While waiting for the WWE live event on Saturday night in Chicago, IL at the United Center to start, former WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins took some time to reflect and thank those who have helped him along the way in his pro wrestling career.
The WWE star took to his official Twitter account where he sent out a series of posts about his run on the Chicago indie scene, working with talents such as Kevin Owens, Kassius Ohno, Samoa Joe, and Hideo Itami and competing for promotions like Ring of Honor and All American Wrestling.
“Driving around this city before the United Center gig tonight and I can’t help but be flooded with Chicago independent wrestling memories. Can’t tell you how thankful I am to have cut my teeth in this here at @AAWPro and #IWAMS. Sorry in advance for all the incoming tweets.”
Driving around this city before the United Center gig tonight and I can’t help but be flooded with Chicago independent wrestling memories. Can’t tell you how thankful I am to have cut my teeth in this here at @AAWPro and #IWAMS. Sorry in advance for all the incoming tweets…
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) December 29, 2018
I remember going to one of my first independent shows here when I was 16. It was #PCW Dream Night in like 2002 or 2003. I knew then pro wrestling was for me.
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) December 29, 2018
I remember @JimmyJacobsX throwing the #IWAMS title in the garbage at @AAWPro and feeling the tide start to turn towards Berwyn.
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) December 29, 2018
I remember my first (and last) no rope barbed wire match with my partner @MBrave13. The most scared I’ve ever been going into a match and the most relieved I’ve ever been after the 1, 2, 3.
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) December 29, 2018
I remember all the insane #TPI tournaments held in the Chicagoland area. 2004 sticks out to me as maybe one of the best weekends of wrestling I ever had as a fan. Look for the pink Shadows Fall trucker hat in the back corner of the stands.
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) December 29, 2018
I remember going to the @ringofhonor Frontier Fieldhouse shows as a fan….and then making my ROH debut there in Age of the Fall. What a moment. I got to have so many fun matches in that arena with @FightOwensFight @KassiusOhno @SamoaJoe @HideoItami just to name a few.
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) December 29, 2018
I remember so much so fondly of this city…and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention @CMPunk and @ColtCabana. Two guys who changed the game for Chicago wrestling. They made Chicago feel special. Made me feel like this place could lead to the rest of the world…
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) December 29, 2018
…I’m eternally grateful for the inspiration and motivation Punk and Cabana provided me at a very formative age. Helped shape my work ethic in wrestling for years to come.
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) December 29, 2018
With all that said…can’t wait to burn it down tonight at #thehousethatjordanbuilt! Hope you all enjoyed my little trip down memory lane!
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) December 29, 2018
Rollins also thanked CM Punk and Colt Cabana for what they did to help him and pro wrestling in Chicago.
He wrote, “I remember so much so fondly of this city…and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention @CMPunk and @ColtCabana. Two guys who changed the game for Chicago wrestling. They made Chicago feel special. Made me feel like this place could lead to the rest of the world… …I’m eternally grateful for the inspiration and motivation Punk and Cabana provided me at a very formative age. Helped shape my work ethic in wrestling for years to come.”