10 Wrestlers Who Didn't Get The Reaction They Wanted

3. Seth Rollins Is Badly Injured, But He Also Isn't CM Punk

Triple H
WWE

The f*ck did Seth Rollins do?

Before it became blindingly obvious that WWE, not the fans, was at the root of the toxic atmospheres of the late 2010s - of course the fans were going to reject the action, when it undid months' worth of work with a hip-toss-looking Jackhammer - debate raged as to which party should be blamed. Was WWE bad enough to hijack, really? Were fans simply copying off the post-WrestleMania RAW crowds in a pathetic attempt to become part of the show?

The "We are awesome!" chants were more obnoxious than the Brie Mode sting, but it's worth pointing out that ROH and New Japan fans didn't behave so awfully. ROH and NJPW didn't produce a rampantly confrontational product.

WWE did, but poor Seth Rollins was blasted with chants of "CM Punk!" in the build to his match with Triple H at WrestleMania 33 for having the temerity to...cut a heartfelt promo explaining that a recurrence of a very serious injury might keep him off the show.

Did he do the melodramatic pause one too many times? Was he condescending an audience who knew the match wasn't in doubt? Was he just never that great a babyface promo?

It was unkind, whatever the cause.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!