Seth Rollins Reveals He Misses AEW Star Claudio Castagnoli in CBR Interview

Breaking: Seth Rollins Confesses He Misses Claudio Castagnoli After Years Apart

In a candid talk, WWE star Seth Rollins revealed that he misses Claudio Castagnoli, the former Cesaro who stepped away from WWE in 2022 and re-emerged in the wrestling world under his real name. Rollins described Castagnoli as more than a rival, noting their friendship endured even as careers sent them down different paths.

rollins highlighted the long-standing bond they share, explaining that the two still text regularly despite not having seen each other in quite some time. He framed Castagnoli as a fellow coffee enthusiast, a lighthearted detail that underscores their off-screen camaraderie beyond their on-screen feuds.

“I miss Claudio,” Rollins saeid, acknowledging the gap sence their last live encounter. He added that while family matters keep him grounded, the absence of Claudio’s presence is felt. The two former rivals have maintained contact through frequent messages,even as their schedules pull them in different directions.

their relationship stretches beyond WWE, with past clashes across Ring of Honor and various independent circuits. The exchange of coffee-themed texts with Castagnoli—and even with John Cena—has become a shared ritual they reference when discussing their ongoing connection.

key facts At A Glance

Aspect	Details
Who	Seth Rollins and claudio Castagnoli (Cesaro)
recent Remark	Rollins stated he misses castagnoli and their long-standing friendship
Castagnoli’s Status	Former WWE star; left in 2022; noted as a current champion in other promotions in the discussion
Past Encounters	Fights and feuds in WWE, ROH, and several indie promotions
Shared Interest	Coffee, referenced as a common thread in their conversations

Evergreen Insights

This moment highlights how professional relationships in wrestling can endure beyond promotions and rosters. Rivalries that evolve into friendships offer fans a deeper, more human perspective on athletes who routinely blend competition with camaraderie. The coffee-text tradition underscores how simple rituals can sustain connections across miles, calendars, and new chapters in a performer’s career.

For fans, this serves as a reminder that cross-promotion ties often outlast headline programs. As casts shift between WWE,AEW,ROH,and international circuits,the best stories frequently emerge from longtime alliances that morph into ongoing mentorships or mutual respect—elements that enrich the spectacle for years to come.

What To Watch Next

Follow updates on Castagnoli’s current engagements and Rollins’ evolving role in major programs.Expect potential callbacks to their shared history, whether in interviews, social media exchanges, or rare in-ring reunions that resonate with longtime fans.

Reader questions: What impact do you think Rollins’ admiration for Castagnoli could have on future storylines? Should promotions actively revive classic rivalries to boost engagement?

Share your take in the comments and tell us which past rivalries you’d like to see revisited on screen.

Early WWE Days (2012‑2014) – Both Rollins and Castagnoli (then “cesaro”) competed on WWE’s main roster, crossing paths in multiple multi‑person matches and backstage events.

Seth Rollins Opens Up About Missing AEW star Claudio Castagnoli – highlights from the CBR Interview

Date: 2026‑01‑18 08:12:01

author: Luis Mendoza

Source: Comic Book Resources (CBR) interview

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1. The History Behind the Friendship

• Early WWE Days (2012‑2014) – Both Rollins and Castagnoli (then “Cesaro”) competed on WWE’s main roster, crossing paths in multiple multi‑person matches and backstage events.
• the Shield Connection – Rollins often praised his former Shield mates, noting how the group’s chemistry extended beyond the ring to include respect for fellow powerhouses like Castagnoli.
• Tag Team Dreams – In a 2015 backstage interview, Rollins revealed he once considered a tag partnership with Castagnoli, envisioning a “muscle‑and‑speed” dynamic that could rival any established team.

2. Key Quotes from the CBR Interview

Quote	Context
“I still think about the nights we trained together—those sessions were pure gold.”	Reflecting on their shared practice sessions at the WWE Performance Center.
“Claudio brings a rare mix of technical prowess and raw power; you don’t find that combo frequently enough.”	discussing Castagnoli’s in‑ring style and why it stands out.
“Seeing him dominate in AEW makes me wish we could team up again, even if it’s just for one dream match.”	Expressing the desire for a cross‑promotion dream bout.
“Our friendship survived the WWE‑AEW split—real respect doesn’t care about brand loyalty.”	Emphasizing the personal bond over corporate competition.

3. Why Rollins Misses Castagnoli

1. In‑Ring Chemistry

• Both wrestlers possess a high‑impact, hard‑hitting style that complements each other’s moveset.
• Their shared background in amateur wrestling creates a unique “technical‑strength” blend.

2. Backstage Camaraderie

• Rollins highlighted Castagnoli’s humor and humility, noting how “the locker room felt lighter when Cesaro was around.”
• The two often collaborated on charity events, strengthening their off‑screen connection.

3. Unrealized Creative Opportunities

• fans have long speculated about a Rollins‑Castagnoli Dream tag match against top-tier teams such as The Usos,The Jericho Appreciation Society,or the Young Bucks.
• Rollins believes their combined star power could drive PPV buys and increase cross‑promotion viewership.

4. Fan Reaction & social Media Buzz

• Twitter Trending: #rollinsmissesclaudio trended at #12 worldwide within two hours of the interview release.
• Reddit Discussion: r/SquaredCircle reported a 42% upvote rate on the thread “Rollins & Castagnoli: The Match Fans Deserve.”
• YouTube Highlights: The clip of Rollins’ comment amassed 3.2 M views in the first 24 hours, generating over 150 K comments.

5. Potential Paths Forward

A. Cross‑Promotion Dream Match

Scenario	Feasibility	Potential Outcomes
Rollins vs. Castagnoli (Singles)	High – Both are marquee names.	Boosted ratings for both WWE Network and AEW + media coverage in mainstream outlets.
Rollins & a WWE partner vs. Castagnoli & an AEW partner (Tag)	Moderate – Requires negotiation.	Creates a “brand vs. brand” narrative, appealing to a broader audience.
Special Appearance at an AEW Pay‑Per‑View	Low – WWE contracts restrict outside appearances.	If approved, could become a historic moment for wrestling collaboration.

B. Virtual collaboration

• joint Podcast Episode – Both stars could appear on a wrestling podcast (e.g., “Talk Is Jericho”) to discuss their history, satisfying fan demand without contractual hurdles.
• Gaming Crossover – Featuring Rollins and Castagnoli together in upcoming wrestling video games (e.g., “WWE 2K24” DLC) could capitalize on their chemistry.

6. Practical takeaways for Wrestling Fans

• Stay Updated: Follow both athletes on official social platforms for any collaboration hints.
• Engage With Content: Like,retweet,and comment on interview clips to signal fan interest to promoters.
• Participate in Polls: Many wrestling forums run fan‑vote polls that can influence future match bookings.

7. SEO‑Friendly Highlights (For Internal Reference)

• Primary keywords: Seth Rollins interview, Claudio Castagnoli AEW, CBR interview, Rollins misses Cesaro, WWE‑AEW rivalry.
• Long‑tail phrases: “Seth Rollins says he misses Claudio Castagnoli,” “dream tag team match Rollins Castagnoli,” “CBR wrestling interview January 2026.”
• Related search terms: “Rollins and Castagnoli friendship,” “AEW star Claudio Castagnoli background,” “Seth Rollins fan reaction 2026.”

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All statements are based on the CBR interview published on January 18, 2026, and publicly available wrestling records.