Rollins: Influencers Boost WWE, But Few Can Handle The Grind

Rollins: Influencers Boost WWE, But Few Can Handle The Grind

Seth “Freakin’” Rollins, a cornerstone of WWE, has weighed in on the growing trend of mainstream celebrities and influencers stepping into the squared circle, offering a candid perspective on their impact and the demanding reality of professional wrestling. While acknowledging the potential frustration for established talent, Rollins firmly believes that figures like Logan Paul, IShowSpeed, and even musicians like Bad Bunny bring invaluable new eyes to the WWE product.

New Eyes, New Fans

The question of whether athletes and entertainers from other fields should be welcomed into WWE has been a recurring debate. Rollins, speaking on Club Shay Shay, addressed this directly: “Yeah, I’m fine with that.” He elaborated on the initial feelings of some wrestlers, admitting, “It can be frustrating ’cause you feel like… they’re taking somebody’s spot, right?” However, he quickly reframed this sentiment with a dose of reality: “But at the end of the day… that was never your spot. Like, you weren’t going to do it. It wasn’t going to have the same impact.”

Rollins explained the strategic advantage these crossovers provide. “The reason we are able to bring these influencers or actors or whomever into the fray is to get new eyes on the product. Correct. And that those new eyes then they can find you, you know? Otherwise, they ain’t going to find you.” He recognized this as a “tough lesson to learn I think as a young talent cuz you want those opportunities,” but ultimately champions the broader benefit.

Logan Paul: The Exception to the Rule?

When it comes to Logan Paul, Rollins sees a different level of commitment. “Logan’s a great example. He can really do this,” Rollins stated, highlighting Paul’s rapid development of a genuine passion for wrestling. Unlike a fleeting appearance, Paul has become a near-weekly presence. “I don’t know that he thought… he’s pretty much full-time now. He’s every week he’s there.” Rollins speculated that Paul’s initial motivation might have been financial and a desire to engage in something “fight adjacent,” but that the demanding nature of the industry proved addictive. “I think he got addicted to it. I think he got addicted to the process and like when you get hooked that way it’s really hard to let it go.”

IShowSpeed and the Harsh Reality

In stark contrast to Paul, Rollins pointed to IShowSpeed’s brief and brutal encounter in the ring. “Most of them are like a Speed who gets in the Rumble and gets merked by Bron Breaker and then he don’t want to come back. Guys like, ‘I’m good.’ … I’m good.” This serves as an example of how quickly the allure can fade when faced with the physical realities of WWE.

Ronda Rousey and the Grind

The conversation also touched upon Ronda Rousey, a former UFC champion who transitioned to WWE. Rollins expressed no surprise that her tenure wasn’t longer. “It’s hard. It’s really hard. And what they were asking Ronda to do was very difficult. The schedule was crazy still at that time.” He described her initial experience as “curated” and “choreographed,” with limited, well-rehearsed matches. “And you get to do wrestling that way and that can be really fun and and that can be addicting for people but that’s not really what wrestling is.”

The true nature of wrestling, according to Rollins, is “a grind.” He contrasted his own developmental path, where he wrestled multiple times a week to hone his craft, with how some newcomers are presented. “When you come in and that’s how you’re presented and then you have to work backwards… That’s easier because now it’s like, ‘Oh, wow, wait, I You tell me I only have to wrestle 50 times a year?’ Easy. I used to do 250.” For Rousey, other life aspirations, particularly motherhood, made the demanding WWE schedule untenable. “It’s really hard to be a mom and do our gig especially when you want to have multiple kids.”

Bad Bunny: A True Professional

Bad Bunny received high praise from Rollins for his commitment and performance. “He loves wrestling. That’s insane by the way,” Rollins emphasized, referencing the global music superstar’s willingness to participate in a brutal, no-holds-barred street fight in Puerto Rico against Damian Priest. Rollins likened the significance to Michael Jackson performing a similar feat at WrestleMania in 1986, underscoring Bad Bunny’s dedication and bravery. “He did not have to do that at all. What a stud.”

The IShowSpeed Incident and Pressing Charges

Rollins also recounted a fan interaction that escalated, leading to an arrest. He revealed that the fan was reportedly “catfished by somebody pretending to be me” and seemed to be in a vulnerable state. Rollins opted not to press charges, requesting that the judicial system look into getting the individual help instead. “It didn’t seem to me that that was going to solve the problem.” He expressed relief that the situation wasn’t more violent, emphasizing the importance of considering the “totality” of the circumstances and seeking the best course of action, which in this case, was to “try to help this guy if we can do that.”

Power Couples and the Wrestling Life

The discussion turned to power couples in wrestling, with Rollins and his wife, Becky Lynch, being placed on a list alongside legendary pairings like Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth, and Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. Rollins confidently declared, “We’re number one by a mile but yeah.” He acknowledged the unique bond shared by couples within the industry. “They know what it’s like to live that life.”

He explained the significant benefit of dating someone who understands the demands of the wrestling lifestyle: the constant travel, the grueling schedule, and the public scrutiny. “When you find somebody who gets it and understands what you’re doing… it’s so much easier.” Rollins detailed his own “craziest years” where he wrestled close to 215 matches annually, often spending 300 days a year on the road, with only about 36 hours at home each week. This level of dedication makes it incredibly difficult to maintain relationships outside the industry, reinforcing the value of a partner who shares the same unique journey.

Source: Seth Rollins Reacts To IShowSpeed Brutal WWE Beatdown & Logan Paul's Addiction To Wrestling (YouTube)