Right now stars such as AJ Styles, Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins are on top of the WWE, and stars like Samoa Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura are holding it down in NXT. But just a few years ago if you had told WWE fans that AJ Styles and Kevin Owens would be the two top champions in WWE, they probably would have called you crazy.
The definition of a WWE Superstar has changed drastically over the past few years, and there’s no denying that guys like Daniel Bryan and CM Punk helped to facilitate that change.
CM Punk and Daniel Bryan got over with the fans despite the fact that they didn’t look like action figures. After the fans formed a connection with Punk and Bryan, they let WWE know it each and every week. WWE resisted at first, but eventually both men got their just due, and they become World Champions in WWE.
Punk and Bryan’s success was a testament to the fact that guys who got over on the independent scene can also get over in the WWE, if they’re just given a chance, and nowadays WWE is giving former indie stars more opportunities than ever.
Seth Rollins recently spoke with Raute Musik, and during the interview he acknowledged the impact that guys like CM Punk and Daniel Bryan had on the overall WWE landscape.
“If you look at the NXT product, and what they’ve done over the last few years, integrating the independent wrestlers from all over the world, not just the united states, but from all over the world. I think that the guys you mentioned, especially CM Punk and Daniel Bryan, they really set the precedent for what it was going to take to get to the top of the WWE.”
Seth Rollins also brought up the fact that WWE developmental has come a long way over the past few years. Developmental is no longer just developmental, now it’s NXT, and NXT is a successful brand that showcases some of the best talent in the world.
Seth Rollins praised Triple H’s work with NXT, and he also said that he’s thankful for what Daniel Bryan and CM Punk did, because he feels they opened the door for guys like him.
“I think WWE developmental was a bit formulaic for a long time until Triple H took over, and rebranded the whole thing. He started to take a look at the journeymen, the guys who paved their way for years and years and years, and put in the work to get to that point, instead of just trying to manufacture talents out of thin air. There’s something to being able to make it on your own that I think gives you the confidence to make it here in the WWE. I’m very thankful that Daniel Bryan and CM Punk kind of opened the door for guys like myself and Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe and Finn Balor, and other guys who have made their names on the independent circuit. Without those guys kind of kicking the door down and breaking the mold, we wouldn’t have the same opportunities we have now.”
During the full interview Seth Rollins also talks about a Shield reunion, working with John Cena and more. Check it out below.
