Seth Rollins reveals amazing story behind WWE name

Seth Rollins has pulled back the curtain on one of wrestling’s intriguing backstories, revealing the process behind his WWE ring name and the legendary figure who ultimately selected it. The former WWE World Champion shared details about his name selection during an appearance on the Games With Names podcast.

Before ascending to WWE stardom, Rollins performed on the independent wrestling circuit under the name Tyler Black. That moniker served him well during his years with Ring of Honor, where he captured the ROH World Championship and built a reputation as one of independent wrestling’s top talents.

Protecting independent identity

When transitioning to WWE in 2010, Rollins made a strategic decision regarding his established ring name. He maintained ownership rights to the Tyler Black name rather than surrendering them to WWE, a move that protects his ability to use that identity should he ever depart the company.

This business-savvy approach demonstrates Rollins’ understanding of the wrestling industry and the importance of controlling one’s intellectual property. Many wrestlers have lost rights to ring names they created, finding themselves unable to use those identities when working for other promotions.

The decision to retain ownership of Tyler Black means Rollins could theoretically return to using that name in the future if circumstances changed. This flexibility provides him options that many other performers who signed away their name rights do not possess.

Creating the selection list

When faced with developing a new ring name for WWE, Rollins took a methodical approach to the creative process. He compiled comprehensive lists containing potential first names and last names that appealed to him personally and professionally.

The first name Seth made its way onto his list primarily because no one on WWE’s main roster was currently using it. Rollins admitted during the podcast that he could not recall any deeper significance behind choosing Seth specifically, but the availability factor played a role in its inclusion.

The surname Rollins carried more personal meaning behind its selection. The wrestler revealed he was a significant fan of Henry Rollins, the punk rock musician and spoken word artist known for his intense performances and counterculture credibility. The admiration for Henry Rollins as a cool and authentic figure influenced the decision to add that surname to his list of possibilities.

Dusty Rhodes makes the final call

With his lists prepared, Rollins brought his options to Dusty Rhodes, who served as head of creative and developmental for WWE at that time. The American Dream held significant influence over talent development and had responsibility for helping new performers establish their WWE identities.

Rhodes reviewed the various combinations of first and last names that Rollins had assembled. After considering the different possibilities, the legendary wrestler and booker expressed strong preference for the combination of Seth Rollins. His endorsement essentially finalized the name that would carry the performer through more than a decade of WWE success.

The involvement of someone as respected as Dusty Rhodes in the naming process added weight to the selection. Rhodes possessed decades of experience in the wrestling business and understood what names resonated with audiences and had staying power in the industry.

Name serves successful career

The Seth Rollins identity has proven remarkably successful throughout his WWE tenure. The name has been associated with multiple championship reigns, memorable feuds and some of the most critically acclaimed matches in recent WWE history.

Rollins has held the WWE Championship, Universal Championship and numerous other titles while performing under the name. His work has helped define modern WWE programming and established him as one of the company’s most reliable main event performers.

The story behind the name adds another layer to understanding how WWE Superstars are created and how collaborative the process can be between talent and creative forces like Rhodes.

This article is based on reporting from Wrestling Inc. and the Games With Names podcast.