In the realm of professional wrestling, returns from injury are often met with fanfare, and Sheamus’ comeback to WWE RAW was no exception. After an eight-month hiatus, Sheamus stepped back into the ring on the April 15 episode, defeating Ivar to the delight of the live audience. However, his return sparked a mixed reaction on social media, with some fans poking fun at his apparent weight gain. Sheamus himself admitted that his return was sooner than anticipated, which may have contributed to his changed physique.
Legendary wrestling personality Dutch Mantell decided to weigh in on the situation during his show, Story Time with Dutch Mantell. He came to the defense of the four-time WWE world champion, stating that while Sheamus may have gained some weight, it was not as significant as some critics suggested. Mantell remarked, “I didn’t think he looked that fat. He definitely put a little weight on, but when you told me that, I was expecting to see a much, much heavier Sheamus. Yeah, he put weight on, but he’s not fat.”
Sheamus’ absence from the ring was due to a career-threatening shoulder injury. His victory over Ivar marked his first match since his bout with Edge on the August 18, 2023, episode of SmackDown. Despite the setback, Sheamus has been active in the fitness community, sharing his workout routines with other WWE stars on his Celtic Warrior Workouts YouTube channel. The channel has featured workouts with notable wrestlers such as Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, John Cena, and Seth Rollins.
Mantell suggested that Sheamus could turn the criticism to his advantage by documenting his fitness journey on his YouTube channel. By showing his efforts to get back in shape, Sheamus could inspire and engage his audience. Mantell said, “I think that’d be great for his show. He said, ‘I got heavier because I couldn’t do this, this, this. Now I’m gonna lose the weight. You watch me lose the weight.’ I think it’s great. I think Sheamus might be a lot smarter than those critics out there.”
Looking ahead, Sheamus’ prospects in WWE remain a topic of interest, especially with the 2024 WWE Draft on the horizon. The draft is set to shake up the roster, beginning on the April 26 episode of SmackDown and concluding on the April 29 episode of RAW. As fans speculate on Sheamus’ future and his potential to win a title in 2024, his return to the ring has certainly reignited conversations about his career and resilience.
