Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Seth Rollins

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Seth Rollins made an impact.

Colby Daniel Lopez, known as Seth Rollins, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE. He performs on the Raw brand and is the current Men's Money in the Bank contract holder, marking his second time achieving this milestone.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

August 21, 2004: Wrestling Debut

On August 21, 2004, Colby Lopez made his wrestling debut at age 19, wrestling in the Iowa independent scene under the ring name Gixx.

September 23, 2005: Ted Petty Invitational Tournament

On September 23, 2005, wrestling as Tyler Black, Lopez entered the Ted Petty Invitational Tournament in Hammond, Indiana, defeating Sal Thomaselli before being eliminated by Matt Sydal in the quarterfinals.

October 2006: TNA Appearance

In October 2006, Tyler Black briefly appeared in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), teaming with Jeff Luxon in a loss to The Latin American Xchange (Homicide and Hernandez) on Impact!.

September 15, 2007: ROH Debut and Formation of The Age of the Fall

On September 15, 2007, at the Ring of Honor (ROH) pay-per-view taping of Man Up, Tyler Black debuted alongside Jimmy Jacobs and Necro Butcher, forming The Age of the Fall. Their controversial angle was removed from the pay-per-view footage. Tyler Black also made his ROH in-ring debut later that night in a dark match against Jack Evans.

January 26, 2008: Lost ROH World Tag Team Championship

On January 26, 2008, Tyler Black and Jimmy Jacobs lost the ROH World Tag Team Championship to the No Remorse Corps (Davey Richards and Rocky Romero).

July 6, 2008: PWG World Tag Team Championship Win

On July 6, 2008, at PWG's Life During Wartime, Tyler Black and Jimmy Jacobs won the PWG World Tag Team Championship.

January 16, 2009: Non-title victory against Nigel McGuinness

On January 16, 2009, Tyler Black had a non-title match against then-ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness, where Black was victorious.

May 2, 2009: FIP World Heavyweight Championship awarded by forfeit

On May 2, 2009, Davey Richards was awarded the FIP World Heavyweight Championship by forfeit when Tyler Black was unable to compete.

2009: Survival of the Fittest tournament

In 2009, Tyler Black (Seth Rollins) won the Survival of the Fittest tournament in Ring of Honor (ROH).

February 13, 2010: ROH World Championship win

On February 13, 2010, Tyler Black defeated Austin Aries to win the ROH World Championship at ROH's Eighth Anniversary Show.

August 8, 2010: Signed WWE developmental contract

On August 8, 2010, Colby Lopez signed a developmental contract with WWE.

2010: Signed with WWE

In 2010, Seth Rollins signed with WWE and was sent to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), which was WWE's development territory at the time. Rollins became the inaugural FCW Grand Slam Champion.

January 13, 2011: FCW Jack Brisco 15 Champion

On January 13, 2011, Seth Rollins defeated Hunico to win the FCW Jack Brisco Classic tournament and became the inaugural FCW Jack Brisco 15 Champion.

July 2011: Feud with Dean Ambrose Begins

In July 2011, Seth Rollins began a feud with Dean Ambrose in Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW).

February 23, 2012: FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion

On February 23, 2012, Seth Rollins defeated Leo Kruger to become the new FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion.

August 2012: NXT Debut

In August 2012, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) was rebranded into NXT. Seth Rollins' NXT TV debut took place on June 27, and he defeated Jinder Mahal on August 29 to become the inaugural NXT Champion.

November 2012: Main Roster Debut

In November 2012, Seth Rollins debuted on WWE's main roster as part of The Shield, alongside Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns.

November 18, 2012: Main Roster Debut at Survivor Series

On November 18, 2012, at the Survivor Series pay-per-view, Seth Rollins debuted on the main roster as a heel, alongside Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns, attacking Ryback during the WWE Championship match, allowing CM Punk to retain the title. The trio declared themselves The Shield.

January 2, 2013: NXT Championship Defense

On January 2, 2013, Seth Rollins successfully defended the NXT Championship against Corey Graves.

January 2013: The Shield aids CM Punk

In January 2013, The Shield continued to aid CM Punk after TLC, attacking both Ryback and The Rock at Royal Rumble.

May 2013: WWE Tag Team Championship

In May 2013, Seth Rollins won his first main roster championship, the WWE Tag Team Championship, with Roman Reigns.

January 26, 2014: First Royal Rumble Match

On January 26, 2014, at the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins participated in his first Royal Rumble match, entering at number 2 and gaining three eliminations before being eliminated by teammate Roman Reigns.

2014: The Black & The Brave Wrestling Academy

In 2014, Seth Rollins and his former tag team partner Marek Brave started a Moline-based professional wrestling school called The Black & The Brave Wrestling Academy.

2014: Feud with Owens and Jericho

In 2014, Seth Rollins feuded with Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho after Bálor relinquished the title due to a shoulder injury sustained at SummerSlam.

2014: Joined The Authority

In 2014, Seth Rollins left The Shield and joined The Authority, establishing his on-screen character as a leading villain.

2014: Money in the Bank win

In 2014, Seth Rollins won the Money in the Bank ladder match.

January 5, 2015: The Authority Regains Control

On January 5, 2015, The Authority regained control over WWE.

March 2015: Curb Stomp Banned by WWE

In March 2015, WWE banned Seth Rollins' finishing move, the Curb Stomp, due to concerns over its appearance, with Vince McMahon deeming it "too cruel."

2015: Knee Injury and Championship Vacated

In 2015, during a match against Kane at a WWE live event in Dublin, Ireland, Seth Rollins tore his ACL, MCL, and medial meniscus in his knee. He was forced to vacate the WWE World Heavyweight Championship the next day due to the injury.

May 22, 2016: Return from Injury

On May 22, 2016, at Extreme Rules, Seth Rollins returned from injury, attacking Roman Reigns with a Pedigree after his WWE World Heavyweight Championship defense against AJ Styles.

2016: Heel Turn

In 2016, Seth Rollins turned heel for the first time since 2016.

January 2017: Feud with Triple H Begins

In January 2017, Seth Rollins started a feud with Triple H leading into WrestleMania. On January 28, Rollins appeared at NXT TakeOver: San Antonio, interrupting the show and demanding to confront Triple H.

January 2018: The Stomp's return

In January 2018, WWE unbanned Seth Rollins' finisher move, the Curb Stomp, but renamed it to "the Stomp" to distance it from any potential association with real-life violence.

January 28, 2018: Royal Rumble Appearance and Tag Title Loss

On January 28, 2018, at the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins entered at number 18 but was eliminated by Reigns. Right after the Royal Rumble match, they lost the Raw Tag Team titles back to Cesaro and Sheamus.

January 27, 2019: Royal Rumble Win

On January 27, 2019, Seth Rollins won his first Royal Rumble match by last eliminating Braun Strowman.

2019: Opening of 329 Dport coffee shop

In 2019, Seth Rollins opened a coffee shop called 329 Dport in his hometown of Davenport, Iowa.

2019: Royal Rumble win

In 2019, Seth Rollins won the Royal Rumble match.

2019: The "Monday Night Messiah" persona

In late 2019, Seth Rollins turned into a villainous character, aligning himself with the AOP and dubbing himself the "Monday Night Messiah," comparing himself to Jesus and debuting a new entrance song.

January 20, 2020: Raw Tag Team Championship Win

On January 20, 2020, Seth Rollins and Buddy Murphy defeated The Viking Raiders to win the Raw Tag Team Championship.

2020: Drafted to SmackDown Brand

In 2020, as part of the WWE draft, Seth Rollins was drafted to the SmackDown brand.

January 31, 2021: Royal Rumble Appearance and Elimination

On January 31, 2021, at the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins entered at number 29 but was ultimately eliminated by Edge, who went on to win the match.

January 1, 2022: WWE Championship Match at Day 1

On January 1, 2022, Seth Rollins competed in a fatal four-way match for the WWE Championship against Big E, Kevin Owens, and Bobby Lashley at Day 1. Brock Lesnar was added to the match and ultimately won the title.

2022: Adoption of the "Freakin'" moniker and "The Visionary" persona

From 2022, Seth Rollins added "Freakin'" to his ring name, adopting a persona nicknamed "The Visionary," characterized as a boastful and delusional egomaniac with an eccentric personality and outlandish fashion sense.