Why Seth Rollins Owes A Lot Of His Career Success To CM Punk

Highlights

• CM Punk shattered the notion that only big, brawny wrestlers could succeed in WWE, opening doors for smaller talents like Seth Rollins.
• Punk played a crucial role in the formation of The Shield, introducing fresh talent and setting the stage for Rollins' rise to stardom.
• While Rollins acknowledges Punk's impact on his career, he is critical of Punk's recent choices and wishes his head was in the right spot.

CM Punk and Seth Rollins is a dream match waiting to happen in WWE, and their storyline is written in the past more than it is in the present. 2023 witnessed Punk's unexpected return at Survivor Series, a seismic event that set the stage for a clash of titans. Amidst the cheers of fans, one man, Seth Rollins, harbored discontent. Unveiling a web of interconnected influence, Punk claimed a pivotal role in Rollins' ascent. Beyond the spotlight, Punk's impact on Rollins transcends mere rivalry, delving into the origins of The Shield, a force that propelled Rollins to superstardom. As the narrative unfolds, the question lingers: How much does Seth Rollins truly owe to the enigmatic CM Punk?

CM Punk’s Indirect Influence On Seth Rollins' WWE Career

CM Punk Broke The Mold For Smaller Wrestlers

Ever since CM Punk made his shocking return to WWE at Survivor Series 2023 after a decade of being away and on bad terms with the company, the wrestling world has been buzzing with excitement. However, one notable figure who hasn't been thrilled about Punk's return is Seth Rollins. Despite the fans' overwhelming reception of Punk, Rollins has openly shown disdain for the Straight Edge Superstar's comeback. In a WWE 2024 Preview Special interview on Peacock, Punk dropped a bombshell statement claiming that Rollins wouldn't be where he is in WWE if it weren't for Punk. He said:

“I’m in a position where it feels maybe strange, me vocalizing it but I think Seth (Rollins) is a guy, at least I definitely thought it 10 years ago, that he’s a dude that I don’t think would have gotten the opportunities he has gotten if it wasn’t for me. That might hurt some people’s feelings, but facts are facts. They don’t care about your feelings.”

While this might seem like a bold assertion, he has a point. Punk, throughout his career, was a trailblazer who shattered the preconceived notion that only big, brawny wrestlers could achieve success in WWE. Punk, with his smaller stature, proved that talent, charisma, and storytelling could catapult a wrestler to superstardom. This influence extended beyond Punk's in-ring performances; it was a cultural shift in WWE. The landscape changed, and suddenly, wrestlers like Seth Rollins, who didn't fit the traditional mold of a heavyweight, could envision reaching the pinnacle of success in the company.

CM Punk's Heated History With Seth Rollins, Explained

CM Punk Helped Form The Shield In WWE

CM Punk Wanted To Focus On New Stars Like Seth Rollins

The formation of The Shield stands out as a pivotal moment in Seth Rollins' career, and it owes a debt of gratitude to the creative input of CM Punk. The story unfolds in an intriguing revelation on Colt Cabana's Art of Wrestling podcast, where Punk shared insights into his role in shaping the destiny of this groundbreaking faction. WWE, seeking to capitalize on Punk's immense popularity, initially approached him with the idea of leading a heel stable. However, Punk, ever the forward thinker, was dissatisfied with the proposed lineup, which included established names like Big Show and Daniel Bryan. Sensing the potential for something revolutionary, Punk suggested an alternative approach of introducing fresh talent from FCW. He said:

“What happened was, at that time [in WWE] the head writer was Eric Pankowski. He called me up one day, and he was like, ‘Okay, uh, nobody knows you’re going to turn heel, but we want to stick a stable with you. (I said) "I’m willing to do the heel stable thing, but why don’t we pick three guys from FCW that are ready instead of using two guys, you know what I mean?....Ambrose, Rollins, and Chris Hero [Kassius Ohno]. They wanted Roman Reigns. They came to me and they were like, ‘What about Leakee?’ I didn’t… it wasn’t my hill to die on. I said, ‘Sure,’ because it made sense to me.”

The Shield debuted on the main roster, helping Punk out, and then even feuded with him. The Shield's impact extended beyond their in-ring accomplishments; it set the stage for the individual superstardom of its members, including Seth Rollins. The alliance not only elevated Rollins' profile but also laid the foundation for his subsequent achievements as a singles competitor.

In essence, CM Punk's creative vision and willingness to push for new, untested talent played a crucial role in shaping the course of Seth Rollins' career. Without Punk, who knows if Seth would have even been in The Shield?

Seth Rollins Explains Beef With CM Punk, Why He Flipped Out Over Return To WWE

Seth Rollins Acknowledges CM Punk's Influence On His WWE Career

Seth Rollins Still Doesn't Like CM Punk

While Seth Rollins acknowledges CM Punk's significant impact on his career, he's openly critical of Punk's recent choices. In an interview with Covino & Rich, Rollins expressed gratitude for Punk's support but distanced himself from Punk's decisions in the past few years. He said:

“Here’s the thing, I’ll say one thing about Punk. I’ll end it on a positive note with him. That guy has given my career so much that it pains me to have to say bad things about him. He helped me out, he really did. He’s been a good guy to me for a lot of my career. But for whatever reason, for the past maybe six-seven years, he’s in a different headspace, and we’re not on the same page. To see kind of what he’s done and taken and taken, it’s always been about him, I’m not a fan. I’m just not a fan. There’s a place for him, man. He’s got a lot to give. I just wish his head was in the right spot."

This mixed sentiment adds an intriguing layer to their real-life dynamic, which WWE is using to build a compelling storyline for their potential clash.

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