Backstage Update on Sheamus’ WWE Contract Status & Potential Interest in AEW

As noted before, Sheamus is currently set to depart from WWE once his contract expires. Sheamus’ upcoming departure was later revealed to be due to him turning down WWE’s offer for a restructured contract extension deal.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that Sheamus is currently done with WWE but he is still under contract as of the time of their report.

It was reported that those spoken to within AEW stated that they had no idea that Sheamus would be departing WWE and at least one AEW talent is expected to make a push to work with him in the company and/or CMLL. Sheamus is also currently expected to get interest from outside promotions as well.

In regards to Sheamus’ WWE contact situation, Fightful’s Joel Pearl reported in a recent episode of the In The Weeds podcast that his sources stated that Sheamus’ contract was set to expire within months of him “swiftly rejecting” WWE’s contract extension offer.

Jeremy Lambert responded reporting that Sheamus had originally signed a five-year extension in 2024 meaning that his deal was not meant to expire until 2029. Lambert reported that it is currently not known what changed in Sheamus’ contract status to cause it to expire sooner than expected.

Bryan Alvarez reported in a recent episode of the Wrestling Observer Live that his sources stated that the general reaction to Sheamus potentially joining AEW is one of not being “really thrilled.” Alvarez reported that this feeling is less due to any issues involving Sheamus since he is well liked within AEW but more of the feeling of there are already too many people on the roster that can’t even get television time and are not fond of the idea of hiring a 48 year old to further this problem.

Alvarez reported that those spoken brought up potential ideas of Sheamus joining the Death Riders or him reuniting with Claudio Castagnoli if he were to sign with AEW.

Alvarez also reported that those spoken to also are not trilled over more spots being filled by former WWE people such as Sheamus and New Day that would come at the cost of those who have been in AEW for a long time or for people who should be on the way up as stars for the company that could end up being iced out instead.