Seth Rollins might not be active in wrestling matches right now, but he’s clearly staying involved with WWE, especially with tonight’s episode of Monday Night RAW, which has sparked plenty of speculation. On January 5, 2026, Rollins shared a photo from the “Good Morning Football” studio in New York City via his Instagram Story. Since RAW is taking place at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center and Rollins was seen in the same city without a sling, fans quickly noticed and started buzzing.
Rollins has been out of action following a torn rotator cuff injury he sustained in a bout against Cody Rhodes in Perth, Australia, which led him to relinquish the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. In December, during a TV appearance on “Mall Story,” he gave an update on his recovery, revealing, “I had rotator cuff surgery eight weeks ago. It’s been almost nine weeks as we speak. So it’s going to be another three months.”
Despite this expected recovery period, reports from Fightful Select indicate Rollins is closer to returning than fans assumed. He’s reportedly backstage at RAW, though it’s unclear if he will appear on camera or simply attend. Fightful Select noted, “Seth Rollins will be backstage at today’s WWE Raw show. This show is going to be a big show. We have not heard if he is scheduled to appear on the show or if he is just in attendance. He has been backstage at numerous WWE shows since his absence.”
Additionally, Rollins’ presence ties into WWE’s larger plans beyond in-ring action. The report adds, “Seth Rollins will also be an integral part of the WWE Unreal promotion, and his faked injury storyline will be a big part of next season.”
This all coincides with the night CM Punk defends his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breaker—the very title Rollins was set to challenge Punk for before his injury. The storyline complexity deepens with Bron Breaker’s ongoing feud with Bronson Reed, who had conflicts with Rollins and ejected him from The Vision last October, setting the stage for future drama.
Although it hasn’t been confirmed if Rollins will appear on camera tonight, his backstage presence and involvement in WWE’s Netflix series “WWE Unreal” ensure his impact will be felt. It’s hard to overlook Seth Rollins’ role in WWE’s evolving narrative.
What do you think? Will Seth Rollins make an appearance on RAW tonight, or is WWE preparing for something bigger down the line? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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Fan Take: This development is huge for WWE fans because it signals that Rollins’ injury storyline might not only be a cover but a clever way to build anticipation for his comeback. His involvement in WWE Unreal and backstage presence hints at important roles both inside and outside the ring, keeping the excitement alive for one of wrestling’s top stars.
