alter a career path, as Rollins reflects that his current WWE career would not exist if his mother had stayed with his biological father.
Even seemingly small personal choices or circumstances in youth can have profound, unforeseen impacts on long-term professional trajectories.
Individuals should recognize the potential long-term ripple effects of significant life decisions and appreciate how early personal foundations shape future opportunities.
Crossover celebrity involvement in WWE is primarily a strategy to attract 'new eyes' to the product, rather than a slight against full-time talent, and few celebrities develop a genuine, lasting passion for the demanding schedule.
While established talent may feel their 'spot' is taken, these high-profile appearances serve as marketing funnels, ultimately benefiting the entire roster by expanding the audience. The challenge is converting casual celebrity fans into dedicated wrestling fans.
WWE can optimize its integration of celebrities by focusing on storylines that highlight the full-time roster's talent to these new viewers, and by identifying and nurturing the rare few celebrities who show true commitment beyond a one-off appearance.
Opportunities
Professional Wrestling Training Academy
Seth Rollins owns and operates the 'Black and Brave Wrestling Academy' in Davenport, Iowa, which has been functional for over 11 years. This model demonstrates a viable business for experienced wrestlers to train the next generation, leveraging their expertise and network. The academy provides structured training, mentorship, and a pathway into the industry, addressing the 'marathon, not a sprint' aspect of wrestling careers.
Key Concepts
The Marathon, Not a Sprint
Success in professional wrestling, and many demanding careers, is a long-term endeavor. Rollins emphasizes that aspiring wrestlers must understand and embrace the extended timeline and the continuous process of improvement, rather than expecting quick results.
Embrace the Suffering
Rollins highlights that enduring hardship, financial struggle, and physical pain on the independent circuit was integral to his journey. He advocates for loving the process, even the difficult parts, as this resilience is what ultimately leads to success and makes the journey memorable.
Lessons
- Cultivate a deep love for the process, not just the outcome: Rollins emphasizes that the 'journey' and 'suffering' are what you remember and value most in a long career.
- Be adaptable to external forces: Recognize that in performance-driven industries, the audience or market often dictates your direction (e.g., character turns), and resisting can be counterproductive.
- Build a strong support system: Having a partner who understands the unique demands of your career, especially in high-travel or unconventional fields, is crucial for long-term personal and professional stability.
- Prioritize self-care and family as you age: As Rollins hit 35 and became a father, he adjusted his intense training regimen and travel to maintain health and spend time with family, highlighting the need for evolving priorities.
Seth Rollins' Playbook for Aspiring Pro Wrestlers
Understand it's a marathon, not a sprint: Mentally prepare for a long, arduous journey, not quick success.
Learn to enjoy the process: Embrace the grind, the travel, the small crowds, and the continuous effort to improve.
Set high goals but focus on small steps: Dream big (WrestleMania main event) but concentrate on daily improvements and incremental progress.
Be willing to suffer more than anyone: Cultivate extreme resilience and a willingness to endure hardship for your passion.
Focus on your own journey: Avoid comparing your path to others, especially those who seem to have 'easier' routes; concentrate on your personal growth and next steps.
Notable Moments
First professional wrestling show at age 5, seeing 'real-life superheroes' like Hulk Hogan and Legion of Doom, which immediately captivated him.
This formative experience ignited his lifelong passion for wrestling, establishing the foundational dream that would drive his entire career.
At age 14, he declared to his parents that he would quit basketball to become a professional wrestler, a decision met with sadness but ultimately supported.
This marked his unwavering commitment to wrestling, leading him to actively pursue training in public speaking, acting, and physical fitness, shaping his early development.
The unexpected and shocking breakup of 'The Shield' in 2014, where Rollins betrayed Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley), was a pivotal moment in WWE history.
This betrayal launched Rollins' singles career and was a 'paradigm shift' for all three members, enabling their individual ascensions to the top of the industry.
A fan attacked Rollins during a live event, but he chose not to press charges after learning the individual was catfished and had mental health issues, opting to seek help for the fan instead.
This demonstrates Rollins' empathy and mature handling of a dangerous situation, prioritizing the fan's well-being over punitive action, reflecting a deeper understanding of complex human behavior.
Quotes
"I'm willing to suffer more than anybody. I don't care. I love it and I will suffer until good things happen."
"It's the process. It's the people you met along the way. And it's the process of getting there that you will look back on fondly."
"You need clubs to beat him up? Are you really that tough?"
"If there's business to be done, that's bigger than me. That's bigger than my grievances."
"I'm in the conflict business, man. I'm in the I there's no money to be made if everybody revolution."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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