With the business of finishing the match still at hand, Rollins was eager to wrap things up and get right to the process of assessing the damage, knowing all that is on the line for someone in his position at this time of the year, especially. “Obviously, [I took] a second, tried to take stock,” he continued. “We’re on live TV so you gotta keep going, figure out a way to finish the match and then the race is on to get to the MRI and try to figure out exactly what the severity of the injury [is] and what the timetable was gonna be like for a hopeful return.”

In this case, Rollins has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 MCL tear and partially torn meniscus in his left knee — an injury that, with surgery, as Rollins told the “Raw” crowd in New Orleans before being interrupted by GUNTHER, would mean missing three to four months, ruling out WrestleMania. But with the course of action being rehab in the name of an accelerated return, Rollins now directs his gaze to WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia, and is taking a positive approach to being on the shelf for the time being.

“[Royal Rumble] this weekend itself is especially important to me because I’m a prize,” Rollins said. “Myself and [Undisputed WWE Universal Champion] Roman Reigns, we’re a prize for the first time ever. I’ve been one of the guys trying to get to that spot but I’ve never been on the other side of it so it feels very cool, in a way, to be on the sidelines.”