WWE Superstar Seth Rollins celebrates becoming the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania 31 at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, March 29, 2015 in Santa Clara, CA. WrestleMania broke the Levi’s Stadium attendance record at 76,976 fans from all 50 states and 40 countries. (Don Feria, AP Images for WWE)
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins will be out of action for the next six to nine months after at a house show in Ireland Wednesday night.
ESPN’s Jonathan Coachman first reported the news.
Rollins was originally scheduled to defend his title against Roman Reigns at the Survivor Series pay-per-view on Nov. 22 in Atlanta.
With the injury, the WWE will hold a tournament at the PPV to determine a new champion. Details of the tournament have not been unveiled yet.
But who should be next to carry the mantle as the face of the WWE? Here’s a look at some possible candidates.
The Big Names
The established, multiple-reigns champions
John Cena
With one more world title Cena would tie Ric Flair’s storied mark for most world reigns. Cena’s been the face of the company for a decade now. Putting the belt on him would bring some stability for a while.
Brock Lesnar
The Beast has been built up to be virtually unstoppable. The only reason he lost the belt was because Rollins came in and capitalized late in Lesnar and Roman Reigns’ match. The question with this is: Who’s going to beat him?
The New Blood
Wrestlers who have yet to hold the title
Bray Wyatt
Storywise, he’s kind of a monster right now. He’s “taken” the souls of Undertaker and Kane and his Wyatt Family looks unstoppable. Putting the strap around his waist would be justified but would more than certainly change the inevitable plans for him and the Brothers of Destruction at Survivor Series.
Cesaro
Behind Rollins, Cesaro makes a claim as probably the most-entertaining wrestler in the ring on the roster.
Kevin Owens
Big bruiser, strong mic skills and entertaining in the ring. The intercontinental champion would rise quickly up the ranks if they crown him champion.
Dean Ambrose
Ambrose has become an unhinged crowd favorite since the breakup of The Shield. He’s consistently in the main events, has an entertaining array of moves
Roman Reigns
Probably the odds-on favorite to take belt, Reigns has been given a strong push all year (winning the Royal Rumble, headlining WrestleMania, becoming the No. 1 contender). He’s inevitably going to become champion. Is it good sooner than later?
The Pipe Dream
These would be awesome, but it won’t happen
CM Punk
Yes, he left on bad terms. Yes, he’s trying to make a career in the UFC. But how awesome would it be if “Cult of Personality” hits at Survivor Series?
Daniel Bryan
Probably the most-over wrestler on the roster when he’s healthy, Bryan deserves another turn as champion. He needs to get healthy first, though.
The New Day
Kofi Kingston, Big E, Austin Woods — it doesn’t matter who gets it. Freebird rules the world title.
