Sheamus, now going by his real name Stephen Farrelly or simply S. Farrelly, has confirmed his status as a free agent following the expiration of his WWE contract on October 1. His tenure with WWE, which began in 2006, has officially ended. Sharing a message on X, he welcomed all challengers to step forward.
Fightful Select initially reported Farrelly’s free agency last Friday. He responded directly on X with the phrase, “all challengers welcome – s. farrelly 🐺,” signaling his openness to new opportunities.
Earlier in July, Fightful Select revealed that Farrelly declined a revamped contract extension from WWE, indicating his decision to depart. On July 10, he updated his social media handle to S. Farrelly and posted a goodbye message to WWE fans. WWE has since listed him in the alumni section on its website.
Farrelly’s last match took place on the November 17, 2025, episode of Raw, where he teamed with John Cena and Rey Mysterio against The Judgment Day. He later underwent shoulder surgery in December 2025, causing a hiatus from in-ring action.
Throughout his illustrious WWE career, Farrelly won the WWE Championship three times, the World Heavyweight Championship once, and the United States Championship three times. He also claimed tag team titles on five occasions. Notably, he achieved victories in the 2010 King of the Ring, the 2012 Royal Rumble, and captured the Money in the Bank briefcase in 2015, though he never held the Intercontinental Championship.
Fightful also mentioned that AEW is reportedly interested in signing Farrelly, although no official talks have occurred yet.
With several close friends currently in AEW—such as Claudio Castagnoli (his former tag team partner in The Bar) and Jon Moxley—Farrelly is known for his amiable personality and strong relationships within the industry. A source from the AEW locker room told Fightful that they would warmly welcome him, making a future with AEW a very real possibility.
Since his WWE non-compete clause has expired, Farrelly is free to appear in any promotion immediately. This could mean a debut on AEW Collision tonight, Dynamite on Wednesday, or even a stint with TNA if their budget allows for a full contract or limited appearances.
In AEW, the matchups practically create themselves: Farrelly versus Kyle Fletcher, a showdown with Kenny Omega, or reuniting with Castagnoli against top tag teams like The Young Bucks, FTR, or the team of Adam Copeland and Christian Cage. The potential storylines and rivalries are vast.
Fan Take:
Farrelly’s free agency is an exciting development for fight fans as it opens the door for fresh matchups and renewed rivalries in the wrestling world. His potential move to AEW could inject significant star power into the promotion, elevating the competitive landscape and offering fans unforgettable moments.
Source: wrestlingnews.co
