Seth Rollins, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, recently shared his most valuable advice for young wrestlers striving for success. Speaking about the importance of patience, Rollins emphasized that endurance and dedication are crucial on the challenging path to a wrestling career.
Rollins, who is also the operator of the Black and Brave wrestling training school in Davenport, Iowa, works closely with emerging talent through WWE’s developmental program, WWE ID. This initiative offers support to independent wrestlers aiming to rise within the industry.
Guiding the Next Generation Through Experience and Hard Work
In a recent interview on ESPN, Rollins reflected on his journey and training philosophy. He explained that he has dedicated more than a decade to training aspiring wrestlers and stressed the value of seeing wrestling as a long-term pursuit rather than a quick success.
“I own a wrestling school back in Davenport, Iowa, so I train up and coming young men and women who want to do this in their life, and I’ve been doing that for over a decade now,”
Rollins said. He noted that, especially in today’s fast-paced society, young people often seek immediate results, but this mindset clashes with the realities of wrestling.
He elaborated,
“I think the thing that I have preached more than anything is – it is a marathon. It is not a sprint. And I think especially kids in today’s day and age, with the way our society is structured, they want instant gratification, they want things now, now, now, they want to see immediate results.”
Rollins compared the impatient attitudes of today’s youth to his own early career mindset when he was 18 years old, explaining that the pressure for rapid achievement has intensified over the years. Despite this, he insists that patience remains essential.
“But you’ve gotta have patience. You’ve gotta have patience, you have to embrace the grind, and you have to love it. Those are the three keys I think,”
Rollins advised.
He encouraged young wrestlers to accept the difficulties and enjoy the process of constant improvement.
“If you’re willing to suffer a little bit for your craft, enjoy that process, enjoy that struggle, and enjoy the process of improvement. Because that’s what it is,”
he explained.
“If you’re just a little bit better than you were the day before, then you’re on the right track.”
Summarizing his philosophy, Rollins said,
“It’s nice to win the lottery, but it’s better to work hard to get that result at the end of the day.”
From Early Debut to WWE Stardom: Rollins’ Rise Through Wrestling Ranks
Seth Rollins began his professional wrestling career at age 19 in 2004. Before signing with WWE in 2010 under a developmental contract, he gained recognition in Ring of Honor (ROH), where he held both the ROH World Championship and the ROH World Tag Team Championship.
Within WWE, Rollins started in the FCW developmental territory, which later became NXT. He became the very first NXT Champion and steadily climbed the ranks, making his main roster debut in late 2012. Over time, he secured multiple titles and is presently a two-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, holding the distinction of being both the inaugural and current champion.
The Ongoing Influence of Seth Rollins and WWE’s Training Programs
Rollins’ commitment to developing young talent through Black and Brave and WWE ID underscores the WWE’s focus on nurturing future stars. His advice on patience and perseverance speaks to the core values needed to succeed in a demanding wrestling career. As the industry evolves, Rollins’ guidance offers aspiring wrestlers a realistic perspective on what it takes to achieve lasting success.
With Rollins actively shaping the next generation from his training school in Iowa, his words carry weight beyond the ring and into the lives of many hopeful performers preparing for their own journeys. For fans and participants alike, his outlook highlights the importance of discipline and love for the craft over instant fame.
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins urges young wrestlers to be patient on their path to success:
"I own a wrestling school back in Davenport, Iowa, so I train up and coming young men and women who want to do this in their life, and I've been doing that for over a decade… pic.twitter.com/nsvyKQMSJD
— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) September 16, 2025
