Seth Rollins’ Injury Derailed Long-Term Plans for Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns had a monster year mapped out with WWE—running through The Vision, beating Seth Rollins, and passing the torch to Bron Breakker at SummerSlam 2026. But now, with Seth out and WrestleMania 42 on the horizon, it’s a whole new game.

According to Self Made Pro, Reigns was originally supposed to go on a path of destruction through The Vision, which includes Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed.

"The plan was going to be, okay, now Roman is on Raw. He’s going to fight Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. He’s going to beat both Brons."

The goal? A slow burn. Roman wins the Royal Rumble, faces Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 42, takes the title, and then watches Bron Breakker flip on his mentor.

"Roman Reigns wins the Royal Rumble, faces Seth Rollins, beats Seth Rollins, wins the championship. Then Bron was going to turn on Seth after Mania—like, 'You’re out of The Vision. I run The Vision now.'"

There was even chatter about Breakker winning King of the Ring, with the big money match between him and Roman locked in for SummerSlam 2026—where Reigns would finally drop the title and elevate the rising star.

"Either way, him and Roman were going to fight at next year’s SummerSlam, and Roman was going to put Bron Breakker over. That was the layout. But then Seth got injured."

But now? Plans shifted in a big way. Seth Rollins is currently out with a torn rotator cuff, and that injury has pulled the plug on WWE’s entire long-term direction. Instead of Roman vs. Seth, it’s now expected to be Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42.

Dave Meltzer confirmed the change during Wrestling Observer Radio, stating:

“The idea is we’re supposed to know WrestleMania — which is Cody and Roman, and Punk and Bron Breakker are the championship matches.”

So now the title picture looks way different. Cody’s getting his trilogy moment with Roman, while CM Punk will take on Bron Breakker for the World Heavyweight Championship—a move likely fast-tracked due to Rollins’ injury.

It’s a major pivot, but WWE still seems committed to putting Bron Breakker in a prime spot. Whether he’ll end up replacing Seth long-term in the company’s bigger picture is still a mystery.

Would you have preferred the Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker takeover story to play out? Or are you more hyped for Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns III and CM Punk vs. Bron Breakker? Sound off in the comments and let us know where you stand.

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