Major update on 45-year-old WWE SmackDown superstar potentially going through a ‘contract freeze’ owing to his injury period

The Brawling Brutes leader's current injury could halt his potential pursuit of leaving WWE.

Major update on 45-year-old WWE SmackDown superstar potentially going through a ‘contract freeze’ owing to his injury period

WWE SmackDown star facing contract freeze [via- What Culture Wrestling on X]

After bidding an emotional farewell to Edge in late August, Sheamus too fazed into the shadows. He completely went missing from SmackDown, which aroused a sense of conundrum among the WWE Universe. Later reports were that The Celtic Warrior was on the sidelines after he picked up an unfortunate shoulder injury. It’s been almost three months since the Irishman’s last appearance in WWE.

Now, it has come to light that the said period could play a pivotal role in Sheamus’ WWE contract expiration. His deal is believed to come to an end in the first quarter of 2024. The question is, will WWE add some injury time to it? Well, as per Sean Ross Sapp’s Q&A session for Fightful, it’s very likely. And the company would want someone like Sheamus to stay for a longer period.

A few weeks ago, he was advertised to return on tonight’s edition of Friday Night SmackDown. However, as of the latest listing, Sheamus’ name is not on there. But whenever he comes back, he might have to ease things down a bit between his teammates, Butch and Ridge Holland, who almost got physical last week. If WWE does follow up on the same, the fans could witness some more fissures in The Brawling Brutes.

Before Sheamus’ injury, the trio was wreaking havoc on Friday nights. However, the past few weeks haven’t been the best of all for them. For instance, considering WWE eventually splits up Butch and Holland, they may revert Butch to Pete Dunne, his NXT incarnation. And for what it’s worth, he may have his apparent preacher, Sheamus, as his first major opponent.

What is Sheamus’ frustration with WWE?

Sheamus is one of the veterans in the pro wrestling industry. What makes one wonder that he would’ve been eagerly waiting to leave WWE were the comments he made in October. While speaking to the Daily Star, the Celtic Warrior vehemently expressed his resentment over his creative direction in the company.

Sheamus
WWE Superstar Sheamus [via- Fightful Wrestling on X]
What I was upset about and what really bothered me was the creative after that. I came out of that with so much organic momentum, and it was just wasted. It didn’t go anywhere.
Sheamus via Daily Star

Sheamus’ frustration was due to WWE not capitalizing on the momentum he had following his Clash at the Castle clinic against Gunther. The barn-burner of a clash received widespread acclaim from wrestling fans around the globe. However, the company failed to make anything good out of it.

Sheamus even cited the Intercontinental Triple Threat match from WrestleMania 39 that had the same dead ending for him. The Celtic Warrior grew in frustration as neither of the two matches had any avenue coming out of them. He felt like the creative bottled up big time and squandered an opportunity to strap the rocket on his back.

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