Seth Rollins' career in WWE has been defined by one swerve after another, with the latest example taking place at SummerSlam in August. Most believed his injury over the summer was a work, so it was no surprise to see him cash in against CM Punk to win the World Heavyweight Championship.
Shortly after Rollins won the title, an actual injury derailed the original plans for The Visionary. Rollins tore his rotator cuff during a match against Cody Rhodes at Crown Jewel in October, and the initial timeline placed his return around Wrestlemania in April.
By most accounts, Rollins' timeline hasn't changed, but that hasn't stopped the question from being asked: Will Rollins be a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble on Saturday? He was asked that question during an appearance on ESPN's First Take, and his facial expression would suggest he may have another swerve up his sleeve.
Rollins' response, however, all but ruled out him out as a participant.
"I'll give it away, I'm not going to be at the Rumble. I just can't," Rollins said. "I would love to be in there and dump all of those dudes over the top rope, punch my card to WrestleMania but the doctors just are not going to let it happen this time around unfortunately."
WWE fans think ESPN just spoiled Seth Rollins' return
In the world of WWE, never say never. Even with Rollins indicating that he's not going to be at Saturday's show, there's a non-zero chance that this is another work. There would be some danger in WWE falling back on this trope once again, but if executed the right way, it could rival John Cena's return at the Royal Rumble in 2008.
From a creative perspective, WWE may have left the door open for Rollins' early return with how The Vision has been treading water in recent weeks.
After losing to CM Punk in a championship bout during the first Monday Night Raw of the New Year, Bron Breakker has been thrown into a weird back-and-forth storyline with Adam Pearce. Short of it leading to Pearce's removal as the authority figure on Raw, it's hard ot see what the payoff will be.
Meanwhile, Bronson Reed, Austin Theory, and Logan Paul are teetering between being involved in the main event scene with Breakker, and a mid-card tag team feud.
Perhaps, this is because Rollins will make a surprise return on Saturday and wind up costing his former running. Again, it's not likely, but WWE has fooled us many times before.