For over ten years, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, both renowned members of The Shield, have significantly influenced the landscape of WWE. While Roman Reigns has taken the spotlight as the face of WWE since 2015, his ascent was not without challenges, as he faced considerable struggles during his initial rise to fame.

Despite WWE’s persistent attempts to elevate Reigns through numerous main events at WrestleMania, where he secured victories against legendary figures such as The Undertaker, Triple H, John Cena, Brock Lesnar, and Randy Orton, his “Big Dog” persona struggled to resonate with the audience. The fans resisted embracing Roman Reigns as WWE’s leading star, often expressing their dissatisfaction through boos and negative reactions over the years.

Amidst these challenges, Reigns tirelessly worked to win over the fan base. In contrast, Seth Rollins effortlessly connected with the audience through his compelling in-ring performances, charismatic personality, and well-developed character. Rollins consistently resonated with fans, yet WWE never perceived him as the potential figurehead to lead the company, focusing instead on their vision for Reigns.

As Reigns grappled with his identity within the wrestling world, WWE made a pivotal decision in 2020 to turn him heel, introducing the Tribal Chief persona, which remarkably resonated with fans. This transformation allowed Reigns to finally earn acceptance as the face of WWE. Recently, former WWE superstar Dolph Ziggler has acknowledged Seth Rollins as WWE’s “go-to guy” during the crucial years when Roman Reigns was still finding his footing.

Dolph Ziggler Highlights Seth Rollins’ Essential Role in WWE’s Success

During an appearance on Busted Open Radio, former WWE star Dolph Ziggler shared insightful thoughts on a recent segment featuring CM Punk and Seth Rollins from RAW. Ziggler voiced his support for Rollins in the ongoing storyline, acknowledging that fans appear to favor CM Punk at the moment.

Reflecting on a significant five- to six-year period, Ziggler recalled how he and Rollins often found themselves in rivalries while Roman Reigns was establishing himself as a leading star. He stated, “Roman was becoming this above-and-beyond character; it felt like we were trying to establish Seth as the full-time one. He’s our go-to guy.” This statement underscores the pivotal role Rollins played in the promotion during Reigns’ early struggles.

Ziggler emphasized that fans often overlook how Seth Rollins served as the backbone of WWE during challenging times, stepping up whenever circumstances required it, including when Roman Reigns was not yet ready. Being on the opposite side of Rollins in the ring, Ziggler witnessed firsthand the crucial contributions Rollins made to the company’s success.

After nearly two decades with WWE, Dolph Ziggler was released from the company last year. Throughout his tenure, fans enjoyed numerous classic matches between Ziggler and Seth Rollins from 2014 to 2019, showcasing their incredible chemistry and talent.