Claudio Castagnoli is not going to be the one to break the news about his former tag team partner. Asked by the Daily Star whether he would like to see Sheamus in AEW, Castagnoli declined to comment, saying it was Sheamus’s decision.
“I feel that’s not for me to talk about. I feel that is for him to talk about when he’s ready for it,” Castagnoli said.
He did acknowledge the friendship has held up over the years, and came as close as he was going to come to a tease.
“I’ve stayed friends with him throughout. Of course, I would like to see my friends on a more regular basis,” Castagnoli said. “I feel I’m gonna get that question a lot, but I do feel that is his to answer when he’s ready for it.”
The two are linked because of The Bar, the team they formed in WWE when Castagnoli was known as Cesaro. They held the Raw Tag Team Championship four times and the SmackDown Tag Team Championship once before splitting in 2019. Castagnoli left WWE in 2022 and debuted in AEW that June, where he is now a member of the Death Riders.
Speculation about a reunion picked up after Fightful Select reported that Sheamus is leaving WWE, having turned down a restructured contract offer while recovering from shoulder surgery. Because his deal is expiring rather than being terminated, he is not expected to be subject to the standard 90-day non-compete. Fightful also reported that Castagnoli is expected to be among those pushing for AEW to sign him, though sources cautioned that CMLL and other promotions outside AEW would also offer the two options to work together. Castagnoli signed with CMLL in March while keeping his AEW deal.
Sheamus has not said where he is going, which is roughly what Castagnoli was getting at.
