Seth Rollins Has Been Forced on Fans Since Split from the Shield

On June 2, 2014, Seth Rollins turned on The Shield and almost immediately became the top heel in WWE.

Four weeks later, Rollins captured the elusive Money in the Bank briefcase. Last week on Raw, WWE booked Rollins in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at Royal Rumble.

Yet, somehow, fans seem to think Roman Reigns is being forced on them.

"

WWE trying SOOOOO hard to get Roman Reigns over but it just looks so forced. The crowd like him. Stop it now or they will turn...horribly.

— Mr Pedro (@PeteRoe123) January 6, 2015"

"

The difference between Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns, Daniel got himself over.. Roman Reigns is being forced upon us.

— Denial Emu (@TubbyEmu) December 9, 2014"

"

The Roman Reigns push needs to be booked less 'FORCED' and more 'Daniel Bryan ESQUE' IMO

— PWMSCOOPS.COM (@ProWrestlingMag) July 25, 2014"

The only thing forced about Roman Reigns are his promos. It's no secret Reigns is WWE's current heir apparent to unseat John Cena as the promotion's top babyface. This past summer, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (via WrestlingInc.com) reported tentative plans for Reigns to face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 31.

Since his return, however, Reigns settled into a midcard feud with The Big Show. Raw seldom kicks off with a Reigns promo.

Meanwhile, Rollins and The Authority at the top of the show is status quo. When Reigns speaks, it's positioned in the middle of the show during brief, usually awkward, backstage interviews.

With the naked eye, it's easy to confuse Rollins as the future of the WWE. His nickname is literally "the undisputed future of the WWE."

During Raw's opening segment, Reigns stood quietly among a sea of WWE talent. Rollins was given top billing as a member of The Authority. He received his own entrance, and The Authority gifted him a championship opportunity against Brock Lesnar and John Cena.

Rollins' background as an independent wrestling standout in ROH renders him mostly exempt from criticism by the Internet Wrestling Community. Yet it's Rollins, not Reigns, who is currently feuding with John Cena. It's Rollins, not Reigns, who will headline the wrestling main event of the Royal Rumble.

And it's Rollins, not Reigns, who is one surprise Royal Rumble appearance from being overexposed.

Regardless of what's in store for Reigns, WWE's future currently comes with an asterisk. The chances of Rollins successfully cashing in his Money in the Bank contract remain high. The Money in the Bank briefcase was introduced in 2005. Only twice has the winner failed to win a world championship.

Rollins' sudden rise to the main event is part of his sellout gimmick. But Rollins as a world champion will not connect with fans if it's forced.

Rollins is very effective as a heel. Despite his aforementioned independent wrestling background, he doesn't receive defiant cheers from meta fans. Chants of "you sold out" follow his every appearance. Rollins' character is one who receives countless opportunities as the golden boy of The Authority.

But as this trend continues, Rollins being forced on fans will become more than just a storyline.

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