Seth Rollins: WWE superstar talks up dream match against his idol…the ‘Heartbreak Kid’ Shawn Michaels
But first up, 'The Architecht' wants to battle for the Universal Title at WrestleMania 33 next year
SETH ROLLINS says he wants to wrestle for the WWE Universal Champion at next year’s WrestleMania – but first wants a dream match with his wrestling hero, WWE legend Shawn Michaels.
Talking to the Gorilla Position podcast, the former Shield member and two-time Word Champion discussed how AJ Styles’ had teased a match with the retired Michaels on social media by posting an image of them facing off for the upcoming Royal Rumble.
Rollins said: “If he’s ever coming out of retirement it better be at WrestleMania. Kudos to AJ for giving it a shot but he can take a backseat. I would like that match before he gets his hands on Shawn. A lot of people would pay good money to see Shawn and AJ.
“Me and AJ might have to fight it out. Winner gets Shawn.”
Even with the Royal Rumble taking place at the Alamodome in San Antonio – Michaels’ hometown and the building where ‘HBK’ won his second world title 20 years ago – it’s unlikely Michaels will come out of retirement.
For some though, it would be the ultimate dream match. Thought by many fans to be WWE’s best all round performer, Rollins he modelled himself on Michaels’ style.
He said: “I’ve always fancied myself as the guy who can do it all pretty well. I don’t see myself in the ring as a high flyer or brawler or technical guy, but I feel I can do everything, work with everybody, and bring out the best in different people.
“I would never compare myself to him, but like a Shawn Michaels, a guy who can do everything. I’ve always prided myself on doing different types of matches with different opponents.”
Rollins has been battling Universal Champion Kevin Owens over the last few months. Next he’ll join forces with Owens, Chris Jericho, Roman Reigns, and Brain Strowman to represent Raw in the upcoming Survivor Series elimination match.
After two defeats to Owens assisted by Owens’ best friend Chris Jericho, fans would like to see Rollins challenge for the Universal title again after Survivor Series. But Rollins could be heading for his much-anticipated feud with his former mentor Triple H – who turned on Rollins and cost him the title back in August.
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Either way, Rollins thrives on the pressure of the big matches.
Rollins said: “I perform better under pressure. If I go out there and I’m not nervous, and I’m too relaxed, I don’t like that vibe. I like big matches. I like pressure situations.”
“I want to be the best now. I want to be the best ever. So the the pressure’s all me putting it on myself.”
He’s also impressed by WWE’s “women’s revolution”, with Sasha Banks and Charlotte headlining over him and Owens and Rollins at Hell in a Cell. But – also like Shawn Michaels – Rollins always considers himself the main event.
He said: “They work hard. They’ve done tremendous things to put this women’s revolution on the map. We’ve got girls that we can use as a shining example of why women are on the same level as men. These girls are incredible. They deserve it.
“That said, whether I’m on last, I’m always the main event. They want to be on top, we want to be on top. Kudos to the women but I’m going to treat it just as I would with Brock Lesnar and Undertaker at the top of the card. I want that spot.”
Regardless of what spot Rollins has, he’s just thrilled to be back performing in the ring.
After a knee injury suffered on WWE’s European tour in November 2015, Rollins was forced to vacate the World Championship and missed five months of action, including last year’s WrestleMania at the AT& T Stadium in Dallas – the biggest WWE show ever.
It was tough break for Rollins, especially after making history with the world title win at WrestleMania the year before. Next year’s event will take place at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. Rollins is just happy to be a part of it, whether he’s battling Triple H, Kevin Owens, or even Shawn Michaels.
He said: “I was really bummed out to miss the biggest WrestleMania of all time. There were 100,000 people in the AT&T Stadium. How many times are we going to get the chance to do that?
“It was AJ’s first WrestleMania and to see Roman Reigns in the main event against Triple H was cool, but man, it was just tough to be around that day. I did not want to be in Dallas.
“To come back in Orlando, my dream scenario is just to have a match at WrestleMania again. Missing last year was easily the worst part of the injury, for sure. It just crushed me.
“Obviously walking in or out as Universal Champion is the best scenario. When you dream about it up as a kid want to do is walk out of WrestleMania as ‘the guy’.”
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