Seth Rollins made a triumphant return to "WWE NXT" on Tuesday, marking a decade since he was crowned the inaugural champion of the developmental brand. Following his successful World Heavyweight Championship defense against Bron Breakker, Rollins had a heartfelt message for the loyal "NXT" fanbase, hinting at his intention to appear across all three of WWE's brands in the future.
In a WWE Digital Exclusive, Rollins addressed the live crowd, expressing his deep love for NXT and emphasizing the respect he holds for the championship. He drew inspiration from legendary champions such as Harley Race, Ric Flair, Bret 'The Hitman' Hart, and 'Mr.
Five-Time' Booker T, who traveled far and wide, bringing the prestigious heavyweight title to every city, town, and country they could. Rollins stated, "If I can even lace those boots for two seconds, and if I can be a part of that lineage, then I'm doing something right." He extended gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support and acknowledged the immense privilege of following in the footsteps of luminaries like Booker T and Shawn Michaels.
Seth's Emotional NXT Homecoming
Rollins went on to share the story behind his match against Bron Breakker and his initial feelings upon returning to the WWE Performance Center. While many wondered if he was experiencing nostalgia or becoming emotional, Rollins admitted that the experience hadn't hit him until he stepped into the NXT ring once again.
The crowd erupted in a resounding "welcome back" chant, visibly impacting Rollins. The passionate response from the NXT faithful clearly moved Rollins, who proclaimed, "You guys embody the same energy that I left NXT with a decade ago." He credited the fans for their vital role in making him a visionary and revolutionary in the industry, acknowledging their love, vitality, and unwavering support that had shaped his career.
The crowd reciprocated by chanting his popular moniker, "Seth Freakin' Rollins." Rollins' post-show speech came shortly after NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams rescued him from a brutal assault by Finn Balor, who is set to challenge Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship at Money in the Bank.
As of now, it remains uncertain whether Rollins will defend his title in the lead-up to his highly anticipated showdown with Balor on July 1. Fans eagerly await the clash between these two elite competitors, as Rollins continues to leave an indelible mark on WWE's landscape.