Several AEW wrestlers are reportedly pushing for the company to sign Sheamus now that his WWE contract has expired, according to Fightful Select. Sheamus became a free agent on October 1 or 2, and AEW is expected to show interest in him.
Fightful published the report under the headline "Sheamus Expected To Draw Interest From AEW." The reporting comes from WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, which said a handful of AEW talent are in favor of Sheamus joining the company. Fightful has not named them.
Slam Wrestling reported that Claudio Castagnoli, Sheamus's former tag team partner now in AEW, is expected to be among those pushing the company to pursue him.
Sheamus spent nearly 20 years with WWE, from 2006 to 2026, and won the WWE Championship, the United States Championship and tag team titles. Fightful Select first reported his WWE exit in July 2026. His last WWE match, according to Fightful, was a Raw tag match with John Cena and Rey Mysterio against The Judgment Day.
Slam Wrestling reported that Sheamus turned down a restructured contract offer from WWE while he was recovering from injury. He did not ask for a release and was not released. Joel Pearl of Fightful said of the situation: "Once he's done, he is out. There will be no 90-day (non-compete)." Pearl added that it would be "just Stephen Farrelly, professional wrestler," doing whatever he wants once the contract ends.
Sheamus posted a short message on social media after becoming a free agent, saying "all challengers welcome" and signing it with his legal name, S. Farrelly, Fightful reported.
No deal with AEW has been announced, and the reports name AEW as the only company expected to show interest. As of Wednesday, Sheamus is a free agent with no announced next move.
