Former WWE Superstar EC3 recently criticized a moment on RAW involving Seth Rollins and Penta, focusing on the risks linked to certain wrestling moves, including the buckle bomb. This discussion arose after Seth Rollins delivered the buckle bomb during their July 7th match, which Penta subsequently no-sold before countering with the Canadian Destroyer, sparking debate about the move’s portrayal.
EC3 Reflects on the Challenges of Taking Dangerous Wrestling Spots
On The Wrestling Outlaws podcast, EC3 shared insights into the difficulty wrestlers face when negotiating high-risk maneuvers like the buckle bomb. He acknowledged the distinct wrestling styles brought by performers such as Penta, who utilizes a unique Lucha Libre approach often showcased in AEW. EC3 described how those wrestlers tend to rely on their known repertoire, making it challenging to convince them to alter or avoid dangerous spots.
Despite understanding this dynamic, EC3 expressed disapproval of Rollins allowing Penta to no-sell the buckle bomb during their encounter. He emphasized the importance of protecting such impactful moves for their effectiveness and safety, explaining the limits of communication and the need to safeguard neck injuries in these sequences.
“Penta comes from a unique Lucha Style and AEW and sometimes they’re wrestling somebody and they want to do topes and I just don’t have the energy to talk them out of it or think of an equivalent where they’re not panicking because they know what they know and they try to work around it. Or maybe it’s like, we can do anything but the buckle bomb, or we can do it a little bit, but you’ve got to try and protect your neck, it’s like…whatever! Fortunately, that does come about….I’d do what I can to protect it [the buckle bomb] but sometimes it’s like…” — EC3, Former WWE Superstar
Vince Russo’s Perspective on the Buckle Bomb Controversy
Vince Russo, a former WWE writer, has voiced strong opposition to Seth Rollins’ recent use of the buckle bomb, tying his critique to a past pivotal moment at WWE’s Night of Champions 2015. At that event, Rollins’ buckle bomb on Sting was a significant career-defining move. Russo argues that this history demands that WWE and Rollins treat the move with greater reverence to maintain its perceived impact.
Russo views the decision to allow Penta to bounce back immediately after absorbing the buckle bomb as diminishing its power. This, he claims, weakens fans’ engagement and undermines the move’s devastating reputation. Russo warns that such portrayals risk discouraging even casual viewers by making wrestling appear less authentic and more contrived.
His criticism is less about the scripted nature of wrestling and more about preserving the illusion of a legitimate contest, which lies at the foundation of wrestling’s appeal. Russo concluded by suggesting that if the aim is no longer to present wrestling as real, WWE has shifted away from its traditional values, offering a different product than what fans once knew.
The Wider Impact of the Seth Rollins Buckle Bomb Controversy
This situation highlights ongoing tensions within professional wrestling about balancing tradition, performer safety, and entertainment value. Moves like the buckle bomb have historical significance but carry inherent risks, prompting debates about their execution and portrayal. EC3’s and Russo’s comments underscore concerns that improper handling might erode wrestling’s credibility and fan enthusiasm.
As WWE continues to evolve, how it protects signature moves and respects the wrestlers’ styles will likely influence audience perception and future storytelling. The controversy over Seth Rollins’ buckle bomb spot with Penta serves as a reminder of the delicate interplay between spectacle and safety in wrestling’s ever-changing landscape.
