Seth Rollins dismisses Roman Reigns' title run, reviving a long conversation about just how relevant "The Isle of Relevancy" is. While there may be an element of kayfabe in Rollins' comments, that doesn't make them invalid. Let's review what the current World Heavyweight Champion told Jimmy Traina of the SI Media podcast:

"I mean, to be honest with you as of late, because he's been so absent, I don't even really think it's been a topic of conversation amongst fans, let alone the locker room. I think it's one of those things where it's an opportunity, but it's such a glass ceiling opportunity. Like, it feels like almost, it's one of those things where it may never happen, like what's the point in wasting your time over there because the glass ceiling is so obvious and so thick, which is nice on my end with the World Heavyweight Championship."

As Wrestling News' Angel Aramboles pointed out, "The Tribal Chief" defended the Undisputed Championship 11 times in 2023. Factor in Reigns' infrequent appearances on PLEs (not to mention the ones where he competed in tag matches rather than defending his title) and the difference between Rollins' title defenses (which occur regularly on TV, PLEs, and at live events) are astonishing.

The Absentee Champion

Roman's reign has been a problem ever since he unified his Universal Championship with Brock Lesnar's WWE Championship at WrestleMania 38. While this made for a huge 'Mania main event, it turned into a nightmare for fans who enjoy watch world title defenses. Roman's cushy contract meant that RAW fans no longer had a champion on their brand and even SmackDown fans had to endure infrequent title defenses by Roman. Reigns' stranglehold on the title wasn't so much seen in the ring as it was seen in the comfort of his home (or wherever he was during his constant absences from WWE TV).

As the problem grew, there were rumors the WWE had plans to solve it including stripping Reigns of one of the titles, having Roman defend one title at each night of WrestleMania, or creating a new championship. Anyone familiar with the WWE's fixation on protecting Roman knew that the only option was in creating a new championship.

While it took over a year, the WWE's decision to create a World Championship on RAW has paid off. Seth Rollins has been a fighting champion. Unfortunately, it's obvious that his title defenses only expose Roman's reign further as a sham. Rollins commented on how his title reign is more important than Reigns':

"I feel like there's much more of a real conversation to be had about who's the guy that's going to be able to dethrone me, if that's ever the case, you know, because I'm available, I'm around, I'm visible, and I put myself out there. I take risks that Roman isn't really taking at the moment."

How Does the WWE Locker Room Regard Roman's Run?

"The Visionary" also commented on how Reigns' title reign is looked at by the WWE locker room. Seth noted some fans might wonder who will dethrone Roman but as for WWE Superstars:

...from the locker room perspective, I think it's just one of those things where like Roman is off on his own his own world doing his own thing. If you take a little rowboat out to the Island of Relevancy at some point, you know, you check the weather out, and leave. For us, it's really not as big of a thing. It doesn't seem like it's prominent anyway."

H/T Wrestling News for quotes from SI Media Podcast

With talk that the WWE wants to book CM Punk vs Roman Reigns, some fans think Reigns' run as Undisputed Champion could continue past WrestleMania 40. What do you think of Seth's comments? Has Roman's title reign become insignificant?