“I Was Shocked”: Seth Rollins Finally Explains the Real Reason WWE Banned His Iconic Finisher Overnight
There are moments in wrestling that leave fans scratching their heads, and the sudden disappearance of Seth Rollins’ devastating Curb Stomp is right at the top of the list. It was a finisher that looked brutal, sounded impactful, and perfectly suited “The Architect’s” ruthless in-ring style. Then, just like that, it was gone.
Fresh off the biggest win of his career, Rollins was left in a bizarre position: he was the World Heavyweight Champion, but he was no longer allowed to use the move that helped him capture the gold.
Rollins recently opened up about the confusing situation during a candid conversation on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast. He recalled the surreal moment when the ruling came down directly from the top.
“Vince banned it,” Rollins stated plainly. “Literally the day after I won my first world title at WrestleMania.” The timing couldn’t have been more shocking. After using the move successfully for years, including in the historic main event of WrestleMania 31, he was told they were “moving in a different direction.”
For years, fans have speculated about the reason. Was it too dangerous? Did it send the wrong message? Rollins revealed his own theory, suggesting that the decision might not have been about in-ring safety but about perception outside the squared circle.
He explained that the move likely caught the attention of Vince McMahon after it was featured in mainstream media coverage following his big win. “He watches The Today Show piece; he sees the Stomp… somebody in his inner circle said, ‘Hmm, Vince I don’t know about that move; I think it might be a little too dangerous; there might be a connotation to it.'” “
The implication was clear: the move’s name and imagery might have been seen as a liability in the public eye. For Rollins, the explanation felt thin. He was left bewildered, thinking, “Brother, we’ve been doing it for years. It’s pro-wrestling.”
With his signature finisher suddenly off the table, Rollins had a problem. He needed a new way to end matches, and fast. The solution came in the form of a move with serious WWE royalty attached to it: The Pedigree.
As Triple H’s on-screen protégé at the time, adopting The Game’s finishing maneuver made perfect narrative sense. But getting permission wasn’t as straightforward as just asking his mentor. In a moment of brilliant political maneuvering, Rollins decided to bypass Triple H entirely and go straight to the boss.
“So I was like, ‘Here’s what I’ll do—I’ll ask Vince about it, and then I know Vince will say yes, just to spite Triple H, and Triple H can’t say nothing about it.'” Rollins recalled with a laugh.
The strategy worked like a charm. McMahon approved the switch, and Rollins began a new chapter of his career using a move synonymous with his on-screen mentor. To this day, Rollins isn’t sure if the move was approved because it was a good fit or simply because it was a subtle way for McMahon to get one over on his son-in-law. “I don’t know,” Rollins admitted, “but it worked.”
The Curb Stomp has since made a triumphant return to Rollins’ arsenal in recent years, but the story behind its banishment remains a fascinating glimpse into the unpredictable nature of WWE and the outside pressures that can shape the product overnight.
