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Scrapped Plans For Sheamus In WWE Revealed

By John Canton • Published Jul 20, 2026 13:03 EDT
Sheamus WWE
Sheamus - Image via WWE.com

Sheamus could have had a very different beginning in WWE, but a former superstar had a different idea.

During his WWE career from 2009 until his final match in late 2025, Sheamus solidified himself as one of the greatest WWE superstars of all time, and he will obviously be a Hall of Famer one day.

The 48-year-old Irishman will be a free agent around October 1st after declining to take a pay cut that was offered to him, which has led to his release after 17 years on the main roster.

As for what’s next for Sheamus in pro wrestling, that’s not known yet, but the man whose real name is Stephen Farrelly plans to keep wrestling in the years ahead.

Sheamus departing WWE has surprised many people in the business, in a way that’s similar to Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods getting released post-WrestleMania. Like the Celtic Warrior, WWE wanted The New Day to take a pay cut, they reportedly said no and that led to the mutual parting of ways.

Sheamus Nearly Had A Completely Different WWE Debut

In July 2008, The Brian Kendrick was given a new bodyguard named Ezekiel Jackson, who had a bodybuilder’s physique and was clearly much stronger than Kendrick. How this relates to Sheamus is that Kendrick spoke to Southys Wrestling Media in a new interview where he revealed he picked Jackson over Sheamus in that role.

“I was in a land of giants and I was a shrimp. I’m the one who picked them. It was decided a heater would be best, and I went down to Tampa, and it was either him or Sheamus, and obviously, Sheamus went on to do wonderful things, but I liked the contrast in looks.

Me, a small white guy, him, a big black man. Me, this shrimp hiding behind his muscles. He looks slick and intimidating, and I’m real cocky, what I have nothing to be cocky about. So I think like just visually in every which way, it was a nice combination.” (H/T Fightful)

The pairing of Kendrick with Jackson lasted less than a year, while Sheamus had to wait to make his main roster debut.

Sheamus would go on to make his WWE main roster debut on June 30, 2009, on the ECW brand. Less than six months later, Sheamus beat John Cena for his first WWE Championship win at TLC 2009, so things certainly worked out for the fella.

After news of his WWE departure became public, Sheamus shared this message on social media.

Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Burger after Banger after Banger after Banger after 💔😔

slán mo WWE chairde (Goodbye, my WWE friends) 👋🏻

S. Farrelly

Other than that, the former 4-time WWE Champion hasn’t said much about his surprising departure from the company.