Let's be honest here...WWE didn't do its best in booking Seth Rollins as heavyweight champion. His reign was bogged down by uninteresting opponents and maybe a bit too much chicken-shit heel tactics. Many fans complained about Rollins, but maybe to his own design. He played his part well. He did what was asked of him. Booking aside, no one can argue with his in-ring work. Rollins pulled a great match out of an aging Sting and did much to carry Raw during a time where top heels were few and far in between.
But now he's out, and out a very long time.
For those that say Rollins' injury isn't impactful aren't paying enough attention to the current landscape of WWE. The roster is thin, but not because there aren't any superstars that can carry the ball. The fact of the matter is, outside of Rollins, WWE hasn't got anyone ready to be the next top guy of the company. Brock Lesnar is his own attraction. Undertaker is limited. Cena has had his best days in terms of a fresh, interesting champion. As far as heels go, WWE's best option is fed newcomer, Kevin Owens (Kevin Steen to those that know of his incredible Indie run). The problem with Owens is that it's clear WWE doesn't want him in a top spot as of now, illustrated by his initial win over Cena and subsequent two straight losses. Don't get me wrong here. I'm confident that Owens could solidify himself as the company's top heel. WWE just clearly isn't interested in putting him on top of the card. With Cena taking time off and Orton being injured, the open spot should have two options to fill. These options are Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose.
Both are not heels, I know. But both are young, fresh guys that could carry the ball. It's imperative for WWE to infuse younger talent into top spots in an effort to move forward. So here's where it gets interesting: could WWE swerve us and call a heel turn?
WWE wants Reigns to be the top babyface. It's obvious. His acceptance by the audience has been lukewarm, to say the least. I know what you're thinking. If Cena gets a 50/50 reaction then why can't Reigns be a 50/50 babyface champion? Well, there's a big difference between John Cena and Roman Reigns. Cena's box office draw is bigger than Reigns'. When Cena is in the ring, whether you love him or absolutely hate him, you're watching. Reigns is not at that point. Could he get there? Certainly, but not right now.
So it seems like Ambrose is the obvious choice to turn heel and feud Reigns moving into 2016. While Ambrose is a great heel and excellent in-ring worker, this idea just seems too simple, too predicable.
Hear me out. Let's just say Reigns turns heel, wins the heavyweight title tournament, and feuds Ambrose. Reigns has a new lease on life. Seems like nowadays, heels are cooler than babyfaces. Reigns would have a chance to develop some depth of character, something that's much more difficult when fighting from the good side. Ambrose is already a solid babyface and who didn't hear the roof come off the building when initially won the WWE Title, only to have it taken away. In the least, it would be a storyline that is less predictable and has the opportunity to elevate Reigns and Ambrose to even greater heights than they've seen thus far in WWE.
It's obvious that Rollins' injury has changed things in a negative way. The looming Triple H vs. Rollins match will have to wait. The door is open, though, for WWE to continue featuring younger stars as top guys through Reigns and Ambrose. But on a positive note, it's sure going to be easy to turn Rollins babyface upon his return.
-Brady Sauvageau
The Heater
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