Sheamus and Rusev are set to face off next week on WWE RAW following SummerSlam, as anticipation builds among fans for their showdown. The WWE Universe received an early preview on last night’s episode when Sheamus defeated Grayson Waller but was suddenly attacked by his former United Nations teammate, Rusev, who used a shillelagh as a weapon against him.
The assault left Sheamus with a visible injury, a cut across his ribs, which he later shared on social media. This graphic photograph highlights the severity of the attack and hints at the ongoing tension between the wrestlers in the build-up to their RAW match.
Implications of the Shillelagh Attack on the Upcoming RAW Match
The appearance of the shillelagh during the attack raises questions about the nature of their upcoming contest. Although their match is currently scheduled as a singles bout, the prominent use of the traditional weapon suggests that a stipulation allowing its use might be incorporated. Sheamus captioned his social media post with “Live by the Shillelagh,” signaling that the weapon could influence the fight’s outcome.
Sheamus has relied on the shillelagh as part of his wrestling persona for years, frequently employing it against opponents when rules allow. In contrast, the unprovoked strike from Rusev and the fact that he took possession of Sheamus’s weapon imply that their match could escalate in intensity and violence.
Potential Match Stipulations and Their Impact
Both Sheamus and Rusev are familiar with no disqualification matches, a format often used by WWE for heated rivalries like this one. The injury Sheamus sustained not only adds realism to their feud but also provides motivation for him to respond decisively, possibly leaving Rusev with a lasting reminder as well. It remains uncertain whether WWE will amend their upcoming RAW bout to include a no-disqualification rule, but such a change would align with the storyline’s current trajectory.
