Seth Rollins strongly affirmed that Becky Lynch is the greatest wrestler of all time during an ESPN interview ahead of WWE Wrestlepalooza later this week. Speaking as the World Heavyweight Champion and husband to the Women’s Intercontinental Champion, Rollins dismissed any suggestion that Lynch’s status as the top female wrestler is debatable.
Tense Moments Emerge in Seth Rollins’ ESPN Appearance
In promoting the upcoming Wrestlepalooza Pay-Per-View event, Seth Rollins joined hosts Michelle Smallmon, Evan Cohen, and Chris Canty on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike. The episode quickly grew uncomfortable as Cohen repeatedly used the term “arguably” when referring to Becky’s title as the greatest female wrestler, a word Rollins openly challenged. The match, featuring Rollins and Lynch facing off against CM Punk and AJ Lee, provided the backdrop for this subtle conflict over Lynch’s legacy.
“The match you’re a part of is you and your wife against CM Punk and his wife, which is amazing. Your wife’s the greatest female wrestler, arguably ever, Becky Lynch… [Rollins nods: arguably?] [Cohen laughs] Well, she said last night she was. CM Punk… [Rollins: arguably? come on now.] … and CM Punk and AJ Lee…,” Evan Cohen said.
When Smallmon asked Rollins about working alongside his wife and the uniqueness of their relationship, Rollins shared how their careers strengthen each other. He quickly returned to defending Lynch’s status without reservation, correcting the hosts firmly.
“I mean, she’s not arguably the greatest, she is actually the greatest of all-time. This is the first woman to main event WrestleMania, which is our Super Bowl. [Cohen: isn’t there a movie about her?] No, no, no… you’re thinking of Paige. [Cohen: I’m thinking of a different one but go ahead.] Becky does not have a movie, she did, however, write a New York Times best-selling author… a book about her life, which is an incredible read. But yeah, she’s a mother, she’s an athlete, she’s an entertainer. I mean… she does everything and she has transcended our industry, and taken female wrestling to heights no one ever could have dreamed of. So, not arguably. [Cohen: I’m feeling I’m going to get chokeslammed at some point, laughs] Numero uno, without question,” Seth Rollins said.
The hosts reacted with humor and attempted to lighten the mood, but Rollins clearly made it known that he intends to stand firmly behind Becky Lynch’s achievements, dismissing any doubts about her prominence.
Insistence on Dropping “Arguably” Sparks Playful Tension
The ongoing back-and-forth continued as Rollins expressed frustration with the recurring use of “arguably” during the conversation. Cohen’s offhand joke, “Or fake suffer,” during a discussion about the physical demands of wrestling caused Rollins to laugh, but the tension subtly remained.
“I said ‘or fake it’ and what I meant was… I want to be clear about this because he had the greatest ruse of all-time, arguably. [Rollins laughs] And so, I’m someone that believes that wrestling is real but scripted, meaning…,” Evan Cohen said.
Rollins reacted by sarcastically calling out Cohen for overusing “arguably,” which the hosts humorously acknowledged.
“This arguably guy. You and your arguably. [Canty: he loves that word.] [Smallmon: right?] [Cohen laughs] The greatest ruse of all-time, just leave it at that. [Canty: call him out Seth, call him out!] [Smallmon: throw out the arguably.] This arguably nonsense…,” Seth Rollins said.
Cohen then defended his word choice by commenting on Rollins’ recent appearances as a guest host on The Rich Eisen Show, where such cautious wording is customary to keep things smooth.
“How far away are you from doing what we do for a living? You learn the word arguably. [Rollins laughs] Trust me, it covers you. I know you’ve been filling in on Eisen, you learn the word arguably. OK, here’s what I’m getting at… so, if this interview would have happened months ago, he would have come here all casted up. Tell everybody what you did because that was so brilliant, and it got everyone,” Evan Cohen said.
Rollins recounted his strategically fake injury before SummerSlam, which culminated in him winning the World Heavyweight Championship. Showing the championship belt on the table, Rollins emphasized the value of dropping “arguably” to fully embrace confidence.
“I took the title and here we are today, I get to share this love with you guys. [Rollins points] [Canty: it’s a beautiful belt.] [Cohen: no arguably there!] No arguably. Listen man, you know what ‘arguably’ does? It takes the heat off, and that’s boring. I want controversy because controversy creates cash, and that’s what we’re all about here, so get that ‘arguably’ off the table. Go right to it, man. [Canty: let’s get rid of ‘arguably,’ no longer using ‘arguably’ on Unsportsmanlike!] It’s cowardice, man. Stick to your guns, stand up for what you believe in. My wife: #1, all-time. This ruse, SummerSlam: best ever, hands down,” Seth Rollins said.
Humor and Respect Mark the Interview’s Final Moments
Despite the layered awkwardness, the conversation concluded with levity. Cohen joked about Rollins’ “heel” persona and admitted his own hesitance to ask for a photo or video for his child after the candid exchange. Rollins reassured him that he would always accommodate his fans, particularly the younger ones.
“Seth Rollins, greatest heel of all-time. [Rollins: greatest wrestler of all-time!] See, I even screwed that up for him. I was going to ask him to take a picture, do a video for my kid… I can’t do that now anymore… [Rollins: anything for the kids] he’s ready to kill me here,” Evan Cohen said, laughing.
The panel kept the mood light as the show wrapped up, with Cohen once again slipping in “arguably” while promoting Wrestlepalooza. Everyone agreed that Rollins and Lynch form a premier WWE duo, with Lynch being recognized—not with hesitation but certainty—as the greatest wrestler on the roster.
Why Rollins’ Defense of Lynch Matters Ahead of Wrestlepalooza
Seth Rollins’ firm endorsement of Becky Lynch as the greatest wrestler highlights both his commitment as a spouse and the growing recognition of Lynch’s achievements in the wrestling world. With both holding major titles—Rollins as World Heavyweight Champion and Lynch as Women’s Intercontinental Champion—their upcoming tag team match against CM Punk and AJ Lee at Wrestlepalooza promises high stakes and star power. Rollins’ outspoken rejection of any “arguably” qualifier signals his desire to generate excitement and set definitive narratives around their place in WWE history, potentially shaping fan perceptions and media coverage.
As Wrestlepalooza approaches, Rollins’ insistence on acknowledging Lynch’s unparalleled impact reinforces her status as a trailblazer, having been the first woman to headline WrestleMania and author a best-selling memoir. Their joint appearances are drawing attention not only to their in-ring talent but also to the business acumen and media savvy they bring to WWE programming. This interview, though tense at times, underscores the seriousness with which Rollins views Lynch’s legacy and the showmanship they bring to their roles.
