Seth Rollins Return Must Have Unique Approach from Last WWE Run

Seth Rollins ended 2015 in an unexpected way: watching WWE at home.

The former world heavyweight champion suffered multiple injuries to his right knee at a house show in Dublin. His injuries, consisting of a torn right ACL, MCL and medial meniscus, will sideline him past WrestleMania. His return may occur closer to SummerSlam.

Rollins, who suffered the injuries as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, was supposed to fight Roman Reigns at Survivor Series to defend his title. In Rollins’ absence, Sheamus and Roman Reigns have alternately exchanged possession of the WWE title.

Rollins is an afterthought; he’s irrelevant in the title hunt. The former champion can only lay claim that he’s a 2015 Slammy Award winner for Superstar of the Year.

Despite that accolade, obviously, Rollins must prefer being champion instead. He went from having it all to going full tilt in an instant.

It’s all the more important when Rollins returns that he does so with a huge impact. The issue is how to book the former champion months from now.

Maybe that’s why seeds should be planted now instead of later. If WWE Creative were smart, it would use Rollins as a long-term investment. Rollins can still be relevant if booked right during his rehabilitation. He can also develop his character and show a new dimension to his slimy persona.

When Rollins returns, he must have a unique approach from his last WWE run.

It all begins, ironically, with WWE’s relationship with ESPN. The worldwide leader in sports dedicates a weekly segment to WWE with anchor Jonathan Coachman interviewing current WWE Superstars.

Rollins was one of the first guests featured while serving as the world champion. It appears to be a good time to interview him again.

Interviewing Rollins now would reveal to fans what he is thinking while rehabilitating. This would do wonders for Rollins, keeping him relevant and reminding WWE fans he’s still a prominent factor.

WWE Creative can extend that through WrestleMania. Rollins won’t be active on a physical level, but his presence and vocal work are assets that can be utilized to hype up his return.

Rollins shouldn’t come back as a former champion but more as a force. Examine the blueprint Brock Lesnar builds every time he returns. His build-up commands attention and excites any WWE fan.

Rollins is no Lesnar, but that doesn’t mean WWE shouldn’t follow suit with the video packages. Make the fans remember who Rollins was before his injury and then announce his return, whenever that may be.

Once Rollins returns, it would be unwise to put him back to where he was. Rollins can’t slime his way back to the top. He can’t just join forces with The Authority once again. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon did pick someone else to carry the title for him in Sheamus.

Rollins should be bitter and resentful that WWE carried on from him. WWE should let his ego run wild and have him take his aggression out on Triple H.

Granted, Reigns did it first at TLC. However, Rollins has the more personal history with Triple H. Though The Game has become a mentor to Rollins, he’s moved on.

The same man that passed the Pedigree to him has moved on to bigger things. How is that not the focus of Rollins’ return?

Rollins needs to be built up as a force to be reckoned with. This is the former world champion who aligned with Triple H to gain power. He deserves all the hype needed when he returns.

The main thing is to have him be unpredictable. Keep the fans guessing whether he sides with The Authority once again.

Seth Rollins’ return must have a strong, exclusive and unique approach from his last WWE run. Whether WWE Creative is up to task remains to be seen.