WWE Battleground 2015: Fantasy Booking a Sheamus Championship Cash-in

Since winning the Money in the Bank ladder match last month, debate has ensued: Was Sheamus the right Superstar to win? And if yes, then when might his cash-in take place?

Sheamus wasn’t everyone’s first choice to win the briefcase, but he’s a great option. This is especially true if Brock Lesnar, who’s become a babyface since his return to the ring, winds up winning the title from Seth Rollins at WWE Battleground.

Should Lesnar win easily at Battleground, there will always be a heel-in-waiting holding the opportunity to take the title from The Beast Incarnate. Should the Rollins-Lesnar matchup prove to be competitive at this month’s pay-per-view, Sheamus could benefit and steal the title.

Will WWE book Sheamus to cash in his Money in the Bank contract at Battleground? Here's how it might go down and the aftermath.

Lead-up to WWE Battleground

During the go-home show for Raw on July 13, Sheamus faces Rollins in a non-title match set up by The Authority so Rollins can prove himself before facing Lesnar at Battleground.

Prior to the match, Lesnar and Paul Heyman confront Sheamus backstage. Sheamus tells Lesnar he has no intention of cashing in at Battleground, but he would need to be ready if the situation ever presented itself.

Headlining Raw that night, Sheamus and Rollins trade moves throughout the match. Sheamus, who was facing a loss as the match progresses, grabs the briefcase and starts walking up the ramp. Sheamus takes a count out loss, but Lesnar’s music hits. The two walk past each other with a quick glance. Sheamus wants no part of Lesnar, who heads to the ring to stare down Rollins.

On Smackdown later that week, Sheamus is interviewed by Michael Cole in-ring and says he respects Lesnar too much and knows The Beast Incarnate will be expecting The Celtic Warrior to find the quickest opportunity to cash-in. That, he says, is why he’ll hold onto the briefcase for a while.

Dolph Ziggler comes out and tells Sheamus it’s not about respect, but fear. The Celtic Warrior proceeds to beat down Ziggler, which leads to a match that Sheamus once again walks away from. The two are later booked for a match at Battleground.

A Battleground Cash-In

Following interference by Rusev, Sheamus defeats Ziggler in their pay-per-view match. Sheamus cuts another backstage interview stating he won’t interfere in the night’s main event, at which point Rollins walks past and nods approvingly. 

Rollins and Lesnar go at it and, thanks to a half-dozen German suplexes, Lesnar gets the upper hand early. But Lesnar misses a spear in the corner, sending his shoulder into the steel post. Rollins capitalizes, hitting Lesnar with everything he’s got. After two successive Pedigrees, Lesnar is still able to kick out at a two-count.

Rollins goes to the top rope, but his attempt at a flying cross body is met by Lesnar, who catches him and delivers an F-5. Both men are lying in the middle of the ring when Sheamus comes running down the ramp to cash-in.

J&J Security try to stop Sheamus, but both men are knocked out with Brogue Kicks. Sheamus then lands White Noise on Lesnar, but Rollins breaks up the three-count. Rollins is on the receiving end of a Brogue Kick, which gives Lesnar enough time to deliver an F-5 to Sheamus.

Lesnar covers Sheamus, but the count is broken by Rollins. Rollins and Lesnar continue to battle outside the ring, giving Sheamus time to recover. Rollins and Sheamus work together and put down Lesnar following multiple shots into the ring post and steel stairs.

That leaves the champion and briefcase holder to battle, and this time Sheamus gets the upper hand. Sheamus is able to escape a Pedigree from Rollins and delivers a Brogue Kick to get the three-count and win the heavyweight championship.

Aftermath

Sheamus arrives at Raw in Kansas City the following evening proclaiming his greatness, telling everyone how he beat not only the champion but battered Brock Lesnar.

Cue Lesnar’s music.

The Beast Incarnate walks down the ramp with Heyman, who tells Sheamus that—like Rollins before him—he never pinned Lesnar to win the championship. He demands his rematch that night.

Cue Rollins’ music.

Rollins tells Heyman and Lesnar that he, as the former champion, deserves a rematch first. Sheamus tells them both that he won’t be defending the title that night, but that the two would have to figure out who’s next before he decides on awarding a rematch.

Cue Triple H’s music.

The Game appears at the top of the ramp and tells all three competitors that Lesnar and Rollins would have a match on Raw that night to determine the No. 1 contender for the WWE Heavyweight Championship. The winner would face Sheamus at SummerSlam for the title.

Later that evening, Triple H tells Rollins that not only is a chance at the title on the line that night, but his place as The Future is also in jeopardy. Rollins doesn’t respond kindly and walks out.

In the final match on Raw, Lesnar easily defeats Rollins, who lies in the ring. Triple H and The Authority head to ringside, and begin to pummel Rollins. Sheamus, who was on commentary during the match, sits back and laughs.

Triple H takes a microphone and announces that not only would Sheamus be facing Brock Lesnar for the WWE Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam, but he would be squaring off against Seth Rollins in a no-holds-barred grudge match that determines Rollins’ fate as a member of The Authority.