The Vision Behind the Pitch
Former WWE Superstar Elias, now going by the name Elijah, recently recounted an interesting tale about his creative concepts while he was with WWE. During an honest discussion with Alistair McGeorge from Metro, Elijah disclosed that he had proposed a character idea that closely resembled the “Monday Night Messiah” persona which later became associated with Seth Rollins on WWE Raw.
“I was always coming up with different characters, ways to evolve Elias into the next thing,” Elijah explained. “There was a character that I really thought could have been incredible for myself, it was the Monday Night Messiah. If you realize, Seth Rollins and AOP ended up – for lack of better terms, they just gave it to those guys. I had a real vision of me being the Pied Piper of Monday Night Raw and controlling people, with kind of a cult-like leader. The biblical themes and things like that, I always love that Messiah stuff.”
The Creative Process and Its Challenges
Elijah’s pitch highlighted his deep understanding of character development and storytelling within the wrestling industry. His concept involved a charismatic leader with a strong, almost mystical influence over his followers, a character that could captivate audiences and add depth to the WWE narrative. However, the execution of such ideas often involves multiple layers of decision-making and alignment with the company’s broader strategic goals.
“There’s guys that just are getting paid more or getting put more in a spotlight, and they might want to put the resources into those guys,” Elijah noted. “It’s no discredit to Seth, the guy’s absolutely incredible. But this is how the system works, you know what I mean? That’s the risk you take with giving these ideas.”
The Road After WWE
In September of last year, Elijah was let go by WWE and has since started competing in the independent wrestling circuit. This change has enabled him to freely delve into his creative concepts and demonstrate his skills as a performer in various ways. Leaving WWE has not dampened his enthusiasm for the industry or his drive to be creative.
Elijah says that he pitched a role similar to the “Monday Night Messiah” gimmick that Seth Rollins ended up with in WWE. #WWE #Elijah #SethRollins https://t.co/x91eMMrSXG
— 411 Wrestling (@411wrestling) June 3, 2024
The persona known as the “Monday Night Messiah”
Seth Rollins introduced his “Monday Night Messiah” persona towards the end of 2019 and rapidly rose to prominence as a key figure on WWE Raw. Rollins, with his followers like AOP and eventually Murphy, depicted a messianic character convinced of his mission to guide WWE into a fresh chapter. The figure heavily utilized religious symbolism and leadership themes resembling a cult, which appealed to both fans and critics.
Elijah’s vision for a similar character underscores the often collaborative and competitive nature of creative development in WWE. Ideas are pitched, modified, and sometimes reassigned based on various factors, including the company’s evolving storylines and the performers’ alignments with those narratives.
Reflecting on WWE’s Creative Landscape
Elijah’s experience provides insight into the complex workings of WWE’s creative process. The company is always striving to come up with new ideas to engage its audience, however, not all of these ideas end up being implemented in their original state. Artists such as Elijah play a role in the creative ecosystem by constantly coming up with ideas that could impact future narratives, even if credit is not given to them directly.
Progressing further
Elijah’s path after leaving WWE has been characterized by a strong drive to keep growing and improving as an entertainer. His time in WWE has given him valuable knowledge about building characters and telling stories, skills that he now uses in the independent circuit. This stage of his professional life gives him the opportunity to explore new ideas and improve his skills even more.
Elijah’s success beyond WWE showcases the resilience and creativity of professional wrestlers. The field is constantly evolving, requiring artists to adjust and come up with new ideas in order to remain significant and connect with their viewers. Elijah’s insight into his “Monday Night Messiah” idea offers an intriguing look at the inner workings of the professional wrestling industry, where creativity and business come together to influence the entertainment we watch.
The Broader Impact
Elijah’s tale is not just about a missed opportunity but also about the constant ebb and flow of ideas within WWE. It highlights how performers must continually adapt and pitch new concepts, knowing that not every idea will be greenlit. This process is essential for the evolution of characters and storylines that keep fans invested.
Furthermore, Elijah being transparent about his experience is part of a larger pattern in wrestling, with ex-WWE stars sharing their personal stories to give fans insight into the inner workings of the industry. These revelations help clarify the creative process and highlight the personal aspect of entertainers who strive hard to amuse millions.
Final Thoughts
Elijah’s pitch for a “Monday Night Messiah”-like role demonstrates his creative ambition and deep understanding of what makes compelling wrestling characters. While his idea was ultimately realized by Seth Rollins, Elijah’s journey continues to inspire and entertain. His story is a reminder of the countless untold ideas that contribute to the rich tapestry of professional wrestling, shaping the narratives and characters that fans love.
