Seth Rollins May Be the Biggest Superstar from the Shield

While watching The Shield evolve into bigger stars over the last few weeks, it has become increasingly difficult to imagine that Seth Rollins was seen as an afterthought when the trio debuted in November of 2012. If we've learned nothing else during this face turn heading into WrestleMania, it's that Rollins may turn out to be the biggest star of this uber-talented stable. 

Of the three, Rollins was the first guy signed to a WWE developmental contract. Inked during his run as Ring of Honor champ, the former Tyler Black was viewed by many as a gifted in-ring performer with little charisma and poor mic skills. 

He looked too much like CM Punk at the time. He was another generic indy wrestler with long dark hair and a beard. His physique was common. His size was average for a wrestler. Nothing about him really stood out.

This was August of 2010, which was generally a sad time to be a wrestling fan. The Nexus was fizzling after a hot debut, and we were headed to a WrestleMania headlined by John Cena (with The Rock walking around backstage). I think The Miz might have been involved in that match somehow. It's hard to remember a champion less relevant. 

My point is that few people saw much hope for the future of young talent when WWE appeared intent on bringing back part-timers to sell shows. Building new stars was passe in the eyes of Vince McMahon. 

But, fingers crossed, that seems to have shifted in the last two years. Daniel Bryan will headline WrestleMania XXX. Bray Wyatt, who wasn't on the roster at WrestleMania last year, will face the company's top star and the biggest draw in the world.

And Rollins-mania has been running wild on Kane and the WWE for the last few weeks. 

Let's go back to the launch of NXT as its own roster and promotion. Instead of running obstacle courses and having spelling contests on television, embarrassing its young talent, WWE moved the NXT name and brand south. Florida Championship Wrestling, the company's developmental league, became NXT.

NXT needed to crown a champ.

Rollins competed in the Gold Rush tournament, defeating Drew McIntyre, Michael McGillicutty (Curtis Axel) and Jinder Mahal to become the first NXT champ. With half his head now bleached blond, Rollins had a look and style that stood out as clearly better than the rest in NXT at the time. 

He was still NXT champion when The Shield debuted, and he carried the new attitude back to Full Sail University before dropping the belt to Big E Langston and becoming a full-time guy on the main roster. 

For the better part of The Shield's run, Rollins has been the work-rate guy. He takes the beatings in the tag matches. He wrestles the bigger names and jobs to them in singles matches. He was the best in-ring talent in the trio from the beginning, complementing Dean Ambrose's work on the mic and Roman Reigns' Hollywood looks. 

But something has shifted since before the Royal Rumble. When tension began to be teased within The Shield, it was Rollins who came to the forefront. The "architect" moniker became synonymous with Rollins. Rather than watching two passing megastars-in-waiting in Ambrose and Reigns, Rollins was step-for-step with them.

Since the beginning of the face turn, which I place during the feud with the Wyatt Family, Rollins began to shine. I've long believed that Rollins would break out from the pack if given the opportunity to work a babyface style. 

Few others can spark a crowd with a feverish comeback the way Rollins can. The only man on the roster right now that does it better is Bryan, and that's because he's had longer to develop his move set and prime the audience for the big rally. In time, Rollins could reach that level. His look and style during the rally is, dare I say, reminiscent of Shawn Michaels. 

Rollins' in-ring work never concerned me. I knew he'd be able to go between the ropes with anyone, but so could Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel. Rollins had to give us something more than great bumps and big spots. 

In working with Ambrose and other WWE producers, Rollins has committed himself to developing his on-air personality and bringing the goods on the mic. He has yet to cut a long promo, but he's sharp and efficient with the lines he gets. He's convincing in his role. He clearly buys into what he's saying, and it translates to a strong reception by fans. 

WWE will likely keep Ambrose and Rollins together as a tag team after WrestleMania, whether they are with Reigns or not. I'd like to see the company keep The Shield together as a babyface unit with Ambrose and Rollins competing for the tag titles and putting on great matches. 

Reigns will get the first crack at superstardom because he possesses the tangible look the WWE desires for its top guys. But Rollins has grown the most in my eyes since coming up to the main roster, and he could ultimately be the biggest star of the three if he continues that evolution. 

Of course, I could write the same number of words about how Ambrose could be the biggest star, and we all know why Reigns could be the future poster boy of the WWE. These are three immensely talented guys, and I believe the WWE knows exactly what it has. I believe in The Shield.