Seth Rollins has provided a detailed account of the moment he tore his rotator cuff during his match against Cody Rhodes at WWE Crown Jewel. The injury occurred while Rollins was delivering a coast-to-coast headbutt, a move that went awry upon landing. Despite the severe injury, Rollins managed to finish the match and secure the Crown Jewel Championship.
Speaking on the Games with Names podcast with Julian Edelman, Rollins explained exactly what went wrong. “In the landing, I didn’t stick it. I did not stick the landing. I rotated a bit to my left, landed hard on my left elbow, and jolted it up into my shoulder. Felt it go right away,” Rollins said.
The Visionary described the immediate aftermath in the ring, detailing the internal dialogue he had while trying to determine if he could continue. He noted that the injury significantly hampered his ability to perform basic maneuvers. “It was hard for me to raise him. If you watch it back, (my arm) is dangling at my side. I can’t throw punches or forearms correctly. It was hard to do what I needed to get done,” Rollins admitted.
Rollins also touched on the fear he felt taking Rhodes’ finisher from the top rope, knowing his shoulder was compromised. “I took his finisher off the top rope, which was pretty scary at that point. I knew I was going to land partially on my shoulder, so I kept it tucked real tight,” he recalled.
Regarding his recovery, Rollins confirmed he underwent surgery and is looking at a significant rehabilitation period. “I don’t know that I did anymore damage than the rotator. Two weeks out of surgery now, it’s about a six-month recovery. We’ll see how it goes.”
He added, “I immediately felt it go. I pinned him, he kicks out, I’m talking to the ref, ‘Oh, that wasn’t smart. That wasn’t good.’ ‘Are you hurt?’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘How bad?’ ‘I’m not sure.’ ‘Do you need to change something?’ ‘Let me think about it, Nah, we’re good.’ At that point, we were 20 minutes deep, so the adrenaline (is still going), but I could feel it. It was hard for me to raise him. If you watch it back, (my arm) is dangling at my side. I can’t throw punches or forearms correctly. It was hard to do what I needed to get done. It was really tender, and it was starting to get worse as the match was going on. Is it stupidity or courageousness? I don’t know. Where is the line? My mindset is to finish.”
We wish him a speedy recovery.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Games with Names with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription. Subscribe to Games with Names on Apple Podcasts.
