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What did we just see on the RAW before TLC 2019!??! While the WWE Universe was all geared up to see Seth Rollins as a heel, when it happened, it came out of nowhere and shocked the world.
So right before TLC this weekend, Seth Rollins seems to have gone over to the dark side and joined hands with Akam and Rezar. This is the most exciting development to come out of WWE in months and is certain to bring a lot of lapsed viewers back to the fold one again.
In any case, why did the big heel turn happen and why was the alliance formed, you ask? To answer the question, one has to look at the current landscape and the weeks leading up to this big development.
In any case, this is why Seth Rollins went heel on this week's episode of WWE RAW.
#5 The crowd was already booing him (storyline reason)
We all heard Seth Rollins' promo which was more a shoot than a worked promo, in a lot of ways. Seth Rollins did everything by the book, put on some of the best matches that the world that seen week after week and yet, the audience would boo him, over and over again. And this real-life situation has led to a heel turn, which is the biggest news story in the world at the moment.
We had all seen the signs leading up to the heel turn, with Seth Rollins calling out the entire RAW locker room and burying them, on television. Kevin Owens simultaneously became the voice of the people, speaking their language and voicing their concerns about how Seth Rollins was being perceived.
The heel turn is timely and I commend WWE for listening to the fans!
#4 To elevate The AoP to the next level
The AoP was a very formidable duo back when they ruled the roost in WWE NXT, but as it ever so often happens, when they escaped from the developmental system and guidance of Triple H, they got relegated into a comedy act. They were paired with Drake Maverick, who's an exceptional performer but wasn't the right manager for either Akam or Rezar.
One has to admit that this alliance with Seth Rollins is a massive upgrade for them. A man is known by the company that he keeps and Akam and Rezar will certainly rise up the ranks thanks to the alliance with The Architect.
At least, all said and done, this 'new Shield' gimmick is a lot more serious than the 'manager who urinates at the sight of trouble' act and is certain to serve the heels well. It is certainly good television, according to me.
#3 Rollins' history as a formidable heel
This is not the first time that Seth Rollins has been a heel. In fact, one may go so far as to say that his best run thus far as a heel back when he broke up The Shield in arguably the greatest angle of the decade that was.
Seth Rollins went on, at that point, to team up with The Authority and embark on a reign of terror with Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, J & J Security, and Corporate Kane. And this is why WWE may want Seth Rollins to tap into the dark side.
While he played second fiddle to Triple H at that point, he is the leader of the faction right now. And now, the world is his oyster to conquer as WWE's top heel.
And now, Rollins has the opportunity to elevate babyfaces as a heel, as shall be discussed in the next slide.
#2 The current RAW landscape has babyfaces worthy of replacing Rollins
So, from the way that the pieces have lined up at this point, it is clear that Seth Rollins will engage in a battle with Kevin Owens up next. Owens was the center of attention at WWE Starrcade when he pretty much carried the whole WWE Network Special with more than one segment. But he is not the only babyface who can replace Seth Rollins in the top spot, in my personal opinion, truth be told.
I honestly think that Rusev has enough equity at this point to be one of the top babyfaces on the Red Brand. If he were to go up against Brock Lesnar at some point in the future, I would think that he has a fighting chance at least. And to be quite honest, Rey Mysterio is a beloved babyface too, who can honestly take Seth Rollins on, when the opportunity presents itself.
#1 To potentially set up a match with CM Punk at WrestleMania
While nothing is set in stone yet, we can all see the signs already. CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins is probably the biggest match that can happen at this point at WrestleMania 36 and the seeds for the same are already being sown on WWE Backstage.
The main thing that one needs to remember is that if CM Punk were to come back to a WWE ring, there is no chance that he will be booed. And for the same reason, Seth Rollins had to turn heel for this match to be potentially set up.
A heel Seth Rollins can also elevate young babyfaces like Aleister Black and Humberto Carillo. He could have always fight them as a babyface but in this case, there will be a lot more heat associated with the match at hand.
Do you think Seth Rollins will be the perfect comeback opponent for Punk?
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
