It is obviously horrible that Seth Rollins has suffered such an injury. What makes it worse for the WWE is that a number of top stars were already not available. However, this is where it might pay off for the WWE to have such a loaded roster. They have a lot of former World Champions and other guys on the fringe of being main-eventers or upper-midcarders that can legitimately win a World title. I am thinking about Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, Alberto Del Rio, Bray Wyatt, and so on. A tournament should be exciting.
Another problem you can see in all this is that it ruins the WWE's original plans. Not only does it ruin their plans for Rollins/Reigns, but also the feuds they were developing for guys that will likely now be a part of this tournament. Time will tell exactly which feuds are effected and how. But I will not criticize the WWE too much for whatever happens. This was just a bad situation and they are trying to make the most out of it. Coincidentally, it is not so different from what has been going on with TNA recently. But I doubt the divas will get a shot to be in this tournament.
This injury will also hurt Seth Rollins in terms of his development up the card. He was getting a lengthy title reign. We will never get to the point where I discuss if he might break CM Punk's record. During his reign, he retained the title against some big names. He held the United States title, in addition to the WWE title, for a while. He also injured a few guys accidentally. Karma? Despite how he was being pushed, I do not think he had solidified himself as an A+ player. He has wrestling talent, but I do not think the wider audience really saw him as a superstar. It is a combination of sloppy booking and his own limitations. I would say most of the blame should go to the WWE. How will the WWE handle him when he returns? Face turn? Back with The Authority? He might be treated better without the title.
What about The Authority? I have said for a long time that this stable looks horrible. Well, the "stable" is now Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. It's over. Will they select a new guy to be their "guy" in the group? Roman Reigns? That would be a nice swerve. I will talk about that more closer to Survivor Series. Until then, the current situation is an example of why the WWE should have done better in keeping the stable looking strong and like a stable. Now, all you have are two authority figures that switch between being faces and being heels like it is nothing. They might as well just go away and let someone else run things.
Ratings have been horrible all year. The WWE just lost their WWE Champion. How will this impact ratings? Well, I do not consider Seth Rollins a draw. As I said before, he never really solidified himself as an A+ player. This tournament probably stands a better chance to generate interest than Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns. Until the new WWE Champion is crowned, the WWE will live. Last year, they put the title on a part-timer for over half a year. There were times when it felt like there was no WWE Champion. The WWE did that to themselves and worked through it. So far, they seem to be working through this situation.
I will not say too much about the tournament itself now, but let me bring up one name. What about Daniel Bryan? He says he's ready to go. The WWE says otherwise. Might the WWE change their mind given the loss of Seth Rollins? It isn't like they are bringing him back to perform in a ladder match. He does need to take it easy. But he has worth and he still wants to wrestle. This isn't a guy that should be pushed into retirement and get lost in the shuffle until he gets put in the Hall of Fame. The WWE does not have anyone that hot. Even if John Cena and Randy Orton were around, they still do not have anyone that hot. Regardless of how they use him, Daniel Bryan should be coming back in the coming months.
Speaking of injuries, Nikki Bella is also suffering through some injuries. That is not as big a deal. Why? First of all, she is no longer holding the title, anyway. Second, the WWE loves pushing quantity over quality during the diva revolution era, so there are still plenty of other things going on. Third, they can feature Brie Bella in her place. The WWE can push both Bellas as the centerpiece in a way they have never done with a duo. LayCool were pushed as the centerpieces at one time, but it was really Michelle McCool that was the centerpiece and Layla that was the sidekick. After McCool retired, Layla never really was pushed well, despite a title reign and a mediocre periphery angle with Summer Rae. Both Bellas were pushed hard last year, although Nikki Bella came out with the better position. Is it time for more Brie? I cannot imagine Team Bella being lost in the shuffle for long.
Speaking of Nikki Bella, she was named #1 by PWI. That just goes to show what their criteria is based on. Nikki Bella has not been the most talented female wrestler this year. She has not been the most over female wrestler this year. But she has broken the record for holding the most important women's title in the most important wrestling organization longer than anyone. PWI often just reaffirms booking. As a fan, you love it when someone you like ends up being #1, but often turn around and say these lists don't matter when they select someone like Nikki Bella. Should it have been Taryn Terrell, who also broke a record? Should it have been Sasha Banks, who put on some great matches in NXT? Whomever you pick, it was Nikki Bella that got the top spot.
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