Seth Rollins recently revealed one of WWE’s biggest “what if” scenarios regarding why fans never witnessed The Shield’s triple threat match at WrestleMania. During an appearance on the Sal Licata Show on January 29, 2026, Rollins looked back on the original plan to disband The Shield in a triple threat match at WrestleMania 30—and how the cancellation of that idea is among his biggest regrets.
When asked about the possibility, Rollins explained, “Yes, that was definitely on my mind. Here’s some insider info: The Shield’s first split was supposed to happen at WrestleMania 30. Roman Reigns was set to face Dean Ambrose, with me acting as a special guest referee—I wasn’t even going to compete in the match.”
Rollins shared that he actually felt relieved when this initial plan was scrapped, allowing The Shield to remain together for several more months and deliver memorable moments, including a highly praised rivalry against Evolution. “Luckily, that idea was dropped. We ended up having a strong run the following year—well, not a full year, just a few more months. The six-man tag clash with Evolution was really solid,” he said.
Although WWE eventually executed a triple threat match involving The Shield, it took place not at WrestleMania but at Battleground in 2016—a move that frustrated Rollins, Reigns, and Ambrose. According to Rollins, the decision wasn’t theirs to make. “If I recall correctly, we did a random triple threat at Battleground, which none of us—Roman, Dean, or I—wanted because we felt that match deserved to be the main event at WrestleMania. But we were overruled by our then-controller, who is no longer with the company. To this day, not getting to tell that story properly on WWE’s biggest show remains one of my biggest regrets. So, that’s the story. There was plenty of discussion around when and why it happened, or when it should’ve happened. For me, I’m sorry we never did it the right way.”
These insights came just days after Rollins opened up to GQ about the strained relationships that make a full Shield reunion unlikely. “There’s no great love lost between me and Roman Reigns. Dean Ambrose—Jon Moxley—is not with WWE right now, and I don’t know if he will ever return. Honestly, I think it’s very unlikely,” Rollins admitted.
While the dream triple threat showdown may never materialize, Rollins’ candid revelation highlights how close the wrestling world came to witnessing one of the biggest triple threats on the grandest stage.
Do you think The Shield’s triple threat match belonged at WrestleMania, or was Battleground an acceptable substitute? Share your thoughts below.
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Fan Take: This news is huge for WWE fans because it reveals just how different wrestling history could have been if this match happened at WrestleMania, WWE’s biggest event of the year. Understanding these behind-the-scenes decisions gives fans perspective on the storytelling and business factors that shape the sport’s biggest moments.
