Seth Rollins' WrestleMania 36: A Night To Forget?

WrestleMania, the grandest stage of them all, is a place where legends are made, and unforgettable moments are etched into wrestling history. For Seth Rollins, however, WrestleMania 36 might be an event he'd rather forget. Let's dive deep into Seth Rollins' WrestleMania 36 experience, examining the buildup, the match itself, and the aftermath, and trying to understand why it didn't quite live up to the expectations surrounding The Monday Night Messiah.

The Road to WrestleMania: A Messiah is Born

Before we dissect the WrestleMania 36 match, it's crucial to understand the context surrounding Seth Rollins' character and storyline leading up to the event. In late 2019 and early 2020, Rollins underwent a significant transformation, shedding his babyface persona and embracing the role of The Monday Night Messiah. This new character was a self-proclaimed savior of WWE, preaching his vision and gathering followers like Buddy Murphy and The Authors of Pain (AOP).

This messianic character was intriguing, to say the least. Rollins, always a talented performer, embraced the heel role with gusto. His sermons were delivered with conviction, his actions were calculated and devious, and his presence commanded attention. The Monday Night Messiah quickly became one of the most compelling and talked-about characters on Raw.

His feud with Kevin Owens was particularly captivating. Owens, the ultimate everyman, stood in stark contrast to Rollins' holier-than-thou attitude. Their battles were intense, personal, and filled with animosity. It was this feud that ultimately set the stage for Rollins' WrestleMania 36 encounter. The storyline was building nicely, with Rollins becoming increasingly arrogant and convinced of his own righteousness, while Owens grew more determined to expose him as a fraud. The dynamic was perfect for a blow-off match on the grandest stage of them all.

The build-up also saw Rollins and his disciples wreaking havoc on Raw, targeting anyone who didn't align with their vision. This created a sense of chaos and unpredictability, making Rollins an even more compelling villain. He was no longer just a wrestler; he was a force to be reckoned with, a leader of a movement, and a threat to the established order. All these elements combined to create a high level of anticipation for his WrestleMania match, with fans eager to see whether Owens could finally shut Rollins down and bring him back to reality.

The Match: Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens

The stage was set. WrestleMania 36 arrived, albeit under unprecedented circumstances due to the global pandemic. The event took place in an empty WWE Performance Center, a far cry from the roaring crowds that usually fill stadiums for WrestleMania. Despite the lack of a live audience, the pressure was still on for Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens to deliver a memorable performance. They had a compelling storyline, strong characters, and the WrestleMania stage – even if it was an unconventional one.

The match itself was a solid, hard-hitting affair. Rollins and Owens are both incredibly talented performers, and they showcased their skills throughout the contest. There were plenty of near falls, impactful moves, and dramatic moments. However, the match lacked the epic feel that many fans had anticipated. Perhaps the absence of a live crowd contributed to this, as the energy and excitement that a packed stadium provides were simply not there.

A significant turning point in the match came when Rollins took a disqualification loss after Owens hit him with a steel chair. While this protected Rollins from a clean defeat, it also felt like a somewhat anticlimactic finish. However, Owens wasn't done. He goaded Rollins into restarting the match as a No Disqualification match. This led to a more chaotic and brutal encounter, with both men utilizing weapons and taking risks.

Ultimately, Kevin Owens emerged victorious, defeating Seth Rollins after hitting him with a stunner. While Owens' win was a satisfying conclusion to their long-running feud, the match as a whole felt somewhat underwhelming. It wasn't a bad match by any means, but it didn't quite reach the heights that many had expected, especially considering the talent involved and the storyline leading up to it. The lack of a live crowd undoubtedly played a role, but some fans also felt that the match lacked a certain spark or intensity that would have elevated it to WrestleMania classic status.

The Aftermath: Where Did the Messiah Go?

The aftermath of WrestleMania 36 saw Seth Rollins continue his Monday Night Messiah character, but the momentum seemed to have waned slightly. While he remained a prominent figure on Raw, the storyline didn't quite recapture the magic of the pre-WrestleMania period. He continued to preach his message and lead his disciples, but the sense of urgency and excitement had diminished.

Rollins eventually transitioned into a feud with Rey Mysterio, which became increasingly bizarre and over-the-top. While the storyline generated headlines and controversy, it also drew criticism for its outlandishness and lack of realism. The Monday Night Messiah character, which had once seemed so promising, began to lose its way.

In the months following WrestleMania 36, Rollins eventually took some time off from WWE. When he returned, he had undergone another character change, becoming the Visionary – a more flamboyant and arrogant version of himself. While this new character has had its moments, it's fair to say that the Monday Night Messiah era remains a mixed bag in Seth Rollins' career. It had moments of brilliance, but it ultimately failed to live up to its full potential.

Looking back, Seth Rollins' WrestleMania 36 experience serves as a reminder that even the most talented performers and compelling storylines can be affected by unforeseen circumstances. The global pandemic undoubtedly had a significant impact on the event, and the absence of a live crowd certainly detracted from the overall atmosphere. However, it's also possible that the match itself simply didn't click in the way that many had hoped. Regardless, WrestleMania 36 remains a chapter in Seth Rollins' career that is both intriguing and somewhat disappointing.

Lessons Learned and Future Prospects

So, what can we learn from Seth Rollins' WrestleMania 36 experience? First and foremost, it highlights the importance of a live audience in professional wrestling. The energy and excitement that a packed stadium provides can elevate a match from good to great, and the absence of that energy can have a noticeable impact on the performers and the overall product. While WWE did its best to adapt to the circumstances, the lack of a live crowd at WrestleMania 36 undoubtedly affected the show.

Secondly, it underscores the importance of maintaining momentum in a storyline. The Monday Night Messiah character had built up a tremendous amount of steam in the months leading up to WrestleMania, but the aftermath felt somewhat anticlimactic. Whether this was due to creative decisions or the impact of the pandemic is debatable, but it's clear that the storyline lost some of its luster after WrestleMania.

Finally, it serves as a reminder that not every WrestleMania match can be a classic. WrestleMania is a show that is built on hype and expectations, and sometimes those expectations are simply too high to meet. While Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens was a solid match, it didn't quite reach the level of WrestleMania classic, and that's okay. Not every match can be a home run, and even the best performers have their off nights.

Looking ahead, Seth Rollins remains one of the top performers in WWE. He has consistently proven his ability to adapt and reinvent himself, and he is sure to have many more memorable WrestleMania moments in the years to come. While WrestleMania 36 may not have been his finest hour, it's just one chapter in a long and illustrious career.

In conclusion, while Seth Rollins' WrestleMania 36 may not be remembered as a career highlight, it's an interesting case study in the challenges of professional wrestling and the importance of adapting to unforeseen circumstances. It also serves as a reminder that even the best performers can have their off nights, and that's perfectly okay. The Monday Night Messiah character had its moments of brilliance, and Seth Rollins has undoubtedly learned from the experience. As he continues his career, he will undoubtedly have many more opportunities to shine on the grandest stage of them all.