Rate The Gimmick: Sheamus - King / Irish Stereotype

[Ferbian]

Now, I figured it was time to let this thread series make a return. And for those of you who doesn't know what this is about, well it's simple, I find a gimmick for you guys to rate between 1 to 10. 1 being awful, 10 being awesome, or whatever you want to call it.

This week we'll look into a guy, who's current gimmick hasn't been around for long, yet it still plays back a little over his previous "gimmick" so to say, if you can't simply call the current one an addition to his "former" gimmick.

Either way, here he is.

Yes, that's right. Ronald McDonald.. Wait.. I mean Sheamus (O'Shaunessy if you want to be specific).

This guy debuted a little less than 2 years ago, looking pale, yet mean like hell with the Triple H-ish kind of build if you will. He went on to dominate on ECW, entering a mini feud with Golddust who made him look like pretty good until he was bumped up to RAW.

Sheamus has feuded with a decent handful of guys, all around from the cream of the crop in Triple H and John Cena, to feuding with Randy Orton and John Morrison. All of these feuds has been of pretty good quality if you ask me, and they have gone on to prove why Sheamus has indeed deserved to be where he is at today.

He's a 2 times WWE champion, holding the title within his rookie WWE year, as well as he's a King of the Ring winner. Pretty impressive resume for someone who hasn't been around for very long.

Sheamus has been dominant in his past 2 years, while still proven to be someone you can defeat.

Either way, there's a lot that could be said about Sheamus, but that's what I'm gonna leave for you guys to do. Do you think this gimmick is worthy of a 1 because it absolutely sucks? Or do you think it's worth a 10 because it's absolutely amazing? You tell me.

 

[kronikfish666]

I for one like Sheamus, he's a little hard on the eyes being all white but hey oh well. The WWE is going to need a top heel like this guy to replace the one and only HHH. I see so much promise from this guy being the companies top heel

So that being said I rate him a 10

 

[Raven]

I give him an 8. I like that WWE didnt use the "irish" thing to be his actual gimmick, he just happended to be a guy who was irish. His promos are good, he sometimes brings up old irish tales,which is pretty cool. Then WWE made him the king of the ring, and instead of going all royal(king booker) and instead of not doing anything (william regal) they did a good job with his "Irish Fighting king". I love it,the big stick(i think its a shelaighle,SP?) and that cape, and the crown. its just all great.

All in all i say a 10 out of 10

 

[Diablosbomb]

Hardcore Inc, do you give him an 8 or a 10? Anyway, I think his gimmick is pretty good. He didn't go crazy with the king in the ring and completely change, like the OP said, it is just an extension of his original gimmick. He makes for a good heel and I like the attitude of I'm gonna beat you up because I can, then when the going gets tough in the match he kinda runs away. I'd say he is an 8 of 10. Like anyone, he could use improvement, but he is still golden.

 

[Hulk Hogan's Brother]

I'll give the gimmick a 7/10. Not that there is anything wrong with Sheamus' performance, I just think it's not much of a gimmick. I mean sure he is Irish and he won the KOTR and so he is known as the Irish King and the Celtic Warrior among other things but these are just fancy nicknames more than anything else. He is merely a badass heel who talks himself up to be a tough guy but is actually nothing but a bully who only attacks guys who are smaller than him but cowers before those who are stronger than him. As a gimmick alone it's not something revolutionary or pathbreaking.

I would point out though that the rating is for the gimmick only. I think Sheamus plays his part very well but the purpose of the thread was to rate the gimmick, not the wrestler who is playing it.

 

[FitFinlay4Life]

Overall I'd give SOS's gimmick a 6. His Irishness is fantastic (provided it's affectionate, stereotyping can be great - after all there is always reasons behind deemed characteristics) - red headed and white as a ski jump and the terms he uses fella. The Cú Chulainn undertones to his character are outstanding and if he was to play a fearless Celt then my rating would rise. Where it has fallen down though is on two points:-
1) At several points since his inception he has come across as being cowardly which really goes against the traits of a Celtic Warrior.
2) Since he has taken the KotR title he has taken to carry around a shillelagh which plagiarizes another guy (whose name I just can't think off at the moment) and this particular guy's character is more modern day lager lout/ soccer hooligan street fighting man than mythological clans man.

Can't wait to see Jack-Hammers take on this and Ferb's, any chance of a 1 -10 poll scale in future posts to see the general consensus of how over a star is as many people will read and not post but might stick in a vote if the option is there.

 

[The_Gene_Genie]

I really like the Sheamus gimmick. He's being allowed to be who he actually is, an Irishman, and I think it has been well documented that gimmicks work best when they are purely an extension of an individuals real life persona. It allows him to deliver a more natural and comfortable promo. His Irish brogue is often comical, and he delivers it as such whilst maintaining his character of a tough, street fighting Dubliner.

I've never liked the King of the Ring gimmick. Although there have been some successful uses of it in the past. I think the King of the Ring should be used similarily as the Money in the Bank and Royal Rumble matches; to determine the next contender for one of the main event titles. They should drop the whole royalty angles that often derive from this tournament. Stone Cold Steve Austin when he won the tournament never received a coronation and look what it did for his career not taking the regal route. I'll just look at it as an opportunity for Sheamus to develop himself further, but I hope it doesn't last too long and that he resumes business as usual in the main event title picture.

Edit: Forgot to give him a score...I'll go for an 8 because I like him a lot, but there's always room for improvement.

 

[vampirek]

I really like the Sheamus gimmick. He's being allowed to be who he actually is, an Irishman, and I think it has been well documented that gimmicks work best when they are purely an extension of an individuals real life persona. It allows him to deliver a more natural and comfortable promo. His Irish brogue is often comical, and he delivers it as such whilst maintaining his character of a tough, street fighting Dubliner.

I've never liked the King of the Ring gimmick. Although there have been some successful uses of it in the past. I think the King of the Ring should be used similarily as the Money in the Bank and Royal Rumble matches; to determine the next contender for one of the main event titles. They should drop the whole royalty angles that often derive from this tournament. Stone Cold Steve Austin when he won the tournament never received a coronation and look what it did for his career not taking the regal route. I'll just look at it as an opportunity for Sheamus to develop himself further, but I hope it doesn't last too long and that he resumes business as usual in the main event title picture.

Edit: Forgot to give him a score...I'll go for an 8 because I like him a lot, but there's always room for improvement.

Actually incorrect, Austin received his coronation straight after the match which led to the famous 'Austin 3:16 just whipped your ass' and referring the ring to his ring with 'get that piece of trash out of my ring'.

In terms of Sheamus, the King of the Ring suits his gimmick and ongoing story line. A King in the middle ages was always the strongest warrior/knight. Being that his former gimmick was the Celtic Warrior, its a step up to be the Celtic King.
It allows Sheamus to stay relevant even when he is actually doing very little waiting for HHH to return. Sheamus is a mix of HHH and Finlay, in terms of gimmick. Sheamus isn't afraid of getting into a fight, a typical irish stereotype but is clever with his attacks like HHH is. I don't know where they will take his character after this current King gimmick is finished but can rely on his irish stereotype to still be a threat to the champion.

His gimmick is a 7.

On a side matter:
One thing I can't stand about when people talk about Sheamus is the racism he receives, why on earth is it a matter he is pale white? The WWE themselves are bad at that, if they called someone like R-Truth and called him a nickname based on skin colour, it'll be pulled off air. I don't see why he needs to be tanned or any other skin colour to get over, thats his skin colour and that should be it.

 

[FitFinlay4Life]

On a side matter:
One thing I can't stand about when people talk about Sheamus is the racism he receives, why on earth is it a matter he is pale white? The WWE themselves are bad at that, if they called someone like R-Truth and called him a nickname based on skin colour, it'll be pulled off air. I don't see why he needs to be tanned or any other skin colour to get over, thats his skin colour and that should be it.

As someone from the emerald isle Sheamus's gimmick does hold water - in fact I'd find it funny if they sent him to a sunny climate for a couple weeks and have him come back red as bloody steak and freckled as a pre puberty Lohan except it would detract from his character long term. I think your being over PC here, there is no racism in caucasians making fun of one another on physical traits. Making fun of SOS's skin pigmentation is no different than making fun of Rey Mysterio or the Great Khali's height. I don't think you'll find a single Emerald Isle resident in the IWC crying racism here.

 

[The_Gene_Genie]

Actually incorrect, Austin received his coronation straight after the match which led to the famous 'Austin 3:16 just whipped your ass' and referring the ring to his ring with 'get that piece of trash out of my ring'.

Actually flower, I think you'll find I am correct. A coronation is a ceremony which marks the investiture of a monarch or their consort with regal power, specifically involving the placement of a crown upon his or her head. Although the term coronation was used at the end of the tournament, Stone Cold was never physically crowned. Period.

Interesting question you raise about the skin colour thing though. His appearance doesn't matter at all, but it does add to his character and makes him stand out from the rest. However, as FitFinlay4Life has correctly pointed out it is no different to focussing on someone's height. The same goes for age, sex or ethnicity. The cartoon world of wrestling has been doing it for years and in my eyes it is no different to tackling difficult subjects within a television soap or drama, only delivered slightly more tongue in cheek.

Back on topic, I originally said that I wasn't a fan of the King gimmick, but I do like how they have kept it character specific for Sheamus rather than just plopping a random crown on his noggin. He's still an 8.

 

[Dzone]

Yes, that's right. Ronald McDonald.. Wait.. I mean Sheamus (O'Shaunessy if you want to be specific).

Man I couldn't stop laughing

Anyways I would want to give his gimmick maybe a 9/10 because it is a unique gimmick and I like how it allows him to run through the mid card with very short matches (because of his build etc you don't expect Morrison to run through matches like a machine ¬.¬).

However the only reason I'd give it a 6-7 is because his attire sucks, his staff thing looks, literally speaking, like crap on a stick and his plastic head-wear is a pathetic excuse of a crown. On top of that I think he needs more of a "Spartan" gimmick where he's a medival Irishman who just beats the living poop out of people. With his current gimmick he doesn't come out... dunno how to put this... "beast" enough **.

Don't know how to explain my point tbh... hope everyone gets it xD

 

[Minnesota Connection]

3.

It makes no sense. He's "King Sheamus" from Ireland. Surprised no ones made the reference to the fact that Irishmen, do not like England. (Not at all why I hate his gimmick and/or him himself.) Just making a point.

Physically, he looks like Powder.. Just a an eye sore to look at. I hate his stupid accent and have found myself repeatedly asking myself, why do I watch this. His promos DO NOT reek of awesomeness, and I happen to think he has no direction in them at all. Half the time I am doing a double take, trying to understand what the hell he just said.

I hate his in-ring performances and find myself asking, of all the wrestlers in the world, what makes Sheamus special.

Here's the answer.

Nothing at all.

 

[Mr. Artistic guy]

I'm going to score him a SIX. Now thing is I like the gimmick, the hair and pale skin and the lineage of royalty. The thing is the gimmick hasn't come into play for Sheamus much at all, it's not really the thing that got him where he is right now. Sheamus has got where he is because of this:

"Sheamus has been dominant in his past 2 years, while still proven to be someone you can defeat."

This right here is very useful. You could consider it a part of his gimmick, he's Irish and he loves to fight just like Finlay, but in reality it's more of an in-ring style. Because Sheamus has strictly adhered to the ideal of being a big tough bastard who can still lose (apart from that one little running from Nexus backstage slip), he has got over successfully as a monster heel so even though both of his title reigns began with a weak title win, you still believe he is a guy who could beat Cena or Orton on his night.

How much his gimmick has been harnessed to the amount it could have been is questionable. For me personally it was the fact he was successfully booked as a tough guy which nobody has been in a long time except for Ezekiel Jackson. I think the fact nobody else on the horizon looked legitimate to be able to dethrone Cena was what got him over, bot his gimmick but that's just me. Therefore I can't credit his gimmick too much and I gave it only a six.

 

[FitFinlay4Life]

3.

It makes no sense. He's "King Sheamus" from Ireland. Surprised no ones made the reference to the fact that Irishmen, do not like England. (Not at all why I hate his gimmick and/or him himself.) Just making a point.

Ireland has had Kings and Queens of their own.

Physically, he looks like Powder.. Just a an eye sore to look at. I hate his stupid accent and have found myself repeatedly asking myself, why do I watch this. His promos DO NOT reek of awesomeness, and I happen to think he has no direction in them at all. Half the time I am doing a double take, trying to understand what the hell he just said.

Erm, he's IRISH what are you looking - a Kevin Costner Robin Hood English accent? And I take exception to you slagging off the accent of my emerald isle compatriot, yah?

I hate his in-ring performances and find myself asking, of all the wrestlers in the world, what makes Sheamus special.

Here's the answer.

Nothing at all.

What makes him special, ya sure! He's not a sun bed worshipping American! If you don't like SOS the wrestler, fine but this thread asks you to rate his gimmick and you've indirectly highlighted everything that is good about it. Not liking it is your personal choice, you betcha!

 

[Minnesota Connection]

Ireland has had Kings and Queens of their own.

And?

Erm, he's IRISH what are you looking - a Kevin Costner Robin Hood English accent? And I take exception to you slagging off the accent of my emerald isle compatriot, yah?

His accent is annoying and very intolerable. My opinion. Sue me.

What makes him special, ya sure! He's not a sun bed worshipping American! If you don't like SOS the wrestler, fine but this thread asks you to rate his gimmick and you've indirectly highlighted everything that is good about it. Not liking it is your personal choice, you betcha!

I did rate his gimmick and I gave an explanation why. I don't see why its a mystery to you. He can't cut a promo for the life of him and its hard to get to a gimmick, when you can barely understand/care about anything he says.

I am sorry, I gave my very frank and honest opinion. Just how I feel.

He's a 3 in my book and the only reason he is so high on that list, is because he has the "It" factor by being a heel. He'll never get over as a face. Ever.

 

[TheRealDeal]

7.5/10.. Good Gimmick, Sheamus is allowed to be himself and with him winning KOTR.. His heel run just connects more... As everybody pointed out that the fact that Sheamus's gimmick is not an Irish wreslter makes it more intriguing of what to expect.. His accent's pretty good, I like how somehow he tells tales and likes to pick on fans [happend when he was WWE Champ].. Overall, he is entertaining, has a great entrance music, pretty good on the mic and he can really kick your head off with a brouge kick

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

3.

It makes no sense. He's "King Sheamus" from Ireland. Surprised no ones made the reference to the fact that Irishmen, do not like England. (Not at all why I hate his gimmick and/or him himself.) Just making a point.

England isn't the only country to have had had a monarchy you know, so him being proclaimed "King Sheamus" has nothing to do with any English/Irish tension. You say you're making a point, but I'm not sure what point it is to be honest.

I actually think that since KOTR he's not been as important, and the cape reminds me a bit too much of that Simpsons where Homer gets a moo-moo. When Booker had his King gimmick, he had some subjects to enhance his power. What does Sheamus have? Someone else mentioned it earlier, forgive me for forgetting the name, but as a Celtic Warrior he shouldn't be as cowardly as he has been on occassions, and his disputable title matches didn't do much to solidify his position either.

That being said, I'm a big fan of the guy. His look gets him noticed and makes him standout, so what's the problem with that? He has a very strong moveset and unlike Drew McIntyre, looks like quite a safe worker while also managing to appear physical at the same time.

Overall, I'd say 6.5/10, it would have been higher if WWE didn't seemingly decide not to do anything with him until HHH comes back.

 

[jellmoo]

Sheamus has quickly become on of my favorites. He is an absolute beast, has a very unique look, and is easily up there as one of the best heels on the mic (along with Barrett and Punk).

The King gimmick would be an amazing one for him I think, but I really don't like the way it's been played out. It should have felt special, it should have been a major rub for him. But the booking has been horribly inconsistent. Given the opportunity I think it could have been so much better than it played out.

I'll rate it a 7.5 because I think Sheamus is probably the best heel on Raw. But it should have been higher had they better emphasized the meaning, avoided calling him King Sheamus (it's just tacky) and given him an outfit that doesn't look like it belongs in a high school play.

 

[Tech N9ne]

I give him an 8 so far. But, that has room for improvement. He is still so new to the WWE, that there will be much more that takes place, for it to improve from an 8. He has been very good since his debut and seems like the type of guy that will get better.

I rate his King Gimmick as a 10/10 for gimmicks that would be good for him. But up to this point, he has earned an 8. I think he will have more story lines that will continue to elevate him.

Overall, an 8 from me is a pretty damn good score. But, Sheamus as opposed to many other wrestlers can still make his gimmick even better.

 

[jkenyon81]

i'd give it an 8/10 but right after he got crowned he said "the king is dead! all hail the king!!" in such an awesome way that i give him one more point.. 9/10. keep this one goiing wwe

 

[AK2V8]

I reckon 7. It was pretty good. But I reckon his "irish stereotype" gimmick was the same as Drew McIntyre (Scottish stereotypre) and Santino Marella (Italian stereotype). But I like his "celtic king" gimmick better.