Seth Rollins has provided a crucial update regarding his injury status and potential return to the ring as the WWE gears up for the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The former World Heavyweight Champion has been out of action since October 13, suffering a torn rotator cuff after being booted out of his faction, The Vision, by Bron Breakker. The attack not only sidelined “The Visionary” but also forced him to vacate the World Heavyweight Championship, a title currently held by CM Punk following a tournament victory over Jey Uso.
Rollins appeared on ESPN’s Get Up morning show with Mike Greenberg to discuss his rehabilitation and the possibility of a surprise appearance this Saturday, January 31. While fans have been clamoring for his return, Rollins tempered expectations regarding an immediate comeback for the Rumble match itself.
“Shoulder’s doing good man, it’s doing good,” Rollins told Greenberg. “I don’t know if it’s good enough to get me in the ring this Saturday in Riyadh for the Royal Rumble, but we’re on track for a return sometime sooner rather than later.”
Rollins is no stranger to the rehabilitation process, possessing a longer injury history than many of his peers. He famously tore multiple major ligaments in his right knee in 2015, re-aggravated the injury in 2017, and suffered an injury to the opposite knee in 2024. Additionally, he battled through severe back pain in late 2023 during his first reign as World Heavyweight Champion. Unlike that back issue, however, the current shoulder injury is not something he can simply work through.
The typical recovery time for a torn rotator cuff is four to six months. With January marking the three-month point, a return at the Royal Rumble would be medically aggressive. However, Rollins hopes to be back in time for WrestleMania 42, which takes place on April 18 and April 19. His comments on ESPN have given fans optimism that he will meet this target.
During the interview, Rollins also offered his predictions for the upcoming Royal Rumble matches. When asked for his dark horse picks, he pointed to a fellow legend and a very personal favorite.
“For me, on the men’s side, Rey Mysterio, he’s a legend,” Rollins said. “He’s won a Royal Rumble before shockingly enough as a guy as small as he is. On the women’s side, there’s somebody I feel like everybody’s overlooking and that is my wife, the one and only, the man, Big Time Becks, Becky Lynch.”
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit ESPN’s Get Up with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
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