Good luck figuring out what the actual issue is with Seth Rollins physically. The challenge is deciphering the reality from the kayfabe as it relates to his health over the past year or more, his latest hiatus following Wrestlemania 40 being completely authentic in that his knee indeed severely injured and required weeks of recovery.
His recent return was a pleasant surprise (stating he was medically cleared) and instantly reignited his feud with CM Punk heading into Summerslam 2024 and, thanks to his role as special guest referee in Punk’s match and eventual loss to Drew McIntyre.
But when Punk took to the ring on WWE RAW to follow Summerslam to confront Punk, he was eventually met with a brutal sneak attack and pulverization at the hands of Bronson Reed — leaving Rollins spitting up blood en route to being transported to a local hospital.
WATCH: BRONSON REED ANNIHILATES SETH ROLLINS ON RAW
And now, per general manager Adam Pearce, Rollins will again be put on the shelf.
“Our medical staff has informed me that Seth Rollins has in fact suffered several cracked ribs and internal bruising and, as such, will be out for an unspecified amount of time. Bronson Reed, because of this last Monday on RAW, has been fined a massive yet undisclosed amount of money, which he has appealed. I do not expect that Mr. Reed will be happy when I deny that appeal.”
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That’s the kayfabe version of events, sure, but there’s a non-kayfabe set as well.
It’s been reported that this was a pre-planned strategy to write Rollins off of the program for what is truly an unspecified period of time, but not due to any major issue such as cracked ribs or the like; but instead due to “chronic issues” that are not “major concerns”, per Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter
WATCH: REIGNS DOES SPECIFIC GESTURE TO INSANE OVATION
The latter is obviously much better news, though it indicates Reed was used as an eraser to give Rollins an out (much like Bron Breakker did to Ricochet this year), and after finally getting the feud the Universe has been craving between Rollins and Punk, it’s now a waiting game to see when it can gain more traction.
All eyes are on the “Bash in “Berlin PLE on Aug. 31, at least hopefully.
Meanwhile, Rollins' wife, Becky "The Man" Lynch, remains a free agent while enjoying a hiatus of her own, albeit a contractual one.
So don't make any plans on seeing anyone from the Rollins' household inside of a WWE ring any time soon.
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