Seth Rollins Returns to WWE with Major Momentum After Perfect Raw Appearance

When Seth Rollins entered the ring on Raw Monday night, fans were jubilant.

Less than 24 hours earlier, The Architect dropped world heavyweight champion Roman Reigns in the middle of that same ring, announcing his return to WWE with, ahem, authority.

"

Our savior is back #Raw #1200 pic.twitter.com/crC6hSFG1l

— Lee (@TheQueenHEEL) May 24, 2016"

Monday night served as one part celebration—for overcoming a devastating knee injury in John Cena-esque speed—and one part declaration, announcing his intent to acquire the championship he never lost.

And in between, Rollins reminded fans that he didn't need their support to achieve any of those feats, that the former world champion is, first and foremost, the best heel in the business.

Greeted Like a Hero, Responded Like a Villain

When Rollins' music hit on Monday night, the Baltimore crowd erupted in joy, as if welcoming back a prodigal son.

The reaction was almost as loud as it was the night before at Extreme Rules, when Rollins surprised the crowd in Newark, New Jersey, planting the victorious Reigns with a Pedigree as 15,963 WWE fans screamed for more.

The thing is, Rollins wasn't always so beloved.

In fact, six months ago, many of those same fans—both casual ticket-buyers and diehards—despised The Architect. Whether because he was considered too brash, too weak or a little of both, Rollins was ridiculed by the majority.

On Raw, Rollins reminded us of this as only he could, taking the good will that had built up for the past six months and tossing it aside—lighting it on fire, as Rollins would say.

It was art imitating life, and it was glorious.

Before he injured his knee at a house show in Dublin, wrestling pundits—from Bleacher Report's own Ryan Dilbert to the legendary Jim Ross—called Rollins' title reign one of the weakest in WWE history. Just days before Rollins' injury, Ross wrote, "The booking of WWE champion Seth Rollins to rarely win on TV and to be an enhanced chickens--t heel is a head-scratcher."

Post-injury, Rollins' value to WWE was immediately realized. Reigns' push to the vacated belt, mixed in with a Sheamus world title reign, soured fans.

Reigns, who was on the cusp of acceptance by many, became the face of the company overnight—a role he not only wasn't accustomed to but failed at miserably with awkward promos.

Add in the fact that Internet Wrestling Community darling Dean Ambrose was turned into a sort of sidekick, and fans revolted quite quickly.

As the calendar turned to 2016, fans began counting down to Rollins' return. Anticipation grew each time a rumor of him appearing backstage at an event sprang forth. Plus, with each Reigns victory, fans grew more and more restless for The Architect to claim what they now believed was rightfully his.

On Monday, he laid out that grand plan amid cheers from the WWE Universe. Only he didn't relish in their adulation. He reminded everyone that they didn't want him as champion, always looking for the next best thing.

What they didn't realize, he not so subtly reminded them, was that he was the best thing. As he did, amid the overwhelming cheers, one could hear a faint dissension among the masses in Baltimore.

And it was glorious.

Rollins Riding Momentum Heading into WWE Title Match

If his return wasn't enough, acting Raw general manager Shane McMahon announced what many had been hoping for: Rollins and Reigns will headline WWE Money in the Bank 2016 and fight for the WWE title.

For as much as Rollins and Reigns have headlined WWE over the last two years, these two have never faced each other for the title. Hell, their last singles match was in March of last year, per ProFightDB.com.

It's the perfect time to have this match as well.

If Reigns vs. Rollins had occurred in the middle or at the end of 2015, there surely would have been a screwjob of some kind thanks to The Authority, and fans would have continued to question whether either man was right to lead the company.

Now, with Reigns continuing to roll along and defeat the best WWE has to offer—as he did against AJ Styles at the last two pay-per-views—and Rollins returning with something to prove and no one backing him, these two can have the match we've pined for without the false finish that would sully their feud.

At this point, it's also the only matchup WWE can put forth to make fans care. Would a third match against Styles be enough of a draw? Could Cesaro, Ambrose or Kevin Owens be believable opponents with the recent uneven bookings?

No.

Even after being out of action for six months, Rollins immediately lends credibility to the main event scene, a former champion who never lost his title. He provides the same credence as John Cena or Brock Lesnar would at this point.

Over the course of 24 hours, Rollins showed everyone why he is The Architect, perfectly orchestrating his return to the WWE main event scene.

Welcome back, Seth Rollins. WWE missed you.