Seth Rollins’ staged knee injury ahead of SummerSlam, nicknamed the “Ruse of the Century,” may have fooled fans, but it also stirred up friction in WWE. The plan ended with Rollins cashing in his Money in the Bank contract on CM Punk to win the World Heavyweight Championship, yet some within the company weren’t pleased with how it unfolded.
Mike Johnson of PWInsider reported that the ruse left certain staff and performers feeling unhappy.
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“I want to caution everybody, obviously WWE can lie to anybody they want. They certainly lie to a lot of people. It would appear during the Seth Rollins situation, much of which has left a very unhealthy flavour in the mouths of a lot of people who work behind the scenes for the company, as well as talents who are in-ring performers.”
The tension came from the lengths Rollins went to make the injury look real. He later admitted the ruse even caused problems at home, as his wife Becky Lynch was frustrated about lying to friends and family about his health.
While the move worked as a storyline, helping Rollins win the championship, the approach left a negative impression on some in the locker room and behind the scenes.
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