Why Sheamus was the Perfect WWE Champion
Sheamus winning the WWE World Heavyweight was universally panned by critics and wrestling fans alike. However, hindsight shows it was not only the right decision but a near perfect one.
Going into Survivor Series there were many theories as what would happen in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament. Some believed that Roman Reigns frustrated with the fans would turn on his friend Dean Ambrose and join the Authority as champion. Others thought the opposite would happen that Dean Ambrose would turn, win the championship and possibly join the Authority.
What happened of course is Reigns won cleanly, celebrated only to get attacked from behind by Sheamus who cashed in his Money In The Bank briefcase. It was the worst choice possible according to most fans at the time. It was more of the same, the heels going over and WWE picking a guy no one really cared about. However, when you get to the end of the story it is an awesome ending that no one other than Sheamus could deliver in that role.
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WWE has tried to push Roman Reigns as the top face for over a year after he came back from surgery that derailed his initial push. However, in his case absence did not make the heart grow fonder with the “WWE Universe” instead they seemed to disdain him that he was the “chosen” one while guys like Daniel Bryan, Dean Ambrose and others had moved up spots in his place while he was out. Then the horribly booked Royal Rumble Match where the fans in Philadelphia all but rioted when he won the Rumble and the main event match at WrestleMania. Not even the Rock could help calm the boos. This mix of boos and cheers continued for Roman all year but it didn’t thwart WWE’s choice to make him the top babyface defying all logic.
Then cue Survivor Series, again WWE fans were mixed on him winning the title after a decent match with Dean Ambrose. Then of course Sheamus cashes in the Money In the Bank contract and becomes champion. Sheamus was probably the only guy that fans didn’t want to see as champion more than Reigns. However, this is where things slowly start to change.
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Going into TLC, Sheamus forms his own, somewhat separate from the Authority faction, the League of Nations. This did two things, helped build Sheamus as a bit more of a challenge and leader of a faction and also gave importance to some guys who could quickly fall out of the upper midcard. Then going into TLC, even though the promo was not good, the actions of Reigns built up to a more aggressive and violent character vs a pure superhero.
TLC of course saw Reigns once again get screwed out of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. And once again fans thought, great another win for Triple H’s buddy. However, this time after the match they had Reigns use more chair shots than has been seen in the WWE since the Attitude Era. He absolutely destroyed Sheamus and Triple H much to the delight of the fans. Sheamus as champion played the perfect heel, playing off beloved Stone Cold Steve Austin’s famous catchphrase. People legitimately hated him and wanted to see him destroyed. Adding in the brutality against Triple H and Reings had in one match and segment built himself to be someone fans could relate, a guy that wasn’t going to take it anymore. That is someone they could cheer for.
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This of course carried over into this past Monday Night Raw where Reigns stood up to Vince McMahon, including delivering a Super Man Punch on the Chairman. He went on to win the title and more importantly won the fans in the very same building he was booed out of just 11 months earlier. Had anyone but Sheamus, who fans could not stand on many levels, this would not have worked and we still would be wondering when Roman Reigns was just going to turn heel. Luckily WWE seemingly has found the right character fit and storyline as they move into 2016 and in to WrestleMania.