Seth Rollins is currently mired in a feud with Chris Jericho as an extension stemming from his rivalry with Kevin Owens. His most recent act involved a pedigree to his nemesis on top of a car in the Spectrum Center parking garage this past Monday night on RAW. Meanwhile, the man Rollins inherited that move from, Triple H, has largely disappeared as an on-screen character since WrestleMania 32.
It was at that event, of course, that Triple H lost the WWE World Heavyweight Championship to Roman Reigns in the main event. His only appearance in the eight months since came on the August 29 episode of RAW to help Kevin Owens become the new WWE Universal Champion after Finn Balor was forced to relinquish the title the week before.
[Image by WWE]
Triple H’s help came at the expense of Reigns and Rollins, as The Game attacked both superstars en route to the Owens victory. Rollins then entered a long feud with Owens over the Universal Title. Meanwhile, Triple H vanished, outside of a brief cameo at the conclusion of Clash of Champions, which was exclusive only to the WWE website. He was simply there to escort his wife, Stephanie, home from the show.
There had been some speculation that Triple H would return to the scene at either Hell in a Cell or Survivor Series to cost Rollins in some fashion again, but the WWE has continually staved off his reemergence. Instead, Jericho has been used as an interfering X-factor in any title matches between Rollins and Owens, and there was no need to bring Triple H back during the elimination match at Survivor Series.
As has been the plan for some time, WWE officials have kept the championship off of Rollins because of a looming program with his former mentor, Triple H. According to Cageside Seats, the plan remains that the two will engage in a feud, culminating with a match at next April’s WrestleMania in Orlando. But if you recall, there were discussions about pushing up the match.
Last month, the Inquisitr reported that WWE officials were considering booking the first singles match between Triple H and Seth Rollins at the Royal Rumble in January. The plan in that scenario would have seen Triple H win the first bout, only for Rollins to emerge victorious on the grand stage of WrestleMania to cap off the feud. In addition to extending their program, the company had been looking for ways to beef up the Royal Rumble and stack the card for what figures to be a momentous event.
However, there is a possibility that plans may have been altered a bit. Rollins is currently scheduled to face Chris Jericho at the final RAW-exclusive pay-per-view of 2016, Roadblock: End of the Line on December 18. Whether the transition to Triple H occurs immediately after that has yet to be confirmed, but current talks have Triple H returning soon to reignite things with his former protege.
As noted, at one point there was serious consideration being put into the two facing off at the Royal Rumble first because the company wanted as many marquee bouts on the card as possible, seeing how this will be the 30th anniversary of the Rumble in a venue like the Alamodome.
However, they may now have the luxury of pushing it back to the original plan of booking it solely for WrestleMania. That’s because Goldberg agreed to extend his run after what was initially supposed to be a one-match deal with Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series. Both Goldberg and Lesnar are confirmed for the Rumble match itself now, which certainly changes what was originally planned for Brock.
Before Goldberg returned, The Beast was either going to win the WWE Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble or lose a title match thanks to Shane McMahon, setting up a WrestleMania showdown between the two. Now, Lesnar enters the Rumble match fixated on Goldberg, which will lead to a final battle between the two in Orlando.
Lastly, the return of the Undertaker allows the WWE to hold off on Seth Rollins vs. Triple H as well. It appears as if The Deadman will wrestle in San Antonio in addition to his customary clash on the grandest stage. It’s believed that he will face off with AJ Styles, which could result in one final run with the title for The Phenom.
What was once perceived as a much-needed match for the Royal Rumble is now expendable (at least for two additional months) due to the star power that is locked in for the January pay-per-view. In any event, barring injury, Seth Rollins and Triple H are definitely on a collision course.
[Featured Image by WWE]