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Seth Rollins Claims He Never Relinquished The World Championship

Originally posted on The Sportster | By Josh Coulson | Last updated Dec 20, 2025 2:23 PM ET

Seth Rollins took a hiatus from WWE in October to recover from an injury and was forced to hand over the World Championship on his way out the door. Two months later, and with no return date in sight, Rollins not only refuses to acknowledge CM Punk's reign, but he claims he is still WWE's World Champion despite being sidelined.

Rollins made the bold claim that he is technically still WWE World Champion to Clutchpoints. "The primary [target] in my return will actually not be a person at all, it’ll be a thing. That would be the World Heavyweight Championship because I never lost the title, so I am rightfully the World Heavyweight Champion," Rollins said.

Seth Rollins Doesn't Recognize Any World Champion Who Isn't Him

The Visionary relinquished the title on Raw after his former stablemates attacked him, using the angle as cover so that Rollins could take time off to recover from a legitimate injury. However, after sitting and stewing on the situation for two months, Rollins is claiming WWE took the title from him, insinuating that the relinquishment was forced.

"I was stripped of that championship, and anybody who [is] in possession of that title, be it CM Punk, be it Bron Breakker, anybody who stands in my way, they will be dealt with." If Rollins were to return to WWE tomorrow, that man would indeed be Punk. However, Punk and Breakker are embroiled in an intense rivalry, and it feels like it's only a matter of time until the second-generation star wins what will likely be his first of many World Titles in WWE.

Who Will Be World Champion When Rollins Returns?

Throw in Rollins claiming he's actually still champion, regardless of how the dust settles between Punk and Breakker, it sets up an intriguing scenario for when The Visionary returns. Rollins will naturally want to exact revenge on Breakker and Bronson Reed first and foremost. However, if Punk is still champion, then, as Rollins notes, getting the title he never lost back from The Second City Saint will be his first port of call.

If Breakker is champion, that might force an uneasy alliance between Rollins and Punk, who famously hate one another. It all depends on just how much longer Rollins is going to be away. While he is keeping himself relevant, it's believed that the shoulder injury he's recovering from will keep him out of the ring until at least WrestleMania.

This article first appeared on The Sportster and was syndicated with permission.

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