What do you think of Sheamus so far?

Arrow in the Knee

As above

Reigning World Heavy Weight Champion

gimmick

Are you going to give us your opinion?

Mr.Saturn

I can see the wisdom of pushing him more towards the Cena-market, to take the pressure off both the company and Cena himself. Especially since the other two recent top-babyfaces, Orton and Punk ('til recently, at least) can't really begin to corner the sort of appeal Cena has with the kiddie dollar.

Mind, hate to go on a downer, but I've seen little to justify the attention showered on the character, it just doesn't fit, he doesn't seem comfortable, as soon as the crowd goes off the desired reaction that's been scripted, he looks like a plumber trying to bluff his way through a job-interview for an aeronautical-engineer. Besides, the 'Oirish' schtick tends to grate. It also goes 180 on his initial character, who lambasted Finlay for doing the same thing.

He can throw together a very compelling match, but his ring-style far favours his initial face-character, that of a 'walking-tall', Walker Texas Ranger-style blues-eyes. Unfortunately, it's not the market the 'E are looking to reinforce.

TL;DR:

Excellent talent, sullied with an ill-fitting character.

J. Marston

He's alright. Some of his ''banter'' can be a bit cringey though.

Pentecost

He's done better than anyone was expecting him to do. The "hooligans" and "brogue" schtick grates a bit but we're probably a bit more sensitive to that kind of thing than the Americans. He usually puts on a decent match and he's pretty over generally.

rossie1977

i don't understand his character and i think neither do creative, he is supposed to be face but comes across as a complete asshole who takes cheap shots at the supposed heels who are telling the truth, will be interesting to see where his character goes next, perhaps a female bodyguard (isis is still available) followed by aligning himself with a smaller charismatic wrestler to form stable of some sort

have to say though his catalog of matches in 2012 has been impressive though, great matches with bryan (extreme rules, raw 30 july), orton (sd), tensai (sd), jericho (sd), ziggler

gnfnrhead

The only problem with him is his character. It's just awful. He is far better as a straight up ass kicker, face or heel it doesn't matter. His character is directed way too much towards kids and it brings him down a lot. He seems awkward with it so I'm assuming he doesn't like it too much either. His comedy segments do be cringe worthy.

He has shown a huge over reliance on the Brogue Kick lately too. It's one thing getting a finisher over, it's another to have it as your only plan. It's rare for him to even attempt to realistically finish a match with something else these days.

Loughc

gnfnrhead wrote: »

He has shown a huge over reliance on the Brogue Kick lately too. It's one thing getting a finisher over, it's another to have it as your only plan. It's rare for him to even attempt to realistically finish a match with something else these days.

The same argument could be used with Shawn Michaels and sweet chin music, how many time in a match would Michael's attempt or use SCM?

JohnMarston

gnfnrhead wrote: »

The only problem with him is his character. It's just awful. He is far better as a straight up ass kicker, face or heel it doesn't matter. His character is directed way too much towards kids and it brings him down a lot. He seems awkward with it so I'm assuming he doesn't like it too much either. His comedy segments do be cringe worthy.

He has shown a huge over reliance on the Brogue Kick lately too. It's one thing getting a finisher over, it's another to have it as your only plan. It's rare for him to even attempt to realistically finish a match with something else these days.

I agree with that, his character does not play to his strengths as much as it could.
I'll take the brogue kick as a finisher, and at least he's trying to introduce new finishers to his repitoire. Its much better than Dull Rios oh so devastating cross-arm breaker

bobby_says_hi

he was a truly godawful heel. he brought nothing new to the table and all he had going for him was his look. the only good match he had was the one with Triple H at WrestleMania 26

however i feel he is a natural face. i don't get all the hate he seems to draw. i read someone saying he had the worst world title reign in ages. he is a great seller and really makes his opponents look good. when he's getting worked on in a match he makes it look like he's trying to fight back and that just adds to the intensity of it. compare him with Cena who just sells like he's just been shot and phones it in. i think Sheamus has improved so much from when he first debuted in WWE and this title reign he was definitely ready for. i'd like to see him drop it soon though since he's had it long enough and the crowd is bound to turn on him if he has it too long much like Cena's first WWE title reign

DEFTLEFTHAND

gnfnrhead wrote: »

The only problem with him is his character. It's just awful. He is far better as a straight up ass kicker, face or heel it doesn't matter. His character is directed way too much towards kids and it brings him down a lot. He seems awkward with it so I'm assuming he doesn't like it too much either. His comedy segments do be cringe worthy.

He has shown a huge over reliance on the Brogue Kick lately too. It's one thing getting a finisher over, it's another to have it as your only plan. It's rare for him to even attempt to realistically finish a match with something else these days.

Yeah you can sense that he's awkward with some of the things he's being told to do. His mike work seems to have regressed somewhat as a result and it can be even hard to make out what he's saying sometimes.

I'd also agree with the over reliance on the Brogue Kick. He used to use a modified version of the Razor's edge called the High Cross, I haven't seen it implemented at all recently, which is a shame because its a high impact move and impressive to witness.

Stereomaniac

I disagree. I would like to see him have the title for a while longer. I always thought it would be cool to see an Irish world champion when I was a child and now it has finally happened. I don't think he's a very good seller though. I mean, he just put on an animated limp or something one week and held his arm in close to his body. Commentary built up and injured limb in some match as well and then he miraculously fought through pain. I think he's good as a face, but, as has often been outlined here before, the character needs some changes. He could be a real Ken Shamrock kinda guy, intense, honourable. I definitely think his best matches have been this year. But I would like to see his real aggressive/rule-bending make a comeback fully. It could be pulled off while face.

sockmo

Sometimes I feel a little embarrassed when he's on the mic, he doesn't exactly possess the "gift of the gab" does he?It annoys me the way they try to portray him as this cheeky oirish fella.

I admit he has had some great matches this year but he'd work better if he was a bit more of a heelish babyface,if you know what I mean.He needs to be taken a bit more seriously cos he's just not a natural on the mic and at this comedy stuff.Though I don't think the Americans notice,they probably just want to laugh at the ginger Irish guy.

Stereomaniac

No. He really doesn't have the right mic skills. Steve Austin said in FSM recently that he didn't think Sheamus was ready for this title reign. I don't necessarily agree with that, but I just thought his column was interesting. Anyway, Sheamus reminds me of Keith Duffy when he's on the microphone. But I dunno does he think he's really good as well, he was being really "funny" when he was on The Late Late Show that time as well, remember?

cena

I like him. I find he can be funny on the mic.

rovert

I've said this before and this isn't a knock on the promotion but Sheamus is still too IWW in terms of his in ring persona - one dimensional babyface.

GTR63

The Del Rio feud killed any momentum he had built. I cringe when he does my auntie or toura loura stuff if he only did it the odd time I wouldn't mind. He is being booked too squeeky clean instead of Cena 2.0 which he'll never be book him with a bit of bite instead of grinning redhead.

rossie1977

Stereomaniac wrote: »

No. He really doesn't have the right mic skills. Steve Austin said in FSM recently that he didn't think Sheamus was ready for this title reign.

its not like he is being pushed as the number one guy in the company, at best he is distant 3rd so not exactly sure where austin is coming from, sheamus is ic champion if we are talking 1987-2001, nothing wrong with his in-ring work, a simple tweaking of the character is all it needs, i jokingly compared him with hhh in my last post but this current version of sheamus reminds me so much of hhh pre dx

Mr.Nice Guy

Might belong in the unpopular opinions thread but I enjoyed the Del Rio/Sheamus feud. I seem to be a lot higher on Del Rio than most people though.

With regards Sheamus I think his in-ring work has been very impressive. In fact if it wasn't so good I think a part of the audience might have turned on him big time by now. I think, as has been said, the character is the problem. He's a one dimensional blarney bruiser basically.

I hate all that 'me great-uncle Mickey O'Flanagan' baloney and it seems if they're not giving him these blarney-yarns then they are having him do comedy that is totally unsuited to him, i.e. that skit with Otunga where he is cracking Jewish jokes. Yeah, that's believable. The six-foot red-headed Irish Larry David.

In my view they should just portray him like they did with Batista when he had his Smackdown World Title run. I see similarities with the Sheamus reign but I don't recall Batista having all the comedy stuff. I don't think Batista - in his initial babyface run - was all that good on the mic but it didn't matter as they let his actions speak louder than his words. I also think Sheamus is a more entertaining wrestler too than Batista.

I'd like to see them present him as the guy who loses his cool, which they were sort of doing for a while talking about him being a hothead, rather than doing the smarmy, wise-guy stuff which to me he is not suited for.

A Primal Nut

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

Yeah you can sense that he's awkward with some of the things he's being told to do. His mike work seems to have regressed somewhat as a result and it can be even hard to make out what he's saying sometimes.

I'd also agree with the over reliance on the Brogue Kick. He used to use a modified version of the Razor's edge called the High Cross, I haven't seen it implemented at all recently, which is a shame because its a high impact move and impressive to witness.

It's a great move and makes him look like a genuine badass, but I think it may have been banned because it's hard for the other guy to avoid landing on his head. Think it was Jamie Noble who said that? I can't remember but somebody said it. He tried to replace it with White Noise but it was only a finisher the first couple of times, now it's just a normal move.

I liked when he had two finishers, it made the end of his matches a bit more unpredictable.

That said, the Brogue Kick is awesome, it really looks like he's taking the guy's head off when it's sold right.

I like his character, he's a bit of a laugh who means business. Preferred him as a heel, but if he's gonna be a face then what he is now is fine. Could do with a few hotter feuds - him and Barrett could be a serious feud. Not much comedy, just sheer intensity. Doesn't really suit the Smackdown writers though.

D.Q

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Yeah, that's believable. The six-foot red-headed Irish Larry David.

Close this forum down. Its served its purpose now.

Headshot

Cant stand him, hate his appearance and wrestling

Arrow in the Knee

IMO Sheamus just doesn't fit in with the WWE really, does he?
He's far too white for his own good and needs a proper hair cut and shave the bum fluff of his face: Ah me Auntie this,that and the other.
It's great to see Sheamus as World Heavyweight Champion but it's kinda stupid having both a World HW and WWE Champions eventhough there is a reason for it.
ie:You'd think World Heayweight Champion was the top of the tree but really its WWE Champion!

Reading Bleacher Reports they think Sheamus has a chance of being a WWE legend in the future and he continues defeating oponents he will but Randy Orton,Barrett and others will be at him fairly quickly.
It's great to see an Irish wrestler in the WWE and doing well.
Good for him!

PS. Did anybody see any articles this week in any Irish Newspaper about Sheamus still being World Heavyweight Champion.

DM_7

Matches are really good.

Believable as another 'Superman'.

I like how he treats heels like dirt and laughs about it.

I look forward to him feuding with Punk one day.

I don't like how he turned into the Irish stereotype 'lets have a pint' after saying he didn't want to be the typical Irish stereotype. But I can live with it as its done for humour rather than making him appear like a drunk.

I love how he got the Brogue kick over. Always hated that type of move in the past.

bobby_says_hi

I don't find him one-dimensional at all. To me one dimensional is the generic face who gives a Colgate smile and high fives a couple of fans while otherwise keeping silent, or else the generic heel who makes mean faces and gets no heat. I feel like I know who Sheamus the character is. He seems like a real person and the character comes across as natural whereas with say Randy Orton the character doesn't look natural at all. Sheamus isn't a complete goody-goody so he is prevented from being Cena version 2 in my opinion

ciano316

I'm a Sheamus fan.

People who say he doesn't fit in need to look at the bigger picture of how the Americans look at him. Nearly all other wrestlers are tanned, then you have this big red and white Irish bruiser who literally looks like he's doing damage to his opponents.. His ring work is good for his size and as a face he is good and is being built as another Cena. He does need to get over a bit more and needs more of a reaction from the fans.. Although before the great white bit of his career I think he got less of a reaction so maybe he's getting there. In my opinion

TheTwiz

Big Sheamus fan here. He's unique & different. He actually makes it look real & seems a legit tough Irish bastard. What more could you want? He's over with the Americans too.

A Primal Nut

Arrow in the Knee wrote: »

IMO Sheamus just doesn't fit in with the WWE really, does he?
He's far too white for his own good and needs a proper hair cut and shave the bum fluff of his face: Ah me Auntie this,that and the other.

Personally I like someone who looks a bit different - would be boring if they all looked the same. Not that I really care what a wrestler looks like. Why do people go on and on about Sheamus' skin colour like it actually matters? I thought us Irish would relate more to someone who doesn't look an Oompa Loompa.

paddyismaddy

bobby_says_hi wrote: »

he was a truly godawful heel. he brought nothing new to the table and all he had going for him was his look. the only good match he had was the one with Triple H at WrestleMania 26

however i feel he is a natural face. i don't get all the hate he seems to draw. i read someone saying he had the worst world title reign in ages. he is a great seller and really makes his opponents look good. when he's getting worked on in a match he makes it look like he's trying to fight back and that just adds to the intensity of it. compare him with Cena who just sells like he's just been shot and phones it in. i think Sheamus has improved so much from when he first debuted in WWE and this title reign he was definitely ready for. i'd like to see him drop it soon though since he's had it long enough and the crowd is bound to turn on him if he has it too long much like Cena's first WWE title reign

i prefer him as a heel myself

delighted he is doing so well in wwe and is one of their top guys

he needs a really great feud and not big slow maybe rhodes or barrett

Ridley

The Del Rio fued is (or was depending on Smackdown) a chore but his character has been more interesting in recent months than it was before when his storyline was essentially just turning up for matches and being the champion or Royal Rumble winner. I have my issues with the way he's being presented as a face at times, same with Cena, but I can enjoy his matches now unlike the days when the best thing he did was bravely run away from Nexus.

His first two WWE Championship runs I could have done without.

Oh and I hate the crucifix powerbomb.

Stereomaniac

rossie1977 wrote: »

its not like he is being pushed as the number one guy in the company, at best he is distant 3rd so not exactly sure where austin is coming from, sheamus is ic champion if we are talking 1987-2001, nothing wrong with his in-ring work, a simple tweaking of the character is all it needs, i jokingly compared him with hhh in my last post but this current version of sheamus reminds me so much of hhh pre dx

Yes, but he is being pushed as the main attraction on the second show every week. If John Cena were to suddenly die in the morning (I know he's injured, but if he was NEVER coming back), I think they'd throw Sheamus into the slot that he'd be vacating. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy his matches and I hope he continues to do well. But it's just the material that he's being given (at least I hope he ain't coming up with any of those lines himself!). As for the Triple H comparison, I don't see that at all, what d'ya mean?

Venom

I like Sheamus overall but less of saying "fella" and "pints" every sentence, the Aunty and Uncle crap and the other Orish bollocks wouldn't be missed. He really needs to get away from Del Boro as its killing his spots as that boring feud has gone on way to long at this stage.

DaveSuarez

Not his biggest fan, I haven't been able to get into him as a face at all.

brianregan09

He's buying into the crap that he hated when he started out (Finlay) I'd love to see Sheamus just be a stone cold arse kickin monster he doens't need all the ****e he talks at all, a champ doesn't need to be funny to get over

Loughc

brianregan09 wrote: »

He's buying into the crap that he hated when he started out (Finlay) I'd love to see Sheamus just be a stone cold arse kickin monster he doens't need all the ****e he talks at all, a champ doesn't need to be funny to get over

Agree with this, Sheamus works better as a take no prisoners smash mouth face. Failing that I wouldn't mind seeing him as a heel again.