Seth Rollins explains why his NXT pro would have been CM Punk if season of NXT progressed to that point and what his relationship with Cody Rhodes is like.
Seth Rollins is at the top of the Raw roster currently and Punk is at the top of the AEW Collision roster. In the past year Punk has been a very divisive person in wrestling. He had the famous brawl with Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks. It doesn’t help that he can be an abrasive person.
Seth Rollins On CM Punk
Seth Rollins wasn’t a big fan of Punk during the aftermath of the brawl. He even went as far as to call him a cancer in the wrestling business. It doesn’t seem like Rollins likes Punk very much which makes it odd for him to say Punk would have or should have been his NXT pro.
RELATED: Seth Rollins Explains Why He Hates CM Punk And Logan Paul
In a recent interview with SHAK Wrestling, Rollins was asked about his lost NXT season and why he thinks his pro would have been Punk back in the day.
“2011, 2012? I mean, at that point in my career … I would’ve been very closely aligned with CM Punk,” Rollins said. “He would’ve probably been the guy, if he was going to be involved with NXT, that they would’ve paired with me based on our personality types and our upbringing.”
– Seth Rollins –
NXT Used To Be Very Different
Prior to the current version of NXT which is now just WWE’s third brand which showcases the WWE stars of tomorrow it was much different. It was more of a reality show and had established stars take “rookie” wrestlers under their wing and help create stars. The “rookies” competed for a spot on the WWE roster not unlike Tough Enough.
In 2012 FCW became the new NXT and Seth Rollins was a standout in the new NXT. Shortly after the rebrand he became the inaugural NXT champion. Currently Rollins is the inaugural World Heavyweight champion. He seems to be pretty good at being the first ever to do something.
The AEW Version Of The Summer Of Punk On Collision
Punk over in AEW is also doing well. AEW made a third AEW show called AEW Collision and made Punk the main guy. Currently Punk is feuding with Ricky Starks which gives Starks another big name to test himself against. It is pretty obvious that Starks is someone AEW is getting behind.
RELATED: Cody Rhodes Looks Back Proudly On His Final Days In AEW
Speaking of AEW, one of the founders of AEW, Cody Rhodes is probably the number two guy on RAW. The number one and number two guy being Rollins and Rhodes respectively both fighting for the top spot can create some tension between the pair.,
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated Media, Seth Rollins went into detail about what he and Rhodes’ personal and professional relationship is like.
“Our relationship is very complex,” Seth Rollins said. “I think that’s the best way to put it. I think there’s a mutual respect there. Obviously, I think when you have two guys at our caliber, there’s respect, but there’s also a level of competition. There’s a healthy jealousy in some capacity on both sides. He has mentioned recently that we both [are] vying constantly to be the top guy on the top show ‘Monday Night Raw,‘ and that’s the truth. And so, there’s respect. Friendship, I don’t know that I would go that far, but yeah, it’s very complex situation between the two of us, that’s for sure.” H/T To Wrestling Inc. For Transcription
A Lot Of Respect, But Very Little Friendship
Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes are no strangers to each other in the ring. Rhodes first match back in WWE was at WrestleMania and his opponent was Rollins. It was also Rollins who he faced in a Hell in a Cell match with his torn pec which produced those gnarly pictures with half his body a giant bruise.
Even though Rollins and Rhodes have made it clear they are not friends they have also made it clear that there is a lot of respect shared between the pair. Rollins commends Rhodes’ work ethic and what he has been able to accomplish both outside WWE and since returning. However, the most impressive thing may be being able to create his own legacy outside of his legendary father, Dusty Rhodes’ shadow.
“What Cody’s been able to do, kind of coming out of his father’s shadow, which is a very difficult thing to do, and making his own path,” Rollins said. “And the way he’s done it [is] by being here in WWE, leaving, starting a rival promotion, coming back, and really defying expectations to get to the top of the card and stay at the top of the card. You can’t say anything bad about Cody’s work ethic.”
– Seth Rollins –
Rhodes next big match will be a rematch against Brock Lesnar. Rollins’ next big match will see him defending his World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Balor. Both matches will be taking place this Saturday at SummerSlam.
Who do you think should have been Rollins’ pro for NXT? Would Punk have been the perfect person for him? Who do you think the top guy is on Raw, Rollins or Rhodes? Is the reason their past matches have been so good because they aren’t friends or would being friends have made it even better? Let us know if you would like to see Rhodes go after the World Heavyweight Championship next.
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Sources: SHAK Wrestling, Wrestling Inc., Sports Illustrated Media, Wrestling Inc.
