Former WWE writer Vince Russo expressed strong frustration over the 23-minute promo involving Seth Rollins at the recent WWE event. The segment, which opened the show and focused on Seth Rollins’ Crown Jewel promo, took place on a program leading up to the Crown Jewel pay-per-view set in Perth, Australia, rather than the usual Saudi Arabia location associated with the Crown Jewel name. Russo argued that the lengthy promo was unnecessarily prolonged and lacked meaningful stakes.
The segment began with Cody Rhodes addressing the audience about the upcoming Crown Jewel event. He was interrupted by Seth Rollins, accompanied by The Vision, who referred to their previous encounters and the highly anticipated Champion vs. Champion match scheduled for Crown Jewel. Despite an intense back-and-forth, Russo felt the segment dragged on without building any real excitement or significance.
Details of the Promo and Russo’s Criticism
On his show Legion of RAW, Russo condemned the promo’s duration and its relevance, given that the Crown Jewel event would no longer be hosted in Saudi Arabia. He questioned the logic behind dedicating nearly a quarter of an hour to a storyline centered around a ring and a championship name that no longer matched the event’s location. According to Russo, the promo did not create sufficient stakes to engage WWE fans.
“Bro, think about how ridiculous this is. You got a 23-minute promo opening up the show over a ring that isn’t even Crown Jewel anymore because it’s in Australia. Think about it for a minute. 23-minute promo over a ring that isn’t even in Saudi anymore. I swear to God, bro, they’ll throw anything on this show, absolutely anything, man.”
– Vince Russo, Former WWE Writer
Background on Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes Rivalry
The rivalry between Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes is well established within WWE lore. Rollins was the first opponent Rhodes faced upon his return to WWE at WrestleMania a few years ago, and the two subsequently engaged in a renowned trilogy of matches. Rollins also played an instrumental role in supporting Rhodes’ victory over Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40, which resulted in Rhodes capturing the championship.
With the upcoming Crown Jewel event in Perth featuring these two competitors, anticipation remains high regarding which champion will emerge victorious in their latest bout. Both Rollins and Rhodes are key figures in WWE’s current landscape, and their match carries significant interest despite Russo’s critique.
Implications of Russo’s Critique and What Fans Can Expect
Vince Russo’s public dissatisfaction highlights a recurring debate about WWE’s booking decisions and the pacing of promos, especially those centering around major events like Crown Jewel. His comments draw attention to how WWE’s branding and event location changes may affect audience perceptions and the perceived importance of such matches.
As the Crown Jewel event approaches, fans will be watching closely to see how WWE balances storytelling with event logistics, particularly in high-profile matchups like Seth Rollins versus Cody Rhodes. The outcome and execution of this match could influence future promotional strategies and audience engagement for the promotion.
