What changes does the author suggest for Seth Rollins' character?

The author suggests that Rollins should move away from his current flamboyant outfits, constant cackling, and predictable entrance routines. Instead, he should focus on character depth and a more aggressive, violent in-ring style to regain his status as a top-tier performer.

Who is suggested as the ideal opponent for Seth Rollins in Berlin?

The article identifies Ilja Dragunov as the ideal opponent for Rollins at Bash in Berlin. His stiff, unhinged wrestling style would force Rollins to abandon sports entertainment tropes and engage in a more intense, physical fight.

Why does the author criticize Seth Rollins' recent match booking?

The author argues that Rollins' recent matches have become overly choreographed, paint-by-numbers exhibitions that lack stakes or story progression. He believes Rollins is currently stuck in a cycle of repetitive moves that fail to showcase his true talent.

How does the author view the current pacing of Seth Rollins' storylines?

The author criticizes the pacing of Rollins' storylines, noting that they often feel either rushed or dragged out without proper escalation. He points out a lack of connective tissue between promos and matches, which prevents the stories from feeling impactful.

What role could Gunther play in Seth Rollins' Bash in Berlin buildup?

While Gunther may be occupied in the main event scene, the author suggests that a brief interaction or staredown between him and Rollins would add significant gravity to Rollins' presence at the event. This would help break the trend of siloing top stars away from one another.

Seth Rollins at Bash in Berlin 2026: Time to Drop the Cackle and Bring the Violence

The Costume Party is Over

Seth Rollins is, without a doubt, one of the best in-ring performers of his generation. You do not get the moniker of the Monday Night Messiah or The Visionary by accident. But as we head into Bash in Berlin 2026, something has to give. The constant cackling, the conductor routines for his theme song, the outfits that look like they were pulled from a discounted Lady Gaga wardrobe—it is all starting to wear incredibly thin.

Think back to his run with the World Heavyweight Championship in 2023 and early 2024. He put the working boots on and defended that title with a broken back. He gave us absolute wars with Shinsuke Nakamura and Drew McIntyre. But lately, the character has felt stuck in neutral. We get the entrance, the song, the laugh, and then a perfectly executed, heavily choreographed 20-minute match that does not advance his story one bit.

Berlin is being billed as a massive summer showcase for Rollins. It is prime real estate. But if WWE books him in another paint-by-numbers exhibition against a midcard guy just to pop the crowd, it is a monumental waste of his talent. He does not need another match where he hits three suicide dives and a Falcon Arrow just to kick out at two. He needs violence. He needs stakes.

Who is the Right Opponent?

If you are going to put Rollins in a marquee spot in Germany, you have to lean into the European talent. Putting him against an American rival right now just feels like standard Raw programming exported to a different time zone. The answer here is obvious, and his name is Ilja Dragunov.

Dragunov is exactly the kind of unhinged, stiff-working machine that brings out the absolute best in Rollins. When Rollins is forced to abandon the sports entertainment tropes and just fight for his life, he reminds everyone why he was the MVP of the Shield. Remember his matches against Cody Rhodes inside Hell in a Cell? That is the Rollins we need back. Dragunov throwing those terrifying chops, turning Rollins chest to raw hamburger meat—that is how you make the Visionary sympathetic again.

There is also the looming shadow of Gunther. While the Ring General might be tied up in the main event picture, the history between him and Rollins is undeniable. A backstage interaction, a slight, or even just a staredown in the lead-up to Berlin would add immense gravity to whatever Rollins is doing. But WWE has a bad habit of siloing their top stars. We rarely see Rollins interact with the Bloodline or the Judgment Day unless he is explicitly feuding with them.

The Booking Problem

This brings us to the biggest flaw in how Triple H has handled Rollins recently. The pacing. Everything with Rollins feels incredibly rushed or dragged out for months with no escalation. He will have a heated promo on a Monday, disappear for two weeks, and then suddenly be in a Bloodsport-style brawl right before the premium live event. The connective tissue is missing.

At Bash in Berlin, WWE needs to lay the groundwork for his eventual WrestleMania 43 program. You cannot just have him hit a Stomp, sing his song, and wave to the fans. There needs to be a post-match angle. A beatdown. A heel turn. Something. The crowd in Berlin is going to be rabid. European crowds, much like we saw at Backlash in Lyon or Clash at the Castle, do not just react; they participate. They will sing his song for a full 10 minutes if you let them.

But singing is not storytelling.

If Rollins wins in Berlin, it should cost him something. Let him get the pin, but have him barely able to stand. If he loses, it needs to be the catalyst for a total character overhaul. Drop the Visionary moniker. Bring back the Architect. Bring back the guy who would stab his brothers in the back for a shot at glory. The modern WWE roster is too stacked with killers to have one of your top guys acting like a cartoon character every week.

What is Next for the Visionary?

The reality is that Seth Rollins is approaching the back nine of his career. The knee injuries, the back issues—they take a toll. He cannot work the frantic, high-flying style of his Ring of Honor days forever. What extends a career in wrestling is not the moveset; it is the mind. Look at Shawn Michaels second run or what Undertaker did from 2007 to 2013.

Rollins has that ring IQ, but he is hiding it behind a gimmick that feels completely divorced from the reality of the violence in the ring. Bash in Berlin 2026 should not just be a summer showcase; it should be an intervention.

Give us the Seth Rollins who threatened to curb stomp Edge on a briefcase. Give us the Seth Rollins who broke John Cena nose. The guy who showed up at WrestleMania 31 and pulled off the heist of the century. That guy was dangerous. The guy currently scheduled for Berlin is just a guy in a funny suit who happens to be really good at wrestling.

WWE has the chance to fix it this August. Let us hope they do not just give us another chorus of Whoa-oh-oh and call it a day.