Seth Rollins Deserves the Main Event at WWE Extreme Rules
By Tom Clark
Seth Rollins is one of the most popular Superstars in WWE. He also happens to be one of the best. The man known as The Architect has been on a phenomenal run over the past several months, leading many to consider him the top performer in Vince McMahon’s company.
Indeed it’s hard to argue with that opinion. Seth has really never looked better in the ring and it seems that every time he wrestles, he steals the show. This is nothing new for him of course, as Rollins always steps up when given the opportunity. So maybe he should step up in the main event at Extreme Rules.
It’s an old argument of course but one that just will not die. Many fans believe the main event is more important than any match on the card. They also believe that the best talent should be in the main event because they deserve it. More importantly, they’ve earned it.
That does seem logical, especially in WWE. Fans have always understood that WWE wants hard work and heart from every person that walks in the door. If a Superstar is willing to put his shoulder to the wheel, keep his head down and put in the sweat equity, then he has a good chance of keeping his spot.
If that Superstar keeps delivering on a regular basis, then she has an even better chance of getting a crack at a main event spot. Hard work is indeed the key. But just as fans expect a talent to excel because of work in the ring, WWE always expects just a bit more.
Superstars must deliver on the mic as well. The ability to come out of one’s shell to firmly embrace a character is one that should not go unrecognized. Having that ability and using it to connect to a fickle audience that would love to see a guy fail is an art. There is no denying that.
So when a talent can do all of the above and then some, fans expect a payoff. They expect that talent to rise up and get what he deserves. It’s a natural progression and fans do believe it should be in place for anyone that manages to get over. After all, if a WWE Superstar can’t ever move past his or her station, then why work for WWE at all? Doesn’t everyone want to be the best?
This is where Seth Rollins comes in. Yes, Rollins has put in the work. Yes, Rollins is in the best shape of his life and he’s at the top of his game. But no, he’s not the top guy in WWE. He’s also not a world champion. Many fans are not happy about it and that’s understandable.
Brock Lesnar is an absentee champion. He’s been holding the Universal title hostage for over a year and he’s done it through no fault of his own. Lesnar is only doing what WWE wants him to do. He’s only following the plan.
But while Brock is following another plan that leads to the UFC, Seth Rollins has become the top star on Monday Night Raw. His Intercontinental Championship run solidified him as the primary titleholder of the red brand and it also reminded fans of just how good he really is. If anyone in WWE deserves a chance at the main event of Extreme Rules or any event for that matter, it’s Seth Rollins.
The same could arguably be said for Seth’s Extreme Rules opponent. Dolph Ziggler was the man towing the company line and doing everything asked of him long before Seth and The Shield were even a faction on the main roster.
Dolph is WWE’s go-to guy. He’s the one that takes new faces like Shinsuke Nakamura and gives them their first taste of life in WWE. Ziggler is trusted for what he can do both in the ring and on the mic. He has always had the ability to rise above and achieve more. He was born to be a pro wrestler.
But WWE is supposedly not in the pro wrestling business. Sports entertainment is the name of the game and a guy like Dolph is not always in the lineup. Ziggler could arguably be the best all-around performer on the roster but WWE doesn’t always book him like one.
Most of the time, Ziggler is just in the background. He does have a presence on TV, which means the company wants to use him. But he’s just not on the top tier like he perhaps should be. Fans area aware of that every time they see him work a top guy like Seth Rollins. The two have made magic in the ring every time they touch. Why is Ziggler versus Rollins not the last match at Extreme Rules?
WWE has yet to announce any sort of stipulation for the Roman Reigns versus Bobby Lashley match. No one knows if the winner will face Brock Lesnar. No one knows if the feud will be over after Extreme Rules goes off the air.
But everyone knows that Roman is WWE’s top guy and that’s probably why he’s in the main event. Seth Rollins knows this as well and for him, that knowledge surely comes with full understanding. After all, it’s not always about where a guy is on the card, but whether or not he’s on it at all.
However it does matter to fans. A great number of the WWE faithful hate Roman and that certainly has a lot to do with not wanting him in the main event of Extreme Rules. But the most important element is the red-hot Seth Rollins and the level he’s currently enjoying.
Seth is indeed one of the best. He may be the best. It may only be a matter of time until WWE finally sees that and books him accordingly. The company cannot keep going with Roman versus Brock forever. Eventually, WWE must turn the page. Maybe the time has come to do just that. Maybe Seth Rollins is the next chapter.