Seth Rollins Doesn't Need to Win Title at Royal Rumble to Become Top Star

As Seth Rollins stood over WWE champion Brock Lesnar and John Cena after hitting both men with the curb stomp, it became abundantly clear that the Money in the Bank briefcase holder didn’t need to win at the Royal Rumble to become a top star.

Just being involved in the main event program with two of the biggest stars in the sport has elevated his status among hardcore and casual wrestling fans alike. After watching Monday’s Raw, Rollins truly is the future of the WWE.

Everyone knows that Cena and Lesnar are bona fide pay-per-view main eventers, but Rollins has never been put in that same conversation. While the involvement of The Authority has made him look weak at times, Rollins has asserted his dominance in key moments and did it once again at the contract signing.

Not only was Rollins perceived as a deserving contender in the main event from a storyline perspective, but he also managed to stand toe-to-toe on the mic with two of the bests in Paul Heyman and John Cena.

Being put in the same conversation as Cena and Lesnar is enough to get a rub, but raising his game to the level he did Monday proved that the WWE made the correct decision putting Rollins with The Authority and in the Royal Rumble title match.

There are concerns about the Money in the Bank briefcase holder being in the championship bout. But the fact that the company is pushing that Rollins essentially has two chances to win at the Royal Rumble has added an unexpected element of surprise to what would have been just another Lesnar vs. Cena match.

Another aspect of Rollins' addition to this fight that is not being talked about is the high-flying style that he will introduce. The previous bouts between Cena and Lesnar have been straight-up brawls, but Rollins will ensure an element of finesse in the championship match.

As if rising to the occasion and stealing the show from an in-ring perspective wouldn't be enough, Rollins' involvement will also give him valuable experience in world-championship matches before he eventually wins the title. Learning on the fly from two legends like Cena and Lesnar will only help his growth as a top star in the WWE as well.

There is little to no doubt that Rollins will take the pin in this match, regardless of who the eventual winner will be, but the loss won’t do any long-term damage. After a brutal battle that proves Rollins deserves to be on the same level as his combatants, fans will be talking about how well he performed and not how he was defeated.

Add in a possible cash-in tease if Cena and Lesnar continue to fight even after the match is over, and the loss will be forgotten almost immediately.

While Rollins may not walk out of the 2015 Royal Rumble with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, he will secure his spot in the upper echelon of trusted performers with an elite performance against two of the biggest names in the business.

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