Former WWE Champion Had High-Level Backstage Backing Before Exit — Report
Former WWE Champion Had High-Level Backstage Backing Before Exit — Report
bibonsinhaFri, July 10, 2026 at 1:56 AM UTC
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Photo Credit: WWE
Sheamus‘ reported WWE exit has become one of the most talked-about stories in pro wrestling in the past few days. A new report now suggests that he had some backstage backing, and at least one important person behind the scenes tried hard to convince the company to keep him.
After reports claimed that the Celtic Warrior turned down a new contract offer, new details have revealed that not everyone in WWE wanted him to leave. The report has also sparked more talk about where the veteran could end up next.
High-level WWE official reportedly fought to keep Sheamus
According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, a “high-level” WWE office official reportedly fought to keep Sheamus in the company and pushed TKO to retain him.
This comes after reports stated that the former WWE Champion decided to leave WWE by rejecting a reworked contract offer, bringing an end to his 19-year run with the company.
The report also said that people close to Sheamus believe he would be open to joining AEW if the right opportunity came along.
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Potentially, he could reunite with his former tag team partner Claudio Castagnoli, who was known as Cesaro in WWE. Claudio left WWE in 2022 and has since become one of AEW’s top stars. However, not everyone is keen to welcome Sheamus to AEW.
Nothing has been confirmed yet, but AEW is already being seen as a possible next destination for Sheamus.
More details have also come out about the contract talks. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, TKO offered Sheamus a new deal that included a lower salary. Instead of accepting the pay cut, Sheamus reportedly decided to walk away.
Meltzer admitted the situation was very similar to what reportedly happened with Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods earlier this year.
Read More: Eric Bischoff Says Sheamus’ WWE Exit Is Part of ‘The Circle of Freaking Life’
The post Former WWE Champion Had High-Level Backstage Backing Before Exit — Report appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
