WWE Needs to Keep Seth Rollins Away from CM Punk | News, results, highlights, stats and gossip

Seth Rollins returned to WWE this week, and fans were rightfully wondering how long it would take for him to join CM Punk to start a feud.

And if WWE is smart, it won’t happen for a long time.

Rollins-Punk, thanks to the apparent real-life drama between the two (based on interviews with Rollins, etc.) and The Visionary’s obvious reactions to planning for the future following The Best in the World’s return to WWE, is one of the most-predicted feuds in the modern era .

So why would WWE waste them on their upcoming lineup of top live events and not save them for WrestleMania season, right?

While it may be fun and unfortunate to get to the feud, injuries to both men may prove to be a blessing in disguise.

At the moment, they are both on different paths and require different things anyway. Punk has only recently returned from injury and is still in the middle of a feud with Drew McIntyre that, honestly, has been the hottest rivalry in professional wrestling in a long time.

When this is over, likely on Saturday at Bad Blood, it might be a bit of a stretch to plunge him straight into another blood feud with his hated rival.

Instead, it would make more sense to see a little more in-ring action from Punk on weekly broadcasts, perhaps as he did on All Elite Wrestling, replacing the next generation of stars. This gives WWE time to properly tell a tense story with Rollins in measured rhythms, perhaps almost Bloodline-style.

Fans may oppose this path due to his recent injury history and the risk that it could jeopardize a possible ‘Mania match. However, safe, fast matches are also important to keep him in ring shape and keep fans tuning in on the weekly broadcasts.

As for Rollins, he only returned from injury this week and has to fight Bronson Reed for at least some time. And while he’s at it, he desperately needs a subtle change in character, perhaps to something more serious and sinister.

Given the developments of both competitors since The Best in the World returned to WWE, a paper match between Punk and the cackling, almost goofy Rollins simply wouldn’t make for such a compelling dynamic.

Part of the reason fans have become oversatiated and tired of Rollins over the years is because of his spiraling nature, which seemed a little rudderless. If he’s going to get into a big personal feud, there needs to be some movement before it gains momentum.

Rollins fed up with his decaying body and having to go to dark places to defeat a monster like Reed? This is extremely persuasive before she gets into an argument with a man she clearly genuinely dislikes.

It’s also worth considering whether the inevitable feud doesn’t also deserve the top title. This seemed like a possible plan before last year’s ‘Mania when Punk was injured. He certainly suggested as much.

Cody Rhodes’ belt is already locked in the Bloodline-Roman Reigns-The Rock drama until at least WrestleMania 41, which leaves Gunther’s world heavyweight title as a goal. Actually removing his belt in a reasonable manner would take some time though.

Even if WWE doesn’t go that route – and a feud this big won’t need title – the clash deserves to be treated as the main event of Mania. The fact that both competitors have yet to technically complete their appearance at the biggest pro wrestling event in history is simply part of the approach the company should take.

Whether you like it or not, WWE is heading into what will feel like an “off-season” in the coming months. Starting the feud with a match at Crown Jewel or Survivor Series: WarGames in November would simply be inappropriate. The Royal Rumble might make more sense, but by then it’s February and this match itself could be the catalyst that somehow sparks a “Mania” feud.

The overarching WWE landscape drives this a bit. Delaying Rollins-Punk for a year prevents them from tackling massive storylines like Bloodline and gives them something meaningful to do in one fell swoop.

This may not please some fans in this age of instant gratification, but it’s worth remembering that some of the best things possible in Triple H’s golden era took their time and avoided instant payouts.

Punk and Rollins will team up in an unforgettable feud, but there’s no point in rushing it.