The new World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins, has revealed the intricate details behind what he is calling the “Ruse of the Century.”
On Monday, Rollins confirmed that his recent, career-threatening knee injury was a complete fabrication, a three-week deception designed to facilitate his shocking Money in the Bank cash-in at SummerSlam.
Rollins appeared on The Rich Eisen Show to gloat about his masterful plan. His appearance came less than 48 hours after he cashed in on CM Punk to win the World Heavyweight Championship at the conclusion of SummerSlam Night One.
Seth Rollins Executing The “Ruse of the Century”
Rollins explained the elaborate lengths he went to in order to sell the fake injury. He revealed that even his wife, fellow WWE superstar Becky Lynch, was an “unwilling participant” in the scheme.
“She was very upset at me for making me lie to all of her friends and family for the better part of three weeks,” Rollins said (H/T to Fightful). “I said, ‘Honey, just trust me, the payoff will be great.'”
He also shared a humorous story about his young daughter, Roux, almost blowing his cover. “First thing she did was go and tell her preschool teacher, Ms. Joy, immediately,” he laughed. “Thank you, Roux, thank you, Ms. Joy.” He noted that the three weeks of limping around on crutches was “excruciating,” but worth it for the “greater good.”
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Global Citizen
A Masterclass In Deception By Seth Rollins
Rollins’ plan is a modern example of a “worked shoot” injury, a classic wrestling angle designed to blur the lines between reality and storyline. The ruse began at the Saturday Night’s Main Event premium live event on July 12, where he faked the knee injury during a match with LA Knight, leading to an unplanned loss.
In the weeks that followed, reports confirmed the “legitimacy” of the injury, and he was even seen on crutches in a video posted by his wife.
The entire wrestling world was convinced he would be out for months. This masterful deception is reminiscent of Mark Henry’s famous fake retirement speech in 2013, and it has cemented Rollins’ reputation as a cunning strategist.
More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match
The Heist Part II
The shocking cash-in at SummerSlam is also a direct callback to the most iconic moment of Rollins’ career. At WrestleMania 31 in 2015, he created the “Heist of the Century” when he cashed in his first Money in the Bank contract during the main event. This “Ruse of the Century” is the perfect spiritual successor, further cementing his legacy as the greatest Money in the Bank holder of all time.
The target of the ruse, CM Punk, makes the moment even more significant. The deep, personal animosity between Rollins and Punk is well-documented, and this elaborate, three-week deception was the ultimate way for Rollins to deny his nemesis his fairytale championship moment.
More WWE News:
For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.