In December 2009, a relatively new Sheamus shocked the world by defeating John Cena in a Tables Match at the TLC pay-per-view to become the first-ever Irish-born WWE Champion. In a new interview, Sheamus has revealed the full story behind his career-making victory, including the fact that the finish was changed on the day of the show.
Sheamus had only been on the main roster for a few months before being catapulted into the WWE Championship picture. His rapid ascent was surprising to many, including Sheamus himself, who went into the biggest match of his life fully expecting to lose. The last-minute creative change altered the course of his entire career.
“I Was Told I Was Losing”
Speaking with Chris Van Vliet on the Insight podcast, Sheamus detailed the events of that fateful day. He explained that he was under the impression that he would not be winning the title, a plan that was abruptly changed by Vince McMahon just hours before the show. He also revealed that it was John Cena himself who suggested the title change.
“It was mental, because I didn’t know what was happening. So a quick story. I was on ECW… That feud fella, put me on the map right away… I had to wrestle Jamie Noble… I was told, You better bring the next one, or you’re going to be dead in the water… Then the next week or two, I’m in Survivor Series. And then all of a sudden we’re going off towards this breakthrough battle royal thing, and I’m wrestling John, I had no idea. So the day at the day of TLC, I drove into San Antonio, and I fully expected I was told I was losing, and I was in the car with I think Arn Anderson and Scott Armstrong, and Scott was saying what an upset would be if you won. And Arn was like, ‘No, no, it’s too early.'”
“Put The Kid Over”
Sheamus then recounted being pulled into a room with Vince McMahon, John Cena, and Arn Anderson, where the finish was changed on the spot. He praised John Cena for his immediate and selfless willingness to put him over for the championship.
“Then all of a sudden, got pulled into the room, and Vince is there, and I’m nervous as hell, right? Because all of a sudden I’m going into a WWE Championship match. Vince he turned around to me and John and Arn. He said, ‘John, what if we…’ John goes, ‘Put the kid over?’ Vince is like, ‘Yeah, no problem.’ And that was it. And he walked out, and I’m just sitting there, what the f*ck is happening? And then when we went out there, that was John, though. Right away, straight up was like, let’s do it.”
You can hear the full interview with Sheamus on the Insight with Chris Van Vliet YouTube channel.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Chris Van Vliet with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
