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The Celtic Warrior is in dire need of some solid bookingIf there was a case study of how not to book a Money in the Bank winner, take a look at what WWE has done with Sheamus since he won the briefcase earlier this year.Aside from Damien Sandow, has there ever been a more unexciting winner of a pay-per-view that more often than not leads to a WWE title reign?Sheamus is in a no-win situation, trapped in a purgatory the company has brought on itself with bad planning, bad matches and really nowhere to put the Great White.The Irishman went from being a solid brawling heel to a cartoonish face to a misdirected Ronald McDonald wannabe character that has a place in Vince McMahon’s 1980s WWF.There really isn’t a place for him in today’s promotion. Could he make an impact at Hell in a Cell? Only if the finish to the Seth Rollins-Kane cage match ends in a victory for the Big Red Machine.Yes, Kane becomes the transitional champion for all of five minutes. Fitting as WWE hasn’t the slightest idea how it is has hurt the veteran’s street cred with this latest program with Rollins. A younger, more violent Kane would have broken the smarmy Rollins in half or maybe three pieces.I never figured him for a company “yes” man.Ok, back on point. So WWE has a problem with how to book its “next” champion because of timing, lack of fan support and Seth Rollins is the best thing the company has to offer today. So anything short of something dramatic on Sunday means nothing will happen with a title change for the three-time world champion.Here are three ways to promote Sheamus once WWE moves on from Hell in a Cell on Sunday night, regardless if he were to shock the world and claim the company title.
#1 A face turn
What? Didn’t that already happen? Oh, I’m sorry. The creative team took a beast who made his first appearance in a WWE ring back in 2009 and beat the hell out of everyone in his sights.
WWE countered with the formation of the Nexus, which changed the landscape a bit, giving Sheamus the green light to turn face and team with John Cena, amongst others to battle the heel faction.
The fact is Sheamus is a great face character, but he is more dominant as a heel. There are options with him – but his heel look now is not the best for him and certainly not a favorite of the fans in the stands.
I could see Sheamus make the leap again back to the good side, claiming he was wrong, the fans supported him, ‘yadda, yadda, yadda’. If there is not a change of heart by the WWE Universe, he could always jump back to the other side, claiming it was all a rouse.
In light of the fact John Cena is leaving, this might be a real benefit, but there are rumors he will challenge Cena for the United States Title upon Cena’s return in December, at Madison Square Garden.
#2 TAG team wrestling
What do you do when you have no place in singles competition, but you are still a viable opponent in the ring? You make the jump to tag team wrestling, that’s what you do.
Cesaro is the best test case for this theory as there was no place for the Swiss superstar in a WWE title situation.
Cesaro and Tyson Kidd captured WWE Tag Team gold and were a solid, and very good combination – a heel team – until Kid was injured and has not returned to action. This, of course, opened the door for Cesaro to show the world just how good he is in the ring in singles competition.
The same could happen for Sheamus. I hear there are rumors that Wade Barrett would love to join the tag team division, which could open the door for the two UK brawlers to join forces – which is something I have been pushing for some time now. It would also leave the door partially open for Sheamus to return to the singles scene in the future.
The WWE tag team situation is pretty solid right now, but there are only three or four teams that get the rub. Old WWF/WWE was about many tag teams and plenty of competition. This idea adds a little more intrigue – especially in a match of heavyweights with the Dudleys.
#3 Have him cash in, start the Roman Reigns revolution
Someone is going to have to do the honors, why not Sheamus? I don’t see him as a long-term solution as a WWE champion.
The fans will not get behind the move. They want a more exciting champion. The options aren’t great – as Triple H and Vince McMahon won’t throw their support behind anyone but two or three options.
We all know at some point Roman Reigns is going to be the company champion. Whether he is a face or heel is to be determined at a later date. Sheamus can get this ball rolling.
The plan, as has been rumored is for Reigns to hold the title, to feud with John Cena, or vice versa. In the process, Cena claims his 16th world title reign – matching Ric Flair. All very confusing, but you get the picture. History is made with Cena, Reigns gets put over by the company’s greatest asset.
Sheamus could be the catalyst that sparks a new revolution in WWE (I know we have heard the world before). Who knew from a poorly planned win at MITB to a title briefcase that should have been Reigns’ in the first place, everything would come full circle?
This might be WWE’s best option in the end.
