On WWE’s Bloody Wednesday, Seth Rollins tried to pay homage to those who lost their jobs, preach unity and defend the company all in one fell swoop.
It was Rollins’ defense of WWE that seemed divisive among fans and writers on Twitter as the star gave his thoughts on WWE releasing a score of wrestlers, producers and other personnel as a result of the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
“It is just a difficult day for all of us. My heart is broken for the guys and girls who I’m really close with that had it the worst today. And that goes for talent you guys love on-screen but also everyone backstage too, off-screen, who may not get the social media fanfare that some of the talent is getting,” the 33-year-old Rollins said during an Instagram Live video.
“The one thing I am seeing that is a little upsetting to me is all the negativity and the hostility toward WWE. This is a difficult day for everyone, for all of us, and I think if ever there was a moment for us to unify, for us to kind of band together and to try to do the best we can to keep this business alive the best we know how, this is that moment. And I think pointing fingers or saying, ‘You should’ve done this, you should’ve done that,’ is, I don’t know…it just doesn’t feel like the time or the place for it. I think this is a day for compassion and for empathy and for understanding, and to try to support each other, to pick each other up. And that’s for everybody, that’s not just for the guys and girls who were let go.
“For all of us who are fortunate enough at this moment to still be able to have a position where we can collect a paycheck and support those who love us and those around us, I think that we have to take it upon ourselves to work harder to make sure that there’s a place for all those who had it the worst today to come back to. I think as a planet we can rally around the idea that this is temporary and that those who have lost their positions and who are struggling to figure out what to do next, that they’ll be able to make it back from this, whether that’s with WWE or with another organization or in a completely new field. This isn’t the end. I think if we start fighting amongst ourselves it’s only gonna make things worse.”
Popular Twitter account Voices of Wrestling took issue with Rollins’ comments, writing, “Seth Rollins is an absolute dunce. Today is not the day, lay low dummy.”
Rollins responded directly: “Not the day for talking about supporting each other rather dragging each other? I get being frustrated, but you’re name calling for me trying to support my friends and the business we all love. I can’t even understand this hate right now. It’s truly painful.”
Brandon Stroud, the pro wrestling editor for Uproxx, responded to the clip of Rollins with, “always there to make things slightly worse.”
WWE, which has one confirmed coronavirus case, has been criticized for the cuts because it was reportedly still expected to turn a profit in 2020 despite running shows without fans at its training center in Orlando.
After taping several shows, including WrestleMania, WWE has returned to live weekly shows after being deemed an essential business in Florida. Vince McMahon’s second shot at the XFL failed as the league filed for bankruptcy.