Ouch! Sheamus Explains What the WWE Product Is Missing Today

Ouch! Sheamus didn’t hold back.

SmackDown Tag Team Champion Sheamus has been employed with WWE since 2006. He made his main roster debut working for WWE’s ECW on June 30, 2009.

Over the course of his career, Sheamus has had a multitude of memorable moments, matches and Championship victories- including several runs with the WWE and World Heavyweight Championships.

That said, Sheamus would go on to reveal in a recent interview with Solo Wrestling that the product today is missing a key ingredient. Character development. Again- ouch!

During the interview, Sheamus explained that television shows often focus on character development as it brings the viewers back. Sure, the action is always good- but without memorable and interesting characters, what emotional tie does the viewer have to the show?

Sheamus began by saying the following:

“Today a very different product is offered. I think we’re missing some characters. Yes, I believe it. I think we are leaving the creation of characters a little abandoned. Any important series like Game of Thrones or The Walking Dead base their product around the characters and their background. I think the athletes and wrestlers that we have today are the best in the history of the business, although in turn I think the business has changed to what people want to see.”

“Then you see Finn Bálor with his alter ego from The Demon, you also have the Bludgeon Brothers – there are a lot of characters, but I think they should be reinforced a bit more. Perhaps one of the most popular characters that WWE has right now is the prodigy of NXT, The Velveteen Dream. He is a 23-year-old star, talented and with an arrogant character who is destined to do great things in the future.” 

If you’re unfamiliar with Velveteen Dream, check out the highlight video we’ve provided of the up-and-coming NXT Superstar below.

Behind the magic of Velveteen Dream: NXT Mixtape

Continuing, Sheamus would add that character development does not have to mean over-the-top unbelievable characters. No. Rather, he believes characters that fans can relate and identify with is the way to go.

Here is what he had to say:

“I do not mean characters like The Berzerker or Papa Shango. Don’t mean unrealistic characters. I mean things about which people can feel identified. But that’s one thing that talent should do itself, and it’s taking the opportunity to show fans a personal side. Although I reiterate again, we have never had as many talented stars as we have today.” 

Sheamus, as fans may be able to tell, is a long-time wrestling fan, not just a wrestler. He is asked during the interview who his favorite wrestling character is. Sheamus divides this up into two subsections- personality and character.

He explains his answers below:

“As for personality, without a doubt, my favorite of all time is Macho Man Randy Savage. As for character, there is no doubt that the greatest of all time is The Undertaker, right? Look at all the time he has spent in the business and everything he has achieved. He is one of the greatest in history and I will remember him forever.”

The McMahon family have indicated that changes will be made this year. Fans will get more of what they want and less of what they don’t want. Perhaps what Sheamus speaks of can be a reality for WWE fans over the coming months.

With H/T to 411Mania for the transcriptions.

Editor’s Note: 

I totally agree with what Sheamus says. I think the wrestling is always important, but character development will make fans care. Stars need their own identity to shine. Wrestling ability alone won’t always cut it in WWE.

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Do you agree or disagree with Sheamus? What are your favorite historical wrestling characters?

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