History of Seth Rollins in Timeline
Seth "Freakin" Rollins, born Colby Daniel Lopez, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE's Raw brand. Highly regarded for his in-ring talent and character work, he is considered one of the best active wrestlers and among the greatest of his generation.
May 28, 1986: Birth of Colby Daniel Lopez
Colby Daniel Lopez, who would later be known as Seth Rollins, was born on May 28, 1986.
August 21, 2004: Seth Rollins Makes Wrestling Debut as Gixx
At the young age of 19, Seth Rollins, then known as Gixx, stepped into the ring for the first time on August 21, 2004, marking the beginning of his professional wrestling journey.
2004: Seth Rollins Graduates High School
Seth Rollins graduated from Davenport West High School in 2004, marking the end of his high school years.
September 23, 2005: Seth Rollins Competes in Ted Petty Invitational Tournament
Seth Rollins, wrestling under the name Tyler Black, participated in the prestigious Ted Petty Invitational Tournament on September 23, 2005, showcasing his skills on a larger stage.
October 2006: Seth Rollins's TNA Appearance
Seth Rollins made a brief appearance for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in October 2006, teaming with Jeff Luxon in a match against The Latin American Xchange.
May 25, 2007: Seth Rollins Transitions to Singles Competition
A career-altering moment occurred on May 25, 2007, when Seth Rollins's tag team partner, Marek Brave, suffered an injury. This unfortunate event led Rollins to pursue a singles career, which would ultimately define his legacy.
September 15, 2007: The Age of the Fall Arrives in ROH
The wrestling world witnessed the debut of The Age of the Fall, a controversial stable featuring Seth Rollins, Jimmy Jacobs, and Necro Butcher, in Ring of Honor (ROH) on September 15, 2007.
January 26, 2008: Seth Rollins and Jimmy Jacobs Lose ROH Tag Team Championship
Seth Rollins and Jimmy Jacobs's reign as ROH World Tag Team Champions came to an end on January 26, 2008, after a hard-fought match against formidable opponents.
July 6, 2008: Seth Rollins and Jimmy Jacobs Capture PWG Tag Team Championship
Seth Rollins and Jimmy Jacobs joined forces to win the PWG World Tag Team Championship on July 6, 2008, solidifying their status as a dominant force in tag team wrestling.
January 16, 2009: Victory over Nigel McGuinness
On January 16, 2009, Seth Rollins, then known as Tyler Black, secured a victory against Nigel McGuinness, who was the ROH World Champion at the time, in a non-title match at the Full Circle event.
May 2, 2009: Seth Rollins Forfeits FIP World Heavyweight Championship
Seth Rollins was forced to relinquish the FIP World Heavyweight Championship on May 2, 2009, due to unforeseen circumstances that prevented him from competing.
September 2009: Hiatus and Tournament Win
In September 2009, Seth Rollins, under the ring name Tyler Black, took a hiatus from wrestling to undergo neck surgery. Despite this setback, he made a triumphant return later that year. On October 10, he participated in the 2009 Survival of the Fittest tournament, where he emerged victorious after defeating Kenny King, Claudio Castagnoli, Colt Cabana, Delirious, Chris Hero, and Roderick Strong. This victory earned him a shot at the ROH World Championship.
2009: Seth Rollins's Rise in ROH
In 2009, Seth Rollins, then known as Tyler Black, won the ROH Survival of the Fittest tournament, solidifying his status as a rising star outside of WWE.
February 13, 2010: ROH World Championship Victory
On February 13, 2010, at ROH's Eighth Anniversary Show, Seth Rollins, known then as Tyler Black, achieved a significant career milestone by defeating Austin Aries to become the ROH World Champion. This victory came after a 60-minute time limit draw between the two at Final Battle, ROH's first live pay-per-view, on December 19, 2009.
August 8, 2010: Signing with WWE
On August 8, 2010, Seth Rollins's career took a significant turn as he signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He was subsequently assigned to their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), marking the beginning of his journey in the company.
January 13, 2011: FCW Jack Brisco 15 Champion
On January 13, 2011, Seth Rollins etched his name in FCW history by becoming the inaugural FCW Jack Brisco 15 Champion. He achieved this feat by defeating Hunico in the finals of the FCW 15 Jack Brisco Classic tournament.
July 2011: Feud with Dean Ambrose Begins
In July 2011, Seth Rollins's rivalry with Dean Ambrose began, marking the start of a long and intense feud between the two future WWE superstars. This rivalry would go on to become a defining chapter in both of their careers, filled with memorable matches and moments.
2011: Historic Match with Cody Rhodes
In 2011, Seth Rollins's feud with Cody Rhodes culminated in a Hell in a Cell match that received a five-star rating from Dave Meltzer, a first for a WWE main roster match since 2011 and the first in Rollins's career.
February 23, 2012: FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion
On February 23, 2012, Seth Rollins added another championship to his name by defeating Leo Kruger to become the new FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion. This victory solidified his status as a rising star in the developmental territory.
August 2012: NXT Debut and Championship Win
In August 2012, WWE rebranded its developmental territory, FCW, into NXT. Seth Rollins made his televised NXT debut during the second episode of the rebooted show on June 27, defeating Jiro. He then set his sights on the Gold Rush Tournament to crown the inaugural NXT Champion. In the tournament finals on August 29, Rollins emerged victorious against Jinder Mahal, becoming the first-ever NXT Champion.
November 18, 2012: Main Roster Debut as The Shield
Seth Rollins made his impactful main roster debut at the Survivor Series pay-per-view on November 18, 2012. Alongside Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns, they formed The Shield, a dominant faction that would leave a lasting mark on WWE. They interfered in the triple threat main event for the WWE Championship, attacking Ryback and allowing CM Punk to pin John Cena, thus establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
2012: The Shield Debuts in WWE
The wrestling world was introduced to The Shield, a dominant trio consisting of Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns, at Survivor Series in 2012.
January 2, 2013: Successful NXT Championship Defense
On January 2, 2013, Seth Rollins showcased his dominance as NXT Champion by successfully defending his title against Corey Graves. This victory further solidified his reign as champion and demonstrated his resilience in the ring.
January 9, 2013: Loss of NXT Championship
On January 9, 2013, Seth Rollins's reign as NXT Champion came to an end when he lost the title to Big E Langston in a No Disqualification match. Despite this setback, Rollins continued to make waves in NXT and on the main roster.
January 2013: The Shield's Continued Dominance
Throughout January 2013, The Shield continued their reign of dominance, targeting CM Punk's adversaries and solidifying their position as a force to be reckoned with in WWE. They orchestrated attacks on both Ryback and The Rock, showcasing their ruthlessness and commitment to their cause.
January 26, 2014: First Royal Rumble Appearance
Seth Rollins participated in his first Royal Rumble match on January 26, 2014, entering at number two. Despite a strong showing and three eliminations, his quest for Rumble glory was cut short by his own Shield teammate, Roman Reigns.
2014: Rollins Turns Face
In 2014, Seth Rollins underwent a significant character transformation, turning from a villainous character into a heroic one, marking a turning point in his career.
2014: The Black & The Brave Wrestling Academy Founded
Seth Rollins co-founded The Black & The Brave Wrestling Academy, a professional wrestling school in Moline, Illinois, with Marek Brave in 2014.
January 5, 2015: The Authority Returns
On January 5, 2015, The Authority, a powerful faction in WWE, made their return and seized control over the company.
February 9, 2015: Leaked Photos Controversy
Seth Rollins was involved in a controversy in February 2015 when nude photos of him and his then-girlfriend, Zahra Schreiber, were leaked online.
March 2015: Curb Stomp Banned
Seth Rollins' finishing move, the Curb Stomp, was banned by WWE in March 2015 due to concerns about its appearance being "too cruel" according to then-chairman Vince McMahon.
2015: Seth Rollins Achieves Grand Slam Champion Status
In 2015, Seth Rollins achieved the prestigious WWE Grand Slam Champion status, highlighting his dominance across different divisions.
2015: Seth Rollins Tops PWI 500
Seth Rollins's dominance in professional wrestling was recognized in 2015 when he secured the top spot on Pro Wrestling Illustrated's prestigious PWI 500 list.
2015: Seth Rollins: Superstar of the Year
Seth Rollins's exceptional performances and impact on WWE programming earned him the Slammy Award for Superstar of the Year in 2015.
February 25, 2016: Breakup with Zahra Schreiber
Seth Rollins and Zahra Schreiber ended their relationship on February 25, 2016.
May 22, 2016: Rollins Returns From Injury
On May 22, 2016, Seth Rollins made a shocking return to WWE after recovering from a knee injury. He attacked Roman Reigns, setting the stage for a future title match.
2016: Rollins Turns Heel
In 2016, Seth Rollins underwent a character shift, turning from a heroic figure back into a villain. He adopted the persona of the "Monday Night Messiah," claiming to act for the "greater good" even as he resorted to ruthless tactics.
January 2017: Rollins Feuds With Triple H
In January 2017, Seth Rollins entered into a heated rivalry with Triple H, a WWE legend and authority figure. This feud culminated in a high-stakes match at WrestleMania 33.
January 2018: Curb Stomp Returns
Seth Rollins' finishing move, the Curb Stomp, was unbanned by WWE in January 2018 and renamed the Stomp.
January 28, 2018: Rollins at the Royal Rumble
On January 28, 2018, Seth Rollins participated in the Royal Rumble, a prestigious over-the-top-rope battle royal. He also competed in a tag team match, where he and Jason Jordan lost the Raw Tag Team Championship titles.
January 2019: Relationship with Becky Lynch Begins
Seth Rollins began dating fellow wrestler Rebecca Quin, known as Becky Lynch, in January 2019.
January 27, 2019: Rollins Wins the Royal Rumble
Seth Rollins emerged victorious at the Royal Rumble on January 27, 2019, earning a championship match opportunity at WrestleMania 35.
2019: United States Championship Reign and Face Turn
In 2019, Seth Rollins achieved a significant milestone by becoming a two-time WWE Grand Slam Champion, the second wrestler to do so after The Miz. This came after he won the United States Championship for the second time. Later that year, he turned face for the first time since 2019, marking a shift in his character.
2019: Seth Rollins Discovers Siblings Through DNA Test
In an unexpected turn of events, Seth Rollins learned about the existence of his brother and sister through a DNA test in 2019.
2019: The Monday Night Messiah
Seth Rollins adopted the persona of "The Monday Night Messiah" in 2019, aligning himself with AOP and comparing himself to Jesus. He debuted a new entrance song and recruited "disciples" like Murphy and Austin Theory.
2019: 329 Dport Coffee Shop Opened
Seth Rollins opened a coffee shop named 329 Dport in his hometown of Davenport, Iowa, in 2019.
2019: Seth Rollins Reclaims PWI 500 Crown
Seth Rollins's consistent excellence earned him the top spot on the PWI 500 list for the second time in 2019.
2019: Seth Rollins Triumphs in the Royal Rumble
Seth Rollins's victory in the 2019 Royal Rumble match cemented his place as a top-tier competitor, securing him a world championship match at WrestleMania.
January 20, 2020: Rollins Wins Tag Team Championship
Seth Rollins and Buddy Murphy teamed up to win the Raw Tag Team Championship on January 20, 2020, marking Rollins' sixth reign with this particular title.
January 26, 2020: Rollins in the 2020 Royal Rumble
Seth Rollins entered the 2020 Royal Rumble as the last participant but was eliminated by the eventual winner, Drew McIntyre.
December 2020: Birth of Daughter
Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch welcomed their daughter in December 2020.
2020: End of an Alliance and Draft to SmackDown
In 2020, Seth Rollins's alliance with Murphy ended after a disagreement led to a physical altercation on the October 5th episode of Raw. Following this, Rollins was drafted to the SmackDown brand during the WWE Draft.
January 31, 2021: Return at the Royal Rumble and Feud with Cesaro
On January 31, 2021, Seth Rollins returned from a hiatus at the Royal Rumble, entering at number 29. He made it to the final three before being eliminated by Edge, the eventual winner. This marked the beginning of his feud with Cesaro.
June 29, 2021: Marriage to Becky Lynch
Seth Rollins married fellow wrestler Rebecca Quin, known as Becky Lynch, on June 29, 2021.
2021: Feud with Edge and Draft to Raw
In 2021, Seth Rollins's interference in the Universal Championship match between Roman Reigns and Edge ignited a feud with Edge. The rivalry culminated in a Hell in a Cell match at Crown Jewel, where Rollins was defeated. Subsequently, he was drafted to the Raw brand during the WWE Draft.
2021: The Visionary
Seth Rollins added "Freakin" to his ring name in 2021 and adopted the persona of "The Visionary", a boastful egomaniac with an eccentric personality and outlandish fashion sense.
January 1, 2022: Championship Pursuit and Feud with Cody Rhodes
On January 1, 2022, at Day 1, Seth Rollins failed to win the WWE Championship in a fatal four-way match. He adopted the moniker "Seth "Freakin" Rollins" this month. His pursuit of a championship opportunity led to a feud with Cody Rhodes, starting at WrestleMania 38.
July 2022: Second UpUpDownDown Championship Win
Seth Rollins won the UpUpDownDown Championship for a second time in July 2022 by defeating Riddle in the finals of a WWE 2K22 tournament.
2022: Seth Rollins Named Sports Illustrated's Wrestler of the Year
Seth Rollins's remarkable year in 2022 was capped off with a prestigious accolade as Sports Illustrated named him their Wrestler of the Year.
January 2, 2023: Championship Pursuits and WrestleMania Victory
On January 2, 2023, Seth Rollins unsuccessfully challenged Theory for the United States Championship. Despite a loss to Logan Paul at the Royal Rumble, Rollins secured a victory against Paul at WrestleMania 39.
2023: Seth Rollins's Historic PWI 500 Three-Peat
Solidifying his legacy, Seth Rollins achieved an unprecedented feat in 2023 by topping the PWI 500 for the third time, a testament to his enduring impact on professional wrestling.
January 1, 2024: World Heavyweight Championship Reign and WarGames
On January 1, 2024, Seth Rollins continued his reign as World Heavyweight Champion, defending his title against multiple opponents. He also participated in the WarGames match at Survivor Series, teaming up with notable wrestlers and emerging victorious.
March 4, 2024: Return from Injury and WrestleMania XL
On March 4, 2024, Seth Rollins returned to action after recovering from an MCL injury. He participated in a high-profile tag team match at WrestleMania XL, teaming with Cody Rhodes against Roman Reigns and The Rock. Although his team was unsuccessful, Rollins played a role in helping Rhodes defeat Reigns the following night.
