Seth Rollins and His Wrestling Accolades: Career Highlights and Major Achievements
- kennyherrholz
- Jun 10
- 9 min read
Seth Rollins has built an impressive career in WWE, earning respect for his talent and adaptability in the ring. He is recognized as one of the top wrestlers of his generation, holding major titles and breaking records along the way. Rollins is a multiple-time world champion and has accomplished some of the most difficult feats in professional wrestling.
With victories in events like Money in the Bank and storied rivalries, Rollins has proven his skills on the biggest stages. He is also known for his memorable tag team runs, special recognitions, and his place on top wrestling lists. Fans and critics continue to praise his achievements and the impact he has made in the wrestling world.
Key Takeaways
Rollins has multiple world championship reigns.
He earned success in tag teams and major tournaments.
He is often recognized for awards and record-breaking achievements.
WWE Championship Reigns
Seth Rollins is recognized for winning multiple top championships in WWE. His time as Universal Champion and World Heavyweight Champion includes several key matches, important milestones, and memorable rivalries.
Universal Championship Victories
Rollins captured the WWE Universal Championship on two different occasions. His first title win happened at WrestleMania 35, when he defeated Brock Lesnar in a highly anticipated match. This victory marked a major moment in his career, as Lesnar had been a dominant champion for a long time. Rollins quickly established himself as a strong champion by defending against competitors like AJ Styles and Baron Corbin.
During his second reign, he continued to face top stars and remained at the center of the WWE main event picture. His feuds during these times helped build his reputation as one of the reliable top stars in WWE. These matches stood out for their intensity and storytelling, with Rollins using both his athleticism and ring awareness to keep the audience invested.
In short, Seth Rollins' Universal Championship wins gave him a place among the elite main-event wrestlers in WWE history. His victories are covered further in detail in various wrestling resources, such as this list of Seth Rollins’ championships.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Wins
Rollins has also won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship three times. His first and most famous win came at WrestleMania 31 when he cashed in his Money in the Bank contract during the main event, turning the match into a triple threat. He pinned Roman Reigns to win, making history as the first person to cash in the contract at WrestleMania.
He captured the championship again at Money in the Bank 2016 by defeating Roman Reigns. However, Dean Ambrose cashed in his contract minutes later and beat Rollins for the title the same night. Rollins’ third reign highlights his ability to perform at the top level repeatedly, overcoming top names and delivering in high-pressure matches.
Throughout these reigns, Rollins proved that he could thrive in both surprise opportunities and direct one-on-one contests. His championship resume is detailed on the WWE singles title reigns page.
Notable Title Defenses
Seth Rollins is known for his high-quality and memorable title defenses. Some of his most talked-about matches as champion were against Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles, Baron Corbin, and Braun Strowman. He managed to beat Lesnar on big stages like WrestleMania and SummerSlam, which helped solidify his legacy.
His defenses often include a mix of speed, technical skills, and resilience when facing different styles of challengers. He has been praised for consistently bringing energy and excitement to main event matches. These bouts often received positive reviews from fans and wrestling critics.
In many of his matches, Rollins was able to stay champion against strong opponents, sometimes overcoming outside interference and surprising tactics. His ability to retain titles in difficult situations is a key part of his reputation as a top WWE performer. More match details and career highlights are available in his WWE profile.
Tag Team Achievements for Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins has stood out as a skilled tag team competitor, winning multiple championships and working with some of WWE’s most popular stars. His tag team success forms a major part of his wrestling legacy and has led to many impressive moments across his career.
Raw Tag Team Championships
Seth Rollins has captured the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship multiple times. His first win came with Dean Ambrose at SummerSlam 2017. The pair defeated Cesaro and Sheamus in a highly praised match. They went on to hold the titles for several months.
Rollins also won these titles with Jason Jordan in early 2018 when Ambrose was injured. Later, he added another reign with Braun Strowman in 2019. This made Rollins one of the few Superstars to win the Raw Tag Team Championship with three different partners.
A simple breakdown of his Raw Tag Team Championship partners is shown below:
This variety of partnerships highlights Rollins’ adaptability and strong in-ring chemistry with different wrestlers.
Partnerships with Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose
The most iconic tag team run came as part of The Shield. Rollins, Roman Reigns, and Dean Ambrose made their main roster debut together and quickly became a dominant force. Their teamwork brought them success as WWE Tag Team Champions.
Rollins and Reigns claimed the WWE Tag Team Titles at Extreme Rules 2013, defeating Team Hell No. Their run as champions lasted 148 days, setting them apart from other teams. The Shield’s unique tactics and strong unity helped revitalize the tag division.
As a trio, The Shield often used a mix of coordinated attacks and creative strategies. Rollins played a key role as both a high-flyer and strategist, making their matches unpredictable and exciting for fans. The Shield’s chemistry and success created many memorable moments in WWE history.
More information about this run and The Shield’s accomplishments can be found on Seth Rollins' career profile.
Other Tag Title Alliances
Beyond his well-known partners, Rollins has joined alliances that led to more tag team gold. For example, Rollins partnered with Murphy (formerly Buddy Murphy) in early 2020, capturing the Raw Tag Team Championship. The duo worked as members of Rollins’ faction, adding a new layer to his tag team record.
Rollins has also shown he can shift from friend to rival. At different times, former allies like Ambrose or Reigns have competed against him for tag and singles gold, making each new alliance or split feel significant. This mix of trust and betrayal has kept fans interested in Rollins’ tag team stories.
Rollins’ record as a tag team wrestler is marked by both adaptability and leadership. For a detailed list of his championship wins and partners, see this detailed summary of Seth Rollins' tag team and career achievements.
Major Tournament Wins
Seth Rollins has earned several of the most recognized achievements in WWE. He has won the Money in the Bank briefcase, claimed victory at the Royal Rumble, and completed the Grand Slam Championship.
Money in the Bank
Rollins won the Money in the Bank ladder match in 2014. This win gave him a contract that could be cashed in for a WWE World Championship match at any time, anywhere.
He made history by cashing in during the main event of WrestleMania 31. During the match between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns, Rollins entered, turning the fight into a triple threat. He pinned Roman Reigns to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
This surprise moment is often called “the heist of the century.” It remains one of the most memorable Money in the Bank cash-ins in WWE history for its unexpected timing and dramatic impact on WrestleMania.
Royal Rumble Winner
In 2019, Seth Rollins entered the men’s Royal Rumble match and outlasted 29 other wrestlers. He entered the ring at number 10. During the final moments, he eliminated Braun Strowman to secure the victory.
As a result, Rollins earned a title shot at WrestleMania 35. He chose to face Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship. At WrestleMania 35, Rollins defeated Lesnar and captured the Universal title.
The Royal Rumble victory underscored his toughness and ability to compete with the best. It also provided momentum that led to one of the high points of his career. More details about this win can be found on the DAZN site.
Grand Slam Champion Status
Seth Rollins became WWE’s 29th Triple Crown Champion and the 19th Grand Slam Champion. The Triple Crown involves holding a world championship, a tag team championship, and a secondary singles title. The Grand Slam means winning four specific championships within a career.
Rollins has held:
WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Universal Championship
Intercontinental Championship
United States Championship
Raw Tag Team Championship
By winning each of these championships, Rollins joined a select group of wrestlers with this honor. His place as a Grand Slam Champion marks him as one of WWE’s most accomplished competitors.
Special Recognitions and Awards
Seth Rollins has received a wide range of honors that reflect his skill, popularity, and impact in wrestling. These recognitions come from both WWE itself and respected wrestling publications.
Slammy Awards
The Slammy Awards are WWE’s way of celebrating standout moments and superstars each year. Seth Rollins has collected multiple Slammy Awards during his career, highlighting his reach and popularity with fans. He has won awards in categories like "Superstar of the Year," "Tag Team of the Year," and "Match of the Year."
A few of Rollins's most notable Slammy wins include:
Superstar of the Year (2015): This award recognized him as the top performer on the WWE roster.
Match of the Year (2014): Rollins’s performance as part of Team Cena vs. Team Authority at Survivor Series earned him this honor.
Tag Team of the Year (2013): As a member of The Shield with Roman Reigns, he took home this prize.
His multiple wins show his importance within WWE and his ability to connect with the audience.
Pro Wrestling Illustrated Honors
Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) is a well-known wrestling magazine that honors top wrestlers each year. Seth Rollins has received major recognition from PWI several times, making him stand out in the industry. He was ranked number one on the PWI 500 list in 2015, 2019, and 2023.
PWI also awarded him "Wrestler of the Year" in 2015 due to his dominant performances and championship wins. Rollins’s high rankings in PWI’s lists reflect his consistency at a main-event level and his respect among wrestling experts. These honors underscore his position as an elite performer on a global stage.
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Accolades
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON) is a respected publication for detailed analysis within the wrestling community. Seth Rollins has earned praise from WON, especially for his in-ring work. He received recognition for "Best Gimmick" as The Architect and "Most Improved" during his early years in WWE.
Many readers and analysts at WON have regularly named Rollins’s matches among the best of each year. He has been nominated for "Match of the Year" several times, thanks to standout performances in events like WrestleMania and SummerSlam.
Rollins’s awards from WON highlight his technical ability and the respect he commands from critics and fans who closely follow wrestling.
Record-Breaking Moments
Seth Rollins has set himself apart in WWE through impressive feats at major pay-per-view events, lengthy championship runs, and landmark matches that highlight his place in wrestling history. His accomplishments showcase both skill and consistency at the top level.
Historic WrestleMania Performances
Rollins made headlines at WrestleMania 31 when he became the first wrestler to cash in his Money in the Bank contract during the main event. By pinning Roman Reigns, Rollins won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in front of a worldwide audience.
He also competed in several high-profile matches, such as facing Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 35. This bout opened the show, and Rollins defeated Lesnar to become Universal Champion. These moments are still viewed as some of his most iconic performances and are remembered as standout highlights at WrestleMania.
Longest Title Reigns
Seth Rollins held the WWE World Heavyweight Championship for over 220 days during his first reign in 2015. This run was one of the longest at the time and showed his ability to stay at the top despite facing strong opponents.
Rollins also had a notable run with the Intercontinental Championship, having multiple reigns and holding the title for over 70 days in 2018. He contributed to raising the prestige of that title in WWE, defending it against various challengers on pay-per-view and weekly TV.
When he won the inaugural World Heavyweight Championship in 2023, Rollins again maintained the title for an extended period. This cemented his status as a record-setting champion with significant title reigns.
Milestone Matches
Rollins has competed in many milestone matches that stand out in WWE history. Some examples include being part of the first major six-man tag match as a member of The Shield at TLC 2012, which set the group’s legacy in motion.
He also competed in the first Universal Championship match at SummerSlam 2016 and took part in high-stakes bouts such as the Gauntlet Match on Raw in 2018, where he wrestled for over an hour.
Rollins’s involvement in these landmark matches helped shape key moments for WWE and proved his ability to shine on some of the biggest stages. His record in marquee matches is backed up by memorable performances.
