FanPost

The Evolution of a Heel, or How Seth Rollins Can Save Wrestling

Megan Elice Meadows at Wikimedia Commons

First, my credentials so you know where I'm coming from: I'm a pro wrestling fan. I grew up in the 80's, so I was a Hulkamaniac as a kid. We all were back then. Then I got older and lost interest. Then I came back right at the dawn of the Attitude Era. Then I left again. I've been back recently, missing much of the last decade. The AE was by far my favorite era, and it's the yardstick I measure today's product against, fair or not. But it's not really about specific content, it's about whether I'm entertained or not. I was often entertained back then. This "Era" has been lacking for me. More specifically to this topic, I love really good heel work, and it's something I don't see enough of lately.

The product has suffered this year, especially as the calendar has turned to fall and winter. There have been moments, like Lesner ending the Streak and Daniel Bryan overcoming at WrestleMania XXX. But they've been few and far between, with most coming much earlier this year. Another big moment that rates right up with those others, the breakup of the Shield, may have ramifications that reach further than the rest.

Some argue it was too soon. But Bryan was gone from the title scene, the Batista experiment was a disaster (through no real fault of his own), Wyatt was stalling, and the Network was a new reality that was impacting the business side. Oh, and the Shield were super-hot. They were feuding with Evolution and were often the highlight of shows. Reigns was on the watch list as the next big thing, Ambrose had a title and Seth was a strong worker, if not the super star of the trio. The sky was the limit as a stable.

Then Plan B happened.

It would have been shocking at any time. Some say they should have spent more time together, they had more to accomplish, or they should have been allowed to peak and then broken up on the downside. But like a team trading a player at a high, so did WWE cash in on Seth Rollins' betrayal when the value of such a move was at its zenith.

Ambrose initially did the most with the momentum created by the split. He went after Rollins like a man possessed, and his creative interference and undermining of Rollins was a highlight of many shows. Ambrose cemented his reputation as the Lunatic Fringe at Seth Rollins' expense. Unfortunately, Ambrose has stalled. Incredibly bad booking has to take a large percentage of blame here. But I personally am a little tired of the Ambrose face-making schtick, and I don't see a lot of growth in the character after the initial break-out. Maybe there's a mid-card limit to the boundaries of the character. Time will tell.

Reigns has the "look" and the pedigree; everyone assumed he was about to get his push. But being on his own shined a light on some serious holes in his game, especially for someone tabbed to be on the fast track. Those holes, coupled with a hernia, may slow his ascension, but will not derail it. Again, time will tell if he's up to the task

That leaves Rollins, the Architect of both the creation and destruction of the Shield. Though his actions were shocking at the highest level, his motivation, perhaps, was not. Neither was HHH's. Though foiled by Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania, HHH and Stephanie still held that they were king-makers. Batista's exit earlier that night left a hole in Evolution. HHH was looking for someone hungry, someone with a chip on his shoulder who was willing to do "What's best for business", as long as it was HHH's business. He wanted to control the "Future". He found that man in Rollins.

At first his choice was questioned. Ambrose exploded on the singles scene, and everyone knew where Reigns was headed. Even when the breakup of the Shield was discussed among fans, Ambrose was mentioned most as the catalyst of a potential split. Whatever friction was evident in the Shield was between Ambrose and Reigns, leaving Rollins as the peacemaker. What was HHH doing with Rollins? Did he take the wrong guy? The answer is a resounding "No". He knew what he was doing. Rollins has become a prototypical heel, and his performance has matured and surpassed that of Ambrose and Reigns. And though he may not be the first WHC of the trio, when his time comes, he may be the best.

My inspiration for writing this is Rollins' performance on last night's Super Smackdown! I saw a complete and nuanced performance from Rollins, a total package. All of these guys take bumps and look flashy in the ring. Sometimes it's the little things that show you "get it" that make all of the difference. Here's how:

  • He continued to sell the injury to his ribs. He walked to the ring with a limp before the Rusev/Ryback spot, he had them taped for his match with Ziggler, and he reacted every time his ribs took contact. This should be elementary, but it rarely happens. Rusev also does it well.
    Ambrose, on the other hand, fresh off a week in which his larynx was crushed by a chair (an injury which sidelined Ricky Steamboat for months), and closed a PPV with a ladder match in which a monitor blew up in his face, sauntered down to the ring with his typical bravado, like he was walking down the street. This is something that has nothing to do with booking or Creative. If you were in a slobberknocker the night before, act like it hurt.
  • In his promo with Renee Young, he insinuated why Lesner (whom he curb stomped previously), allowed him to take the win over Cena, instead of F5ing him too. Somehow, Rollins got the Beast to take out Cena. Why? Rollins explained that his focus is on totally undermining Cena's every undertaking, by any means necessary, to force him to reinstate the Authority.
    Too often lately, things happen that fly in the face of continuity without explanation. Whether or not you like or agree with his reasoning, at least he explained it.
  • This also shows a developing ability to drive others around him to do his will. He's still holding on to J&J without HHH there as backing. He's developing his own spine as a heel, and showing he's not afraid to let others get their hands dirty for him.
  • In this vein, did he have something to do with orchestrating Rusev's attack on Ryback to avoid that match?
  • He's getting better on the mic every day. He doesn't need an advocate or a mouthpiece. He can talk on his own; clearly, succinctly, and with purpose. He does it with charisma and condescension, arrogance and confidence. He is coming into his own as "heel Rollins" on the mic.
  • I haven't seen Ziggler come out and pick a fight recently, but it was done beautifully with Rollins and set up a story-line and match that I was actually interested in. It actually reminded me of AE days, when two guys would come out (without the need of an Authority or GM), jaw at each other because they're both alphas, and set up a match for later that night. Yeah, they mentioned Survivor Series and their limited history together, but it came down to two guys not liking each other and wanting to take a swing at each other. It set a tone for that second hour and really had me looking forward to the match.
  • In the course of telling a story in the ring, Rollins is hitting his stride as a heel. He runs away or leaves the ring if it gets too hot. He often resorts to underhanded tactics. He's not afraid to look like a heel, as long as the outcome is the one he desires.

And there is only one outcome that he desires. It was his motivation for betraying his brothers in the Shield. It is the reason he joined HHH and why he desperately wants the Authority reinstated. It is the reason that briefcase means so much to him. It is his motivation for doing whatever it takes to win. He wants to be the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, the Standard Bearer, the Future, by hell or high water.

Here's to him getting it.

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Cageside Seats readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cageside Seats editors or staff.