Seth Rollins: Edge and me are similar in real life as well

Seth Rollins. All Pictures Courtesy/ WWE

The Architect, The Kingslayer, The Beastslayer, Monday Night Rollins, Monday Night Messiah - WWE superstar Seth Rollins has many monickers to go by and has lived up to them and how.

Rollins has carved a niche for himself in the past decade and has become one of the top superstars in the WWE. Rollins has won the WWE and Universal championship each twice. He has headlined many WWE PPVs and the most memorable one would be WrestleMania 31 where he became the first-ever superstar to successfully cash-in his Money in the Bank contract at WrestleMania to become WWE champion.

This time around Seth Rollins meets the Rated R Superstar and Ultimate Opportunist - Edge, who returned after 9 years from an almost career-threatening neck injury. Edge is all set to take on Rollins at the upcoming WWE Summerslam 2021 event on August 21.

Ahead of his high-profile and high-octane match against Edge, Seth Rollins talks about his match, his character inspirations, John Cena, Roman Reigns and more.

Excerpts:

Last year, you gave Dominik his debut, this year dream match against Edge. Many call you Mr Summerslam, similar to Bret Hart. Do you take pride in your body of work at Summerslam?
I have had a good run in Summerslam matches. Being compared to the Hitman is high regard. Summerslam this year is huge, the match with Edge itself. It's also the first time we will be inside a full stadium in a year and a half. To me, Summerslam was always no 2 on the WWE calendar, ever since I was a kid. I lace 'em up extra tight for Summerslam.

Edge and Seth Rollins face off for the first-time-ever at Summerslam 2021

What is it like working with a veteran like Edge? How excited are you?
It's nice! Since he came back from what he thought was a career-ending neck surgery, he is not taking anything for granted and is extra sharp. He is a perfectionist. Not only on screen, but our characters are very similar in real life as well. Sometimes it can work with you or against you, but in this situation - it works for us. I believe that iron sharpens iron. I want to work with the best to be my best and I think he feels the same way.

Do you look for comics and movies for your character inspirations? How is it like working with Bray Wyatts and Triple Hs over the years in terms of character development?
The character is in a weird place right now but I take inspiration from anywhere. My character has been developing over the years. Triple H is definitely one of the people where my character draws inspiration and played a major role in the beginning. Bray Wyatt, God, I miss him! I would not say I had much inspiration drawn for my character from him coz he was way out there with what he was doing.

As a wrestling fan, how big has John Cena's return impacted Summerslam?
John has devoted so much of his life to WWE and literally carried the company on his back for over a decade. I learned so much from John inside and outside of the ring. Him coming back for Summerslam is perfect. if it is his swansong, who knows. He's doing great in his Hollywood career. To be able to utilise his star power, I'm all for it. I am happy for John and I love that he is here and I am looking forward to Reigns vs Cena as the main event.

Do you think your match vs Edge can push you for a Universal title shot?
That's the goal. I did feel I should have had a shot at MITB but Edge pulled the rug off my feet. If you look at the SD roster, once I move past Edge, there's not a whole lot between me and Roman or Cena. One way or another, I am going to be Universal champ soon.

Edge and Seth Rollins were at loggerheads over the last month on SmackDown

What do you think of Roman Reign's performance as a colleague and someone to who he's that close?
As someone who has seen his entire career from Day 1, I have watched him grow as a performer over time. One thing people don't understand is that it takes time to be really good in this business. To be put in a position to succeed early on is a lot of pressure for a young man. To be put in the Hogan Cena top spot, it is not easy for him. He has evolved so much that he is now comfortable and his personality is starting to shine through. It's cool to see where he is at now and where he could go in the future.

What are your thoughts on your epic match against Cena at Summerslam 2015 when you look back?
It was surreal. I don't know that the crowd would be invested in me as they were. The gear was striking and added to the excitement level when I walked out. The athleticism and physicality of that match speak for itself and the element of John Stewart. The idea of being a double champ - I did not think it was possible at the time. I was too busy at the time to sit back and realise what was happening. Now in retrospect, that was a whirlwind.

Considered WWE's most stylish man in and out of the ring, what are your plans in terms of ring gear this Summerslam?
I didn't think I would be called WWE's most stylish but thank you. Yeah, I have always got something up my sleeve and I don't think you want me to ruin the surprise This one's going to be different and I have something that's stewing in my head for a few days so let's see what it turns into.

If you had any advice for the Rollins of 2014-2015, what would it be?
I would have told myself to slow down a bit. During the first few years, I did not take enough time to enjoy what was going on with me as I was focused on moving up the ladder and being at the top of the food chain and that can be stressful.

How's Becky and little Roux are doing? When can we see her potential return to WWE?
Gosh, I wish I knew. It is her goal to return at some point but when we don't know. The timing's got to be right for her. I'm sure you guys may get some trolling posts this weekend as we approach Summerslam. They're great, awesome and healthy. I love that I can spend every single day with them when I am not on the road. Being a dad and a husband is way cooler than I thought it could be.

View Photos: The Summer of John Cena is here!

Catch Cena in action on Sunday 21st August at 5:30 AM IST EXCLUSIVELY on SONY TEN 1, SONY TEN 3 Channels and the SONY LIV app