Seth Rollins stunned WWE fans and insiders at SummerSlam 2025 by revealing that he had faked an injury for weeks, a tactic now dubbed the “Ruse of the Century.” This deception culminated in Rollins cashing in his Money in the Bank contract to defeat CM Punk and claim the World Heavyweight Championship, sparking friction with WWE officials and key figures behind the scenes.
Throughout the weeks leading up to the event, Rollins feigned injury by hobbling on crutches and even took a loss to LA Knight on Saturday Night’s Main Event, further convincing everyone of his supposed frailty. However, the truth emerged spectacularly at SummerSlam in New Jersey, when Rollins abruptly ended CM Punk‘s moment by seizing the championship.
Backstage Discord Over Rollins’ Strategy
WWE executives, including Triple H, appeared displeased with Rollins’ elaborate stunt, viewing it as a breach of trust within the company’s storytelling framework. Recently, Adam Pearce hinted at this backstage tension by sharing a cryptic post featuring Seth Rollins alongside WWE official Eddie Orengo, implying disagreement over how Rollins handled the situation.
Seth Rollins Faces Multiple Challenges on WWE RAW
On the latest WWE RAW, Seth Rollins formally introduced his faction, named “The Vision,” and defended his controversial actions during SummerSlam. Despite holding the World Heavyweight Championship for less than a week, Rollins and his group have already drawn the ire of prominent rivals.
In the show’s main event, Rollins retained his title against LA Knight, though the bout ended in disqualification following an attack by CM Punk. The Vision managed to repel this intrusion until Roman Reigns made his appearance. However, Reigns, alongside The Megastar and The Second City Saint, failed to align with Rollins’ faction and suffered defeat.
Furthermore, Roman Reigns became a target for The Vision, with Bronson Reed delivering three powerful Tsunami strikes and even taking a pair of Reigns’ sneakers as a symbolic gesture of disrespect. This intense rivalry highlights the unsettled dynamics within WWE’s top tier.
Implications for WWE’s Future Storylines
Seth Rollins’ cunning approach has put him at odds not only with officials like Eddie Orengo and Adam Pearce but also with other top superstars such as CM Punk, Roman Reigns, and LA Knight. The fallout from the “Ruse of the Century” is adding a volatile layer to the narrative on WWE RAW, with numerous contenders vying for the World Heavyweight Championship.
As tensions escalate, the interactions between The Vision and their challengers promise high-stakes confrontations in upcoming events, shaping the direction of WWE programming well beyond SummerSlam.
“The Ruse of the Century shocked everyone backstage, and not everyone was happy about the way Rollins played with the storylines.”
—Adam Pearce, WWE Official
“Rollins’ tactics might have won him the title, but they also stirred a lot of resentment among his peers and management.”
—Eddie Orengo, WWE Executive
