A WWE Hall of Famer recently highlighted a critical aspect missing from Seth Rollins’ wrestling persona that stars like Cody Rhodes possess. According to the veteran, Rollins has yet to develop the deep emotional connection with fans that can elevate a wrestler’s impact inside and outside the ring.
Seth Rollins, currently the World Heavyweight Champion on WWE’s RAW brand, secured the title after cashing in his Money in the Bank contract on CM Punk at SummerSlam 2025. Since aligning with Paul Heyman at WrestleMania 41 earlier this year, Rollins has maintained a strong presence, yet some insiders feel his character lacks a certain emotional intensity compared to other top stars.
Emotional Bonds Differentiate WWE’s Top Performers
On the Busted Open podcast, WWE legend Bully Ray expressed that Rollins is missing an essential piece that wrestlers like Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and CM Punk have mastered. Bully Ray explained,
“People genuinely love Cody. Children love Cody, thus, the parents love Cody. Roman has a god-like aura to him. You feel like you are amongst royalty when Roman comes out. Plus, he has that Samoan heritage and bloodline, which we respect so much in wrestling, but respect even more in the WWE. Punk, the consummate rebel, the guy who has always been the voice of the voiceless and the people’s guy. All three of those guys have a unique emotional connection. Emotion, that’s all this f***ing business is about, the emotional manipulation of the fan base and how you can get them to love you or hate you anymore. That’s it. Seth doesn’t have that level of emotion yet, and he’s been around for a long time.”
– Bully Ray, WWE Legend
According to Bully Ray, emotional connection forms the foundation of wrestling’s appeal, involving the ability to engage and manipulate the audience’s feelings. While Rollins is celebrated for in-ring skills and athleticism, the emotional resonance seen with Rhodes, Reigns, and Punk remains elusive for him.
Assessing Rollins’ Current WWE Faction: The Vision
When Seth Rollins and Paul Heyman introduced their faction, The Vision, fans anticipated a compelling alliance that could dominate WWE storylines. However, after about six months, this group has not lived up to expectations and struggles to generate consistent excitement. Rollins’ thrilling Money in the Bank cash-in sparked interest but has not yet transformed The Vision into a powerful force.
Recent developments suggest Brock Lesnar may soon join the faction, possibly boosting its prominence, if only temporarily. This potential addition could create fresh storylines and raise the stakes for Rollins and his stable.
Implications for Seth Rollins and WWE Storylines
The critique regarding Rollins’ emotional depth underscores a pivotal challenge in his career trajectory. Wrestling audiences crave relatable and passionate figures who can stir powerful reactions. Without strengthening this emotional bond, Rollins risks being overshadowed by peers who connect more deeply with fans.
As Rollins continues as World Heavyweight Champion, WWE’s creative direction will play a key role in developing his character. Collaborations with figures like Heyman and a possible Lesnar alliance may provide opportunities to explore new dimensions that engage viewers on a more visceral level.
For Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and CM Punk, their emotional appeal has consistently fueled their success, uniting multiple generations of fans. The challenge remains for Rollins to unlock a similar connection if he aims to sustain long-term prominence in WWE’s evolving landscape.
WANT TO KNOW THE DARK SECRETS BEHIND THE SCENES?https://t.co/n88FZ81cZ1 pic.twitter.com/50sxVavZcl
— Paul Heyman (@HeymanHustle) September 23, 2025
