After missing Wrestlemania 32 due to a torn ACL that kept him out of action from November 2015 to May 2016, Seth Rollins is back and better than ever with his new babyface persona as we head into Wrestlemania season, with Wrestlemania 33 approaching.
Although Triple H vs Seth Rollins seems locked in for the event, the match between the Game and the Architect has been rumoured to be taking place earlier, possibly at Survivor Series or Royal Rumble.
If that is the case, and Rollins is done with Triple H by early 2017, there is a plethora of opponents from Raw, Smackdown Live and NXT who could be Rollins’ next rival. Here are 5 Potential Opponents for Seth Rollins at Wrestlemania 33 (Excluding Triple H).
#5 AJ Styles
Who else could it be? Despite Styles having wrestled a plethora of dream matches so far in WWE (Jericho, Cena, Ambrose), a bout against Rollins has alluded him. With both men being arguably the two best in-ring workers in the WWE today, their match could be one of the best matches in WWE history, and that isn’t an exaggeration.
I may be over-hyping the bout a bit much, but the potential 5-star classic that Rollins and Styles have waiting in the wings is too tantalising to wait for. A Wrestlemania 33 main event for either World Title would be spectacular, and it is obvious from both men’s in-ring styles that their chemistry would be off the charts.
With Rollins finally being a babyface and Styles currently being the best heel in the business, their babyface-heel dynamic would be yet another wonderful aspect of this dream match.
Although this may sound like a match that is only appealing to the hardcore WWE fans, casual fans also seem to love Seth Rollins and/or AJ Styles, and a main event at Wrestlemania 33 between Styles and Rollins would be a match nobody would want to miss. Book it, WWE.
#4 Heel Finn Balor
Ok, so it is extremely unlikely that Finn Balor returns from his injury and immediately turns heel, but if he were to do so, a rematch with a babyface Rollins would be very appealing. Although their match at Summerslam was outdone by the incredible Styles vs Cena bout, it was still a solid encounter between the two men.
But, they have the potential to have a classic, and that potential was not maximised at Summerslam. Also, despite Balor’s growing popularity, Rollins is much more over with the fans. If Balor turned heel on Rollins with Gallows and Anderson by his side, the desired babyface vs heel reaction could be evoked for the bout.
Rather than a forced heel persona for Rollins, a babyface Rollins vs a heel Balor would have much more chemistry than the other way around, like we saw at Summerslam. If it were to take stage at Wrestlemania as well with the right build, it could be a spectacular classic.
#3 Heel Roman Reigns
Once again, this is extremely unlikely due to WWE’s obvious hesitance to turn Roman Reigns heel, but if Reigns were to turn, a rematch against a babyface Rollins would be incredible. Despite being rivals since the breakup of the Shield, Rollins and Reigns have only had one PPV singles match, at Money in the Bank 2016.
It was a wonderful bout between two stellar performers, but the babyface-heel dynamic was off, holding back the match from being a modern-era classic.
If this time around Rollins were to be the face and Reigns the heel, a match at Wrestlemania 33 could be an instant classic, and if the Universal Title were to be on the line, it could be the main event.
Their chemistry against one another in the ring has already been proven, and with a splendid build towards the match with the right dynamic, a heel Reigns vs babyface Rollins bout at Wrestlemania 33 could be fantastic.
#2 Shinsuke Nakamura
Many people may argue that Shinsuke Nakamura shouldn’t be included here as he isn’t even on the WWE’s main roster yet, but the sheer anticipation that a Nakamura-Rollins bout would create makes me believe WWE could possibly book this encounter.
A dream match from the moment Nakamura signed with WWE, Nakamura vs Rollins deserves to be placed on the Grandest Stage of Them All, as the build, hype and anticipation for the bout would be Wrestlemania worthy.
If you are not a fan of NXT, Nakamura’s debut match against Sami Zayn is being considered the best WWE bout of 2016, and the in-ring ability of Nakamura is up there with AJ Styles and Rollins.
With the right build towards the match, a babyface vs babyface dynamic wouldn’t be a problem, as two of the best in-ring workers in the world would be clashing at Wrestlemania.
A dream match since Day 1 of Nakamura’s WWE tenure, Shinsuke Nakamura vs Seth Rollins at Wrestlemania 33 could be one of the best matches in recent WWE history if they are smart enough to book it.
#1 Shield Triple Threat
Yes, we already saw The Shield Triple Threat at Battleground, but let me plead my case. Despite still being an incredible bout, the Battleground match lacked the right build (mostly due to Roman Reigns’ suspension) and the right stage for the dream encounter between the former brethren.
Roman Reigns was absent from WWE TV for the entire build to the bout, and Battleground has always been considered a small-stage PPV. A rematch in my eyes feels necessary, and what better stage for it to take place than the main event of Wrestlemania 33?
None of the three men should have to turn heel either (although Reigns turning would be great), and the crowd would be incredibly hot were the bout to take place at the Showcase of the Immortals.
With the WWE World or Universal Championship on the line, a Shield Triple Threat match at Wrestlemania 33 could be one for the ages, and if Rollins were to finally clinch the title as a babyface after months of being screwed by Triple H, it would make for a spectacular Wrestlemania moment.
Have any other suggestions? Comment below!
For latest WWE News, live coverage and rumours visit our Sportskeeda WWE section. Also if you are attending a WWE Live event or have a news tip for us drop us an email at fightclub (at) sportskeeda (dot) com.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
