What Did Seth Rollins Want WWE To Change About His 'Monday Night Messiah' Gimmick?
Seth wasn't happy with how things were going...
Seth Rollins told Sporting News that he wasn't thrilled with WWE's initial presentation of his 'Monday Night Messiah' character.
Both Rollins and then-Raw Executive Director Paul Heyman were the braintrust behind the gimmick change late-last year, but several elements didn't really appeal to Seth. In particular, he wasn't keen on the "religious overtones" the persona appeared to have.
That must be why WWE eventually dropped the stained glass window look.
Rollins described the whole thing as a "work in progress" and revealed he wanted to take control of how the character dressed and how he justified his actions in promos - whilst he was developing the 'Messiah', Seth moved away from effectively being a self-centred, evil Monday night version of Jesus Christ.
Religion and pro wrestling have often been strange bedfellows over the years. Most gimmicks that try to use faith as a heat magnet typically fall flat, and Seth says he was mindful of falling into the same trap.
He claimed the 'Monday Night Messiah' gimmick has been "fulfilling in an artistic sense" despite those early hiccups. It's certainly better than struggling as a heroic babyface.