WWE Armchair Booking: How to Maximize Sheamus as Mr. Money in the Bank

The Money in the Bank briefcase can net Sheamus more than a run with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. It can be the catalyst for him to be among the most hated men on the roster as he robs heroes of opportunities and joins a cadre of villains.

While The Celtic Warrior was certainly not the first choice of the Internet Wrestling Community as the next Mr. Money in the Bank, he will thrive in that role.

That's especially true if WWE portrays him as a dangerous predator on the prowl—if it uses Sheamus' contract-filled briefcase as a means to create stories of heartbreak. Heel heat is hard to come by in modern wrestling. The Money in the Bank concept, though, is a prime chance to generate plenty for the Irish powerhouse.

That should begin with it being his ticket into an exclusive club.

Selling Out

The Authority has shown that it prefers having Mr. Money in the Bank in its corner. Randy Orton in that role was the centerpiece of that faction at its inception. Seth Rollins later turned his back on The Shield before Kane and company assured him of getting his hands on the briefcase.

It makes sense for a group obsessed with control, especially when it comes to the world championship, to invest in a man all but assured a title reign.

Lingering tension between Rollins and Kane should lead to Triple H bringing in Sheamus as the latter's replacement. WWE teases that Rollins is set to be ousted from the group. The Game calls a meeting in the ring.

Credit: WWE.com

Sheamus enters before Triple H explains that The Authority needs to repair its cracks. The Celtic Warrior teases as if he's going to go after Rollins but instead Brogue Kicks Kane.

Triple H says that he is tired of dealing with all the infighting. He says that he needs a stronger, younger right-hand man. Sheamus then serves as the group's muscle. "And now Seth, if you get out of line, we have a fail safe ready. We have a plan B," Triple H says.

The switch leads to Kane returning to his old monstrous persona. As a vigilante babyface, he returns in a mask, looking to wreck havoc on The Authority for betraying him. That sets up a short feud between him and Sheamus.

The Celtic Warrior eventually outlasts the big man in a Street Fight. Sheamus tells fans that the Kane they knew and loved is done with.

A Battle for the Briefcase

Sheamus moves on from that feud and pounces on any fan favorite who takes issue with The Authority. He softens up Rollins' potential contenders, clashing with the likes of Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler.

Soon, a new wrestler arrives. Finn Balor makes his way from NXT in search of vengeance against Kevin Owens.

Balor stands in the ring on Raw, demanding that Owens come out and that The Authority grant him a match. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon come out and tell Balor that he's just a rookie; he doesn't get to give orders.

"We're clearly going to have to teach you some humility," McMahon says.

She then brings out Sheamus to clobber the newcomer. Sheamus delights in whipping Balor with a steel chair and slamming him onto the guardrail. That kicks off a rivalry between the two, one brimming with potential.

Even when both Sheamus and Balor were wrestling in Ireland, they didn't face each other. This would be a fresh matchup, an intriguing blend of brawling and high-flying.

Balor looks as if he is going to win their first official encounter, but Sheamus saves himself by hitting a low blow behind the referee's back. Afterward, Balor demands a rematch, but his foe refuses. Balor says Sheamus is afraid of him and eventually goads him into putting his briefcase on the line in their next bout.

There's a marquee pay-per-view matchup right there.

Sheamus wins a hard-fought battle with some underhanded techniques along the way. The powerhouse then brags about knocking off a folk hero and everyone's favorite underdog. He gloats about still having his briefcase in hand.

Playing to the IWC's angst over him being Mr. Money in the Bank is smart. His next move should be to take out a star popular among the casual fans.

When Sheamus Strikes

Reigns defeats Rollins at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, wrapping up a story of the babyface overcoming the corrupt corporate faction. With broken tables, bent ladders and warped chairs strewn about the ring, he takes the WWE title to his chest and squeezes it.

In comes Sheamus.

He makes sure that Reigns has a short reign. A drained Reigns puts up a fight but takes a Brogue Kick to the face and loses his title. 

Credit: WWE.com

The Authority's backup plan keeps the title in the group. It also turns a celebratory moment for Reigns' fans into a punch to the gut. 

WWE has a number of options from here. It can have Rollins turn face after feeling betrayed by The Authority and send him after Sheamus. Otherwise, Lesnar can come after The Celtic Warrior, setting up a compelling slugfest at the Royal Rumble.

Either way, WWE would get a number of high-quality matches out of the deal. The briefcase would have done its job and elevated Sheamus while generating a good amount of drama along the way.