Rollins calls Cena “The GOAT” and his mentor, and says he’s just honored to “be a little footnote” in the 16x WWE World Champion’s career.

Seth Rollins and John Cena have shared the ring a lot in their careers (150 times, by Cagematch’s number), including a 2014-2015 feud that featured a fatal triple threat with Brock Lesnar, a memorable broken nose, and a winner takes all match for the WWE and United States titles decided by the comedian.

There seems to be a lot of respect (and loyalty…not sure about hustle) that has been built up between the two men over their years together in WWE. in the pre-Royal Rumble WWE 2K23 press event where he also expressed disrespect for another former world champion, Rollins was effusive in his praise of Cena.

Seth said Pro Wrestling IllustratedScott Fishman:

“John the goat. John is the best. John is incredible. And you know, I’m a footnote, really, in his career. John has influenced so many talents over the years. He was the guy of a generation. For me, though, on the side Other than that, John has influenced what I do so deeply. I took a lot of inspiration from John. I learned a lot being in the ring with John. I learned a lot watching John backstage.

And John continues to be my mentor, even now that he’s not around so often. It’s great to see him portrayed in this way. [on the cover of WWE 2K23], the legend that he is. I’m really excited to see what his story mode looks like throughout the game. I’m only a small part of it. So I am happy and honored to be even just a small footnote in John Cena’s story.”

It doesn’t look like Cena will be around much on the road to WrestleMania, so he may be banking on Rollins’ insight into his reported opponent. Seth is very familiar with the Austin theory, so he must have a lot to tell his mentor about the current US Champion.