Seth Rollins is ready to be a fighting champion.
At WWE Night of Champions, Rollins defeated AJ Styles to win the new WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Rollins has made it clear that he intends to be a fighting champion and a workhorse, and he kicked off his reign with a win on the May 29 episode of WWE Raw. There, he and Styles defeated Finn Balor and Damian Priest.
Speaking on WWE's The Bump, Rollins described what winning the title meant to him. He made it clear that it has been a long road to this point, but the timing is right, and he's ready to be the world champion that Raw has missed.
"It has been a long road, it really has. Nearly four years since I’ve held a world heavyweight championship, and I said it on Raw a little bit, lots of ups, lots of downs. The audience, they love me, they hate me, they like me, they don’t like me. I’ve loved every second of it. It’s been a transformative four years. I’m a completely different person than I was the last time I held a world heavyweight championship. So this time, it really does feel right. I’m excited to bring a world title back to Raw, a show that has sorely missed a world champion in quite some time, and I plan on defending that title, being present, being the man on Monday nights like I have been, but this time with a title on my shoulder," Rollins said.
Rollins was asked about competing in his third match for an inaugural championship, as he previously wrestled for both the NXT Championship and the Universal Championship. He noted that it's always special to have the opportunity to do something for the first time. Rollins highlighted the importance of introducing the new title, as there's a lot of competition at the top in WWE, and they needed a new prize to fight for.
“It’s special. Any time you’re able to do something for the first time, it’s special, and it feels special. This one was the biggest of the three, and I’ll tell you why. It’s because this was a culmination. This title doesn’t exist if our industry and our company isn’t so healthy with incredible talent across the board. There was a need for a title on Monday nights. There was a need for a new title because everybody is so good. You look across the board, myself, AJ Styles, all the SmackDown guys, really. Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, Gunther. You look at Raw, you got Cody Rhodes, you got Kevin, you got Sami. There’s just tons of guys, tons of competition at the top, and we needed a prize to fight for since our Universal Champion wants to keep his part-time schedule. So we gotta have a title. I was more than thrilled to have it. I’m more than thrilled to be the guy to usher in this new era, an era of change," Rollins said.
The WWE World Heavyweight Champion went on to emphasize that he wants competition, and he's ope to facing anyone from any brand. He stated that he wants the fight, as he's determined to elevate himself and the title.
“I said it in the beginning. I want the competition. I want anybody from any brand. I don’t care if it’s SmackDown, Raw, NXT, I don’t care if it’s from anywhere across the globe. I want people to come through that curtain, I want them to challenge me, whether it’s a shot at the title, whether it’s the title itself, whether it’s a tag match, six-man, cage match, doesn’t matter to me. I want the fight. I want the excitement. I want to elevate myself and this title along with me," he said.
When asked about his previous comment that he wanted those at the top of the card to take more risks, Rollins explained that he wants to open up the field. He pointed out that Roman Reigns picks his opponents, whereas he wants everyone to come after him. Rollins stated that he's more ready than ever, and he wants to ride his hot streak until he can't do it anymore.
“Just open it up. Roman Reigns hand-picks his opponents. You can see it. He’s been doing it for years. It’s a smart move. It’s a smart move if you’re only interested in yourself. But I’ve been interested in myself for a long time. Myself is great, but also myself is fine. I’m going to be fine, so let’s open it up. I want everybody coming. I want the wolves snipping at my heels. I want to run, I want to climb the mountain, let’s go. I want everybody chasing me to the top. I want to raise the entire scene. I want all the ships to come up with me. I’m ready for that challenge. I want it now more than ever. I’m more ready than I’ve ever been. I’m just hitting my prime, I’m just hitting my hot steak. Let’s ride it til I can’t do it no more," Rollins said.
AJ Styles previously noted that it's hard not to argue that the new world title isn't secondary to Roman Reigns' championships. Click here to see what he had to say.
Will Ospreay recently expressed his interest in facing Rollins. Check out his comments here.
Rollins recently filmed for Captain America: New World Order. More information is available here.
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