Sheamus Reportedly Exiting WWE When Contract Expires Soon

A former WWE Champion is departing the promotion. Fightful Select reports that veteran WWE Superstar, Sheamus (aka Stephen Farrelly), is leaving the company with the upcoming expiration of his current contract.

According to Fightful’s report, Sheamus turned down a contract extension, so it was not a matter of him being released from his contract or WWE opting not to offer him a renewal with the deal’s expiration.

However, WWE reportedly approached Sheamus about a “restructured contract” while he was sidelined due to injury. It’s said that Sheamus quickly rejected the restructuring offer. His current WWE contract is slated to expire within months, so WWE apparently didn’t see any purpose in immediately releasing him for a 90-day notice of termination period.

Sheamus has been out since November of last year due to a shoulder injury. Sheamus has been with WWE for over 19 years, signing as a developmental talent in 2007. He later debuted on an episode of WWE’s ECW TV in June 2009.

Sheamus Had a Long and Illustrious WWE Career

During the course of his WWE career, Sheamus became a multi-time WWE World Champion, becoming a three-time WWE Champion and a one-time World Heavyweight Champion. He also became a three-time WWE United States Champion, and he won the Tag Team Titles on four separate occasions with The Bar tag team partner, Claudio Castagnoli (formerly Cesaro).

Sheamus also won the King of the Ring tournament in 2010, the Royal Rumble in 2012, and the Money in the Bank in 2015. Sheamus had long sought to win the WWE Intercontinental Title as it was the only major singles title he had yet to win in his WWE career, to secure his status as a WWE Grand Slam Champion. However, it now appears that accolade will never come to pass for the 48-year-old wrestling veteran.

Fightful’s report notes that there’s no specific date for when Sheamus’ contract will expire, but it’s said to be happening soon. He last wrestled on the November 17 edition of Monday Night Raw, teaming with John Cena and Rey Mysterio against The Judgment Day’s Dominik Mysterio, Finn Bálor, and JD McDonagh.