Booker T explains why WWE is not the ‘bad guy’ after Sheamus’ exit
Recently, Hall of Famer Booker T addressed Sheamus’ WWE exit and explained why the promotion was not to blame.
A few days ago, reports emerged that Sheamus had not extended his contract. Rumors and reports suggested that the former World Champion was offered a low-paying restructured contract, which he refused to accept. While still under contract, Sheamus is reportedly done with the promotion.
Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T explained why WWE is not the “bad guy” in this situation, despite people making it seem that way.
“Someone like Sheamus, four-time world champion, he’s put in his work. The thing is, if Sheamus left WWE, he still can go ahead and make money and still do this thing for however many more years he actually wants to do it, if he actually wants to do it. When I hear people literally trying to make WWE the bad guy when somebody gets released, laid off, or fired — that happens in any corporation. It really does,” Booker T said.
The veteran further explained that one cannot expect a talent to stay in a company forever and shared real-life examples to support his claim.
Booker T explains Sheamus’ decision to leave WWE
In the same podcast, the Hall of Famer further explained Sheamus’ recent decision to leave the promotion while sharing real-life football and basketball examples.
“What did I say about talent in the WWE just about a month or so ago? I said, man, we’re in a different time now. It ain’t like it was back in the day when it was the Attitude Era, when you think guys are going to be around for a hundred years.
“When I hear the term lifer, [people say], ‘Oh, well, I thought he was going to be a lifer.’ What the hell does that really mean in a job? When you work at job, what does that really mean? I mean, does anybody expect any basketball player to stay on the team forever? How many football players stay on the team forever? One? One maybe still be coaching, you know what I mean, assistant coach,” Booker T said.
“He’ll keep that job for the remainder of his life until he retires. How many actually do that? How many people like myself, who have been in the wrestling business for 35 years, go from wrestler to commentator? There’s not that many. There’s a life expectancy in everything. I’ve heard these podcasters, people talking about this could be a problem.
“Sheamus is 48 years old, okay? Sheamus started in the WWE in 2007 in the FCW program. He started on the main roster in 2009. This guy’s had a damn near 20-year career as a professional wrestler in one company.” (H/T Fightful)
Sheamus has now left WWE after a 19-year-run with the promotion, and while not confirmed, there were certain recent rumors about him joining AEW.
Shounak Chakrabarti is an experienced sports journalist with a lifelong passion for athletics and storytelling. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Journalism from the University of Leeds and joined F4WOnline in 2025.
Shounak takes particular interest in soccer, closely following top clubs like Real Madrid and Arsenal. Beyond sports, he enjoys fiction writing, photography, gaming, and cinema.