A high-level member of the WWE office went to TKO on Sheamus’s behalf, made the case for retaining him, and argued his value to the company extends well beyond his in-ring contributions, according to WrestleVotes on Fightful Select.
Despite the internal advocacy, the effort did not change the outcome. Fightful Select first reported earlier this week that Sheamus is departing WWE after rejecting a restructured contract extension that sources described as a significant pay reduction from his previous deal.
A person close to Sheamus told WrestleVotes that he would welcome the prospect of competing in AEW, even on a short-term basis, if the right situation presented itself. Sheamus and Claudio Castagnoli have a well-documented close friendship, and Castagnoli is expected to be among those advocating for his arrival in AEW.
One AEW source noted previously that CMLL and other opportunities outside of AEW also exist that would allow the two to continue working together.
Sheamus, 47, spent nearly two decades in WWE across two separate runs. He is a six-time world champion, including five reigns as WWE or World Heavyweight Champion and one as ECW Champion, along with multiple Intercontinental, United States, and Tag Team Championship reigns.
