Since their explosive debut as part of The Shield, Seth Rollins and Roman rule have dominated the WWE. They have had over a decade of intertwined journeys as allies and enemies, with a tumultuous history that only professional wrestling can deliver.
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WWE has dropped hints that the next chapter of this epic rivalry could be about to begin. That doesn't mean the game will happen in the next few months; With Triple H as head of creative, WWE is playing the long game, and each wrestler must overcome a number of obstacles before this match can take place. But with Raw's recent results, WWE has masterfully crafted a narrative that sees the two Superstars on a collision course. Here's a quick history lesson detailing how this rivalry has evolved over the years and how each chapter has set the stage for a monumental showdown.
Seth Rollins turns on the shield
The Architect is born as Roman Reigns fights to be the face of WWE
The Shield's dissolution in 2014 shocked WWE fans around the world when Seth Rollins attacked Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose with a single chair shot that spanned WWE history. This betrayal marked the birth of “The Architect,” a ruthless, calculating Rollins who embraced the corporate side of WWE and allied himself with the Authority to further his ambitions.
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Meanwhile, Reigns struggled to establish himself as the projected face of the company, battling audience reaction, high expectations, and the burden of becoming the new centerpiece of WWE. Although he still had success, he lacked the admiration and respect that other top stars, including Seth Rollins, received from fans. It's safe to assume that Reigns hated everything about Seth and that the way he was perceived by the WWE Universe led to him becoming the ruthless head of the table.
Roman Reigns hits GOD mode, Seth Rollins plays second fiddle
The two meet without there being a clear winner
Years after The Shield disbanded, Roman Reigns rose to an untouchable level as tribal chief. His “God Mode” personality allowed Reigns to embrace his natural charisma and lead the bloodline, demanding loyalty and respect as he ascended to his throne. Many have hypothesized that this all stems from Rollins' betrayal years ago: his trust was limited only to his family and that he would do anything to be “recognized” – something that would give him as a clear babyface would not have happened.
Despite being a multi-time champion in his own right, Seth Rollins was often overshadowed by Roman, whose flamboyant personality and unmatched talent in the ring rarely received the same reverence. The two clashed while Roman was holding his record-breaking title reign at Royal Rumble 2022, where Seth trolled Roman with his Shield appearance and gear. Rollins won the match by disqualification after Reigns refused to let go of his guillotine choke, screaming, “He won't allow me to let him go.” a line that brilliantly had a double meaning.
WrestleMania 40 has written a new chapter in the Shield Saga
Seth Rollins' sacrifice brought redemption while Roman remains stuck in the past
While WrestleMania 40 was Cody Rhodes' crowning achievement, it subtly represented a pivotal moment in The Shield's saga, as Seth Rollins put his body and reputation on the line to achieve some kind of redemption. Not only did he do Cody right by helping him even the odds against The Bloodline, but Rollins' willingness to sacrifice himself also created an emotional arc that symbolized his growth and willingness to face the legacy he left behind shared with Reigns.
However, Roman seemed unable and unwilling to leave the burden of his past behind him, He chose to give Rollins his own iconic chair photo instead of finishing Cody off. As we all know, Rhodes took advantage of Roman's temporary failure and blind hatred and dethroned the tribal chief thanks to Seth Freakin' Rollins.
WarGames renews the fire in Seth Rollins
Will Rollins join his nemesis to defeat Bronson Reed?
As predicted by Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns was left all alone after his loss at WrestleMania 40: Solo Sikoa usurped the bloodline throne, destroying Jimmy Uso and Paul Heyman and giving birth to a new bloodline that included Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa . However, family is more important than anything, and The Usos and Roman Reigns recently reunited with Sami Zayn to re-form The OG Bloodline, at least for their fight against Solo's Bloodline at WarGames.
On the final episode of Raw, both Zayn and Sikoa attempted to recruit Seth Rollins to their team, with Rollins rejecting both of their advances. He told Sami that he was crazy, that he had done everything in his power to take Reigns down, and that he knew Roman better than anyone. As if that wasn't enough of a hint of unfinished business, when Solo approached him, Seth let it be known that the next time he's in the ring with Roman Reigns, he's going to “stomp his head into the ground.” before calling Solo a “Roman Reigns wannabe.”
*Spoilers for next week's episode of Raw*
It seems Solo didn't take Seth's words well, and on next week's taped episode of Raw, Solo cost Rollins his match against Bronson Reed and raised his hand, seemingly setting the stage for Reed to team up with Sikoas Bloodline for WarGames -Match would team up.
Will an angry Rollins put aside his differences with Roman to join the OG bloodline and defeat their rivals?
Roman Reigns must atone for his sins
The Shield showdown is happening sooner than expected
Both Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns have their hands full at the moment. Roman tries to regain everything he lost while Seth deals with the man who put him on the shelf. WWE has announced multiple storylines at once, with Seth and CM Punk also having unfinished business following Punk's return. However, under Triple H, nothing happens for no reason – with WWE dropping hints and reminding fans of The Shield drama, it's safe to assume that the groundwork is being laid for an inevitable match between Seth and Roman.
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Although it is difficult to predict when it could happen (is it a program before or after WrestleMania 41? The match may even take place at WrestleMania 41) Roman must face Seth so that his character can develop further. It's time for Reigns to face his past and seek his own redemption. He hasn't fully understood the error of his ways as a tribal chief, and a showdown with the man he once called his brother could make for an amazing character arc Roman can finally “let go”.
