Inside The Ropes

After months away, Baron Corbin made a shocking return to WWE on the July 10 edition of SmackDown.

Corbin appeared during the heated showdown between Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes, stopping Hayes from connecting with his signature offense before laying out both men with the devastating End of Days. The surprise comeback immediately sent the WWE Universe into a frenzy and appears to place Corbin squarely in the middle of the rivalry between two of SmackDown’s top rising stars.

Kenny Omega is once again the face of AEW, defeating MJF in the main event of AEW Dynamite: Beach Break to capture the AEW World Championship for the second time. The victory was especially significant, as Omega had put his future title aspirations on the line, had he lost, he would never have been able to challenge for the championship again. MJF’s third reign as champion comes to an end after 46 days, setting the stage for a blockbuster summer atop the AEW card.

With Sheamus reportedly set to leave WWE, a possible move to AEW is already generating discussion backstage.

According to Bryan Alvarez, several AEW wrestlers expressed concern, not because of any issue with Sheamus personally, but because of the company’s already-crowded roster.

“I did talk to a lot of people today in AEW who were like, ‘Are we really gonna take this guy?’”

Alvarez emphasized that everyone he spoke with praised the former world champion.

“Let me make this abundantly clear, everybody I talked to, to a person, was like, ‘I really like Sheamus. I really like him.’”

The concern, he said, was over opportunities for existing talent.

“There are so many people under contract, and there are so many people that already can’t even get on TV. And we’re gonna hire another 48-year-old?”

He added that some in the locker room fear that adding names like Sheamus, and potentially other incoming free agents, could further squeeze younger and long-tenured performers.

“That’s three more slots that people who have been there for a long time or who should be on the way up, they’re gonna be iced out again. People weren’t really thrilled about that idea.”

As of now, there is no indication that Sheamus has signed with AEW or that an offer has been made. The discussion simply highlights the balancing act that comes with managing one of wrestling’s deepest rosters.

We've got a STACKED few months of live shows ahead of us!

🚬 The Godfather - Aug 10th, Glasgow
💥 Diamond Dallas Page - Aug 21st, Glasgow | Aug 25th, London
💋 Billy Gunn - Sept 14th, Glasgow | Sept 15th, Newcastle | Sept 16th, London
🫡 Jake Hager - Sept 26th, Glasgow
🎖️ Kurt Angle - Sept 28th, Glasgow | Sept 29th, London

Kurt Angle's London date is already SOLD OUT and other shows are selling fast, so grab your tickets while you can 👇👇