WWE kicked off Monday Night Raw this week with a major announcement from General Manager Adam Pearce — and it’s one that will shake up the world title picture. Pearce confirmed the rumors that had been circulating all day: Seth Rollins is no longer the World Heavyweight Champion.
Rollins’ title reign came to an end following the injury he suffered at Crown Jewel in his match against Cody Rhodes, compounded by last week’s brutal attack from Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. WWE is keeping the real-life details close to the vest, but the storyline explanation is that “The Vision” took things too far, leaving Rollins unable to compete.
Pearce addressed the crowd from the ring to open the show, but the scene quickly escalated when a black SUV pulled up outside the arena. Out stepped Paul Heyman, Bronson Reed, and Bron Breakker — the latter carrying the World Heavyweight Championship over his shoulder as if it already belonged to him. The trio made their way to the ring as Pearce laid out the situation face-to-face.
Pearce explained that Rollins underwent major surgery and would be sidelined for the foreseeable future. With the champion out, Pearce had no choice but to officially strip him of the title. After some tense back-and-forth, Breakker reluctantly handed the belt to Heyman, who passed it over to Pearce.
But Pearce wasn’t done making news. He announced that CM Punk — who earned a title shot after defeating LA Knight and Jey Uso last week — would still get his championship opportunity. To determine Punk’s opponent, Raw would feature an “old school” over-the-top-rope battle royal later that night. The winner would move on to face Punk at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where the new World Heavyweight Champion will finally be crowned.
With Rollins sidelined, Breakker and Reed making power plays, and Punk waiting in the wings, the World Heavyweight Title scene just got a whole lot more unpredictable.
It’s been a rollercoaster of a week for Seth Rollins, and not the kind fans were hoping for. The newly crowned WWE World Heavyweight Champion might be facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines following a serious shoulder injury reportedly suffered during his Crown Jewel victory over Cody Rhodes.
According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Rollins’ injury is legitimate — not a storyline twist — and the current plan calls for him to undergo surgery soon. The news throws WWE’s world title scene into chaos, especially if “The Visionary” is forced to miss time extending into WrestleMania season.
“It looks like he’s going to need surgery on the shoulder,” Meltzer said. “The story I got was that he was going to have surgery as soon as possible. As for the title situation, I haven’t heard anything concrete yet.”
The injury is believed to have occurred during a coast-to-coast headbutt spot in the match against Rhodes — a brutal moment that saw Rollins clutching his shoulder almost immediately. WWE then followed up with a shocking post-match betrayal from his Vision stablemates, which fans initially suspected was a storyline excuse to write Rollins off TV. However, this time it appears the injury is unfortunately all too real.
With Rollins likely out for a significant stretch, questions now swirl about the future of the World Heavyweight Championship and WWE’s plans for upcoming events like Saturday Night’s Main Event. Meltzer noted that an official update on the title picture could come as soon as WWE’s next show.
This marks yet another tough break for Rollins, who’s battled through injuries before while maintaining one of the most consistent runs in modern WWE history. If surgery does sideline him through WrestleMania season, it will be a huge blow not only to his fans but to WWE’s creative direction heading into 2026.
The shocking betrayal of Seth Rollins on Monday Night Raw wasn’t part of the long-term plan—at least, not yet. According to new reports from PWInsider and Fightful Select, WWE was forced to make a “heavy creative pivot” following a legitimate injury to the World Heavyweight Champion atCrown Jewel.
Just days after standing tall alongside Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Paul Heyman at the Perth premium live event, Rollins was blindsided by his own allies on Raw. The sudden fracture of The Vision—the faction that had seemed rock-solid heading into Crown Jewel—was reportedly written on the fly to explain Rollins’ upcoming absence from TV.
Sources tell PWInsider that Rollins was spotted with his arm in a sling after his win over Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in Perth. The injury apparently occurred when Rollins went for a high-risk coast-to-coast headbutt. Despite getting hurt mid-match, he powered through to finish the bout and retain his title.
Fightful Select added that the original plan had been for Breakker’s eventual split from Rollins to unfold sometime next year, but the injury forced WWE to move that storyline up. With Rollins now sidelined, Breakker and Reed are reportedly being positioned for a bigger spotlight much sooner than expected.
At this point, there’s no confirmed timetable for Rollins’ return. He’s said to be undergoing medical testing later this week to assess the severity of the shoulder injury.
The timing couldn’t be worse for The Vision’s Architect. Rollins had been locked in a heated rivalry with CM Punk, whom he defeated for the World Heavyweight Championship after a dramatic Money in the Bank cash-in at SummerSlam. In a twist of irony, that title win had been built around fake rumors of a Rollins injury—now, real life seems to have imitated storyline.
WWE fans will now have to wait to see how the company adjusts both the Vision storyline and the Punk feud while their champion recovers.
WWE made history with the first-ever two-night SummerSlam, and Night 1 delivered a mix of wild brawls, emotional moments, and a jaw-dropping ending no one saw coming. Hosted by Cardi B — who made her entrance in full glam with a black bustier and feathered cape — the show kicked off in grand fashion. Let’s get into everything that went down in a jam-packed night from top to bottom.
Bloodline (Roman Reigns & Jey Uso) def. Bron ‘n Bron Connection (Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed)
Opening the night with a fight, all four men tore into each other before the bell even finished ringing. Chaos reigned early on as Breakker and Reed took turns targeting Reigns outside the ring, including Breakker eating the announce desk on a missed dive.
Jey Uso held his own until Roman got the hot tag, lighting things up with a rare tope con giro to the outside and his signature Superman Punch. But the Brons weren’t backing down — a Death Valley Driver from Reed and a furious spear from Breakker (intended for Uso but intercepted by Roman) brought the crowd to a fever pitch.
In the end, Reigns and Uso’s chemistry proved superior. After Roman absorbed the spear meant for Jey, the Bloodline put Reed away with a 1D and a top-rope splash for the win.
Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair def. Judgment Day (Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez)
New WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions
Bliss and Flair were firing on all cylinders from the jump, but Judgment Day played the numbers game early, isolating Charlotte and hitting tandem moves to keep her grounded.
A hot tag to Bliss turned the tide, and the closing stretch saw bodies flying, near-falls piling up, and everyone hitting signature offense. Bliss broke up a Pop Rox attempt, and Flair nailed Raquel with a big boot before Alexa finished it with Sister Abigail DDT on Perez.
New champs crowned, and the celebration was surprisingly wholesome for two of WWE’s most decorated women.
Papa John’s Segment – LWO, Alpha Academy, and New Day
Because no WWE show is complete without a sponsor segment, several fan-favorite stables brawled over the last slice of pizza… until Nikki Bella saved the day with more pies.
Sami Zayn def. Karrion Kross
In a match built around personal ideology, Zayn and Kross fought to prove who truly “understands” Sami Zayn. This was gritty and emotional, with both men trading big shots and the steel pipe teasing a turning point.
Ultimately, Sami refused to compromise, tossed the weapon away, and hit the Helluva Kick to put Kross down clean. Kross was forced to admit — Zayn was right all along.
Tiffany Stratton (c) def. Jade Cargill
WWE Women’s Championship
Power met athleticism as Jade and Tiffany put on a fast-paced, back-and-forth battle. Cargill dominated early with high-impact offense, but Stratton showed resilience and ring IQ, reversing a top-rope Jaded into a victory roll before sealing the deal with her Prettiest Moonsault Ever.
The champ retains, but Cargill proved she’s still a major threat in the women’s division.
A unique tag match with plenty of star power — and a whole lot of heart. Jelly Roll, the unlikely fan favorite, took a beating early from McIntyre and Paul but refused to quit. After a brutal Prime Splash through the announce table, it looked like he was out for good.
But Jelly Roll hobbled back down the ramp and tagged in with a second wind, hitting big slams on both heels and nearly stealing the win. In the end, McIntyre’s Claymore and Paul’s frog splash were enough to secure the victory.
The crowd gave Jelly a standing ovation for his effort — and yeah, he earned it.
CM Punk def. GUNTHER (c)
WWE World Heavyweight Championship – Title Change
This was the kind of match fans dream of: CM Punk bringing fire and grit, GUNTHER bringing brutality and precision. Early on, Punk played defense, constantly trying to avoid GUNTHER’s legendary chops and slams. The Ring General punished him with corner chops, tree-of-woe beatdowns, and the Gojira Clutch.
But Punk refused to stay down, absorbing more punishment than most mortals could handle. He finally bloodied GUNTHER on the announce table, then came back inside and hit two Go to Sleeps to win the gold.
CM Punk is the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion — or so we thought.
Seconds after Punk’s win, Seth Rollins, in crutches and a leg brace, made his way out with Paul Heyman holding the Money in the Bank briefcase. But it was all a ruse — Rollins threw off the brace, attacked Punk, and cashed in.
Seth Rollins def. CM Punk (c)
WWE World Heavyweight Championship – Money in the Bank Cash-In
One Blackout (Curb Stomp) later and just like that — Seth Rollins is your new WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
Rollins celebrated with Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Paul Heyman as Punk lay in the ring, stunned and betrayed.
Other Notes:
Michael Cole announced a crowd of 53,161 and delivered a eulogy for Hulk Hogan that steered heavily toward his SummerSlam legacy.
AAA’s Triplemania XXXIII will air on WWE’s YouTube channel with English commentary.
Celebrity sightings included Cardi B (again), Stephanie McMahon, and AAA’s Psycho Clown, Mr. Iguana, and La Yesca.
Seth Rollins sparked concern over the weekend after his match with LA Knight at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event ended abruptly, with Rollins appearing to suffer a knee injury. The moment felt like a major blow — both to Rollins, who’s been riding high as Raw‘s top heel since WrestleMania 41, and to WWE’s rumored summer plans for him.
However, questions quickly emerged about whether the injury was legit or part of a storyline.
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter and John Pollock of POST Wrestling both reported that at least one WWE source claimed the injury angle had been mapped out days before the event, hinting it may have been a planned storyline twist rather than a real injury.
On Monday’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer revisited the situation and admitted the waters remain murky.
“Everyone is insisting it was legit — that it’s a knee injury,” Meltzer said. “I tried to get it confirmed, and someone I reached out to wouldn’t confirm it. I think it’ll all come out eventually… Everyone’s saying it’s real, but at the same time, nobody is outright denying John Pollock’s report either.”
Co-host Bryan Alvarez chimed in with a possible explanation for the conflicting reports: both sides might be telling the truth.
Alvarez suggested Rollins may have entered the match already dealing with a legitimate knee issue, and the injury spot with LA Knight was scripted to cover for the existing injury — a way for WWE to write Rollins off TV while he gets it taken care of.
“He is hurt, but what happened on Saturday was storyline,” Alvarez said. “That spot didn’t cause the injury — it was a cover for it. He’ll be out a little while, but they’ll probably say nine months or some long stretch for storyline reasons. But in reality, he’ll be back sooner.”
Meltzer agreed that theory fits with what he’s been hearing behind the scenes, especially when factoring in buzz about Rollins’ potential Money in the Bank cash-in down the line.
“That makes the most sense,” Meltzer noted. “I’ve been told the cash-in will happen out of nowhere, so this lines up.”
Whether this is clever storytelling or a genuine setback, Rollins’ status remains one of the biggest questions heading into WWE’s summer season — and fans will no doubt be watching closely for the next twist.
WWE appears to be going all-in on the rise of Seth Rollins’ new faction, with reports suggesting the company is planning a major rebranding — including a fresh theme song produced by a mainstream music artist.
According to a new report from Bodyslam.net, WWE is working on a new entrance theme for Rollins and his group, signaling a potential shift in the faction’s presentation. While details about the artist haven’t been revealed, the move suggests that WWE sees big things ahead for the trio, and wants to elevate their presence with a high-profile sound to match.
Rollins has long had one of the most iconic entrances in modern WWE, with his current theme — a mix of his “Burn It Down” era music and a massive singalong chorus — becoming a fan-favorite in arenas around the world. That song has become so synonymous with his character that even WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray recently commented that Rollins “wouldn’t be as over” without it.
So, changing it is a big deal — and speaks volumes about WWE’s investment in this new stable.
The faction has been on a steady ascent since forming in the aftermath of WrestleMania 41, when Rollins shocked fans by aligning himself with Paul Heyman. The partnership opened the door for Bron Breakker to join the group on the RAW after ‘Mania, and more recently, Bronson Reed was added to the mix. The trio has already picked up big wins, including a decisive victory over Sami Zayn and CM Punk at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Their influence has only grown since then, culminating in Rollins capturing the Money in the Bank briefcase for the second time in his career — a win that was no doubt aided by his powerful allies.
With the group on a hot streak, a new name is reportedly on the way as well, likely solidifying their identity as a long-term fixture on the red brand. While fans are still speculating about what the new moniker could be, the pairing of Rollins’ charisma, Heyman’s mastermind reputation, and the raw power of Breakker and Reed is clearly clicking behind the scenes — and on-screen.
Between the rumored musical collaboration, faction branding, and Rollins’ Money in the Bank victory, WWE is clearly positioning this group as one of RAW’s top acts heading into the summer.
Seth Rollins is taking his talents from the squared circle to the NFL Network next week. In a recent interview with Front Office Sports, Rollins confirmed that he will be guest hosting Good Morning Football from March 24 to March 26. The WWE World Heavyweight Champion has appeared on the show before and is good friends with co-host Kyle Brandt, making this a natural fit.
Rollins on His Friendship with Kyle Brandt
Rollins and Brandt bonded over their shared love of football and professional wrestling, particularly their mutual passion for the Chicago Bears. Rollins spoke about how their friendship developed over time:
“Kyle and I probably admired each other from afar for a while, and then the opportunity came up to go on Good Morning Football to talk football and promote WWE. We got to meet, hang out, and talk Bears and wrestling. He’s got the energy that WWE brings to the table—he’s already there with it.”
Stepping into the Host’s Chair
Rollins, known for his confident mic skills in WWE, is eager to take on the hosting gig. He admits he loves to talk—especially about football—and sees this as a great opportunity to do just that.
“I love hearing myself talk, and I love football. I’ve gone down to the Super Bowl, done Radio Row, and found myself guest spots on all these shows talking about football and the Bears. I’ve really enjoyed it—meeting the people, enjoying the process.”
Will Becky Lynch Return to WWE?
Beyond his upcoming Good Morning Football appearance, Rollins also addressed speculation about the return of his wife, Becky Lynch. While Lynch has been absent from WWE in recent months, Rollins assured fans that she isn’t done just yet.
“I don’t think we’ve seen the last of her in a WWE ring. When the timing is right, she’ll be back. I know the fans are looking forward to it. I just enjoy having my wife on the road with me, so I’ll be excited about it as well. But I’m not exactly sure what the timing is on that.”
WrestleMania 41: Where Will Rollins vs. Reigns vs. Punk Land on the Card?
There’s been plenty of speculation about where Rollins’ rumored Triple Threat match against Roman Reigns and CM Punk will be placed on the WrestleMania 41 card. Rollins, however, isn’t concerned about labels like “main event.”
“I don’t think it’s terribly important where it sits on the card. Because to be honest with you, you just look at the names in that match, and it’s a main event. It doesn’t really matter where it sits.”
With Rollins making waves both in and out of the ring, it’s shaping up to be a huge WrestleMania season for the Visionary.
While much of the audience in Corpus Christi and those watching along at home were likely anticipating an Uncle Howdy return, since the countdown clock that was propped up recently expired as “WWE Raw” hit the air, a different surprise kicked off the show as “Burn it down!” blared over the speakers. Seth “Freakin'” Rollins returned to WWE television for the first time since playing sacrificial lamb for Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania, quickly reminding the WWE Universe that this was still Monday Night Rollins.
After expressing his happiness to be back, Rollins quickly got down to business, stating his immediate intentions of reacquiring the WWE World Heavyweight Championship he lost to Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania, and eyeballing the Money In the Bank briefcase now hanging from high above the ring as the premium live event takes the “next up” place on WWE’s calendar. But before he could get into any briefcase aspirations, the current World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest hit the ring, showing respect for Rollins before stating that “Raw” is no longer Monday Night Rollins but rather All Rise for El Campeon.
The two men jawed back and forth, with Priest reminding Rollins that he was the first to challenge for his then-newly created World Heavyweight Championship, and admitting that he lost then because Rollins was better. That, however, is not the case now, according to Priest, and ultimately, he told “The Architect” that he didn’t need to worry about ladders or briefcases and instead, challenged him to a championship match at Money In the Bank.
Seth Rollins underwent surgery on his knee earlier this week.
While appearing on a talk show in Ireland, Becky Lynch revealed that her husband underwent knee surgery on Tuesday for his torn meniscus. The injury occurred prior to WrestleMania 40.
Back in January, we reported that Rollins suffered the partial meniscus tear during a match with the now-released Jinder Mahal on RAW. While he opted to rest so he could still work WrestleMania 40, he clearly wanted to have the surgery done for the longevity of his career. As of this writing, there’s no word on how long he’ll be out of action.
Following the exciting events of WrestleMania 40, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque proclaimed that the company had officially entered into a new era. A pair of top stars can’t say the same, however, as they are reportedly expected to have a delayed entry in this new era.
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins will be taking time off the road following his back-to-back performances at WrestleMania 40. The exact duration of Rollins’ hiatus is not yet known, although the hope, as of Monday, was that it would only last about four weeks (h/t Wrestling Observer Daily Update). Rollins last competed on night two of WrestleMania 40 as he unsuccessfully defended the World Heavyweight Championship against “The Scottish Warrior” Drew McIntyre. Rollins later appeared in the night’s closing contest, making good on his promise of being Cody Rhodes’ “shield” in his pursuit of capturing the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Rollins’ real-life counterpart Becky Lynch is also believed to be taking some off of WWE television. Lynch last wrestled in the opening contest of WrestleMania 40 night one. Much like Rollins, though, Lynch’s efforts proved to be unsuccessful as she suffered a loss to WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley. There is no word on how long Lynch may be away from television.
While there appears to be some answers regarding their imminent future in WWE, the long-term future of Rollins and Lynch still remains uncertain, as both their contracts are set to expire in June 2024.
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