Seth Rollins has lashed out at AEW stars who reference their WWE counterparts on television, saying it’s “tacky” and “reeks of desperation.”
It has become something of a common occurrence for AEW stars to mentioned WWE and WWE Superstars on television. In recent months the likes of Chris Jericho, CM Punk, Eddie Kingston and MJF have all made comments about WWE in some way or another.
However, it’s unusual to hear WWE Superstars do the same. This is why when Seth Rollins mentioned “Mox,” (a reference to Jon Moxley) during his feud with Roman Reigns, fans sat up and took notice.
In a new interview with Jimmy Traina on the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast, Rollins revealed that no one had a problem with him mentioning Moxley, adding that no one backstage even said anything.
“Not one thing. Not one single thing. Nobody said anything to me about it. Everyone knows he’s a part of our history. You can’t do Seth and Roman without Dean or Mox, whatever you want to call him. You can’t do it. To ignore that part of our history and put him aside and focus on Roman and Seth, the focus was Roman and Seth, that was the story, but he’s a part of that so to ignore that and pretend he didn’t exist is silly. I referred to him by the name he prefers to go by and that’s where we’re at. I heard nothing in response to it backstage,”
On the subject of wrestlers mentioning stars in other promotions, Rollins explained that he felt the likes of CM Punk referencing WWE was very different. He said that the mentions were “very tacky” and “low-brow,” adding AEW aren’t on WWE’s level.
To me, it’s one of those things where, if it’s very useful, it’s fine. The references you spoke of [Rollins mentioning Moxley, CM Punk mentioning WWE] are two kind of different things. I didn’t use the reference to Mox to talk down to somebody. I wasn’t trying to diminish anyone’s accomplishments. It wasn’t like that. He’s part of our story, Roman wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for Mox and I.
The other side of that coin is the way that it can be used by those guys. They can do whatever they want. I find it very tacky and low-brow, personally. I think it looks and reeks of desperation. I don’t think it’s anything on our television show that we need to go there and talk down about those guys.
They are doing their thing, they’re doing it very well, we’re very happy for them. I am, at least personally, are they on our level? No. They have a long way to go to catch up to us. That’s fine and they know that. They do things differently. From my perspective, it’s a step down for us to use it as an insult. That’s my perspective. People may not share that opinion.”
Seth Rollins is currently preparing to meet a mystery opponent at WrestleMania 38, after being granted a match by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. It has widely been reported that Rollins’ opponent will be former AEW star and Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes.
H/t to Fightful for the transcription.