As a child in Ireland, Sheamus’s early memories of WWE are intertwined with the Intercontinental Championship.

He recalls the reign of “Macho Man” Randy Savage during the 1980s, along with various other champions who held the title afterward. He regarded it as “the worker’s title,” since wrestlers frequently defended it rather than just occasionally. When he envisioned his future in WWE, he aspired to earn this prestigious championship someday.

Fast forward to 2025, and after a 15-year career that has included numerous title wins, the Intercontinental Championship is still a goal for the nearly 47-year-old. He is granted one more shot when he faces off against champion Bron Breakker at Saturday Night’s Main Event in San Antonio.

His desire for the title is stronger than ever.

“It’s something I need, and it’s something that I want,” Sheamus expressed to YSL News Sports.

‘Ultimate’ Grand Slam champion

Sheamus’s rapid ascent in WWE is hard to overlook, debuting in 2009 and winning the WWE Championship within just five months. Over the years, he accumulated various accolades. However, the Intercontinental Championship has remained just out of reach for him, despite multiple attempts.

Since 2011, he has challenged for the title on television nine times, and unfortunately, every attempt has ended in defeat. This tally excludes numerous house shows and tournaments he’s participated in, leaving him hopeful that his tenth try will finally bring success.

“I’ve been so close so many times to getting this,” Sheamus noted. “It’s been a focus for over five years.”

He describes his WWE career as “the perfect career backwards,” and he has a chance to create history if he finally secures this coveted title. Achieving this victory would make him the 25th Grand Slam champion in WWE history—already holding the WWE Championship, tag team titles, and a United States title.

However, he would be the second “ultimate” Grand Slam champion, as he has won not just the titles but also the Royal Rumble, Money in the Bank, and King of the Ring. While Edge was the first to achieve this feat, Sheamus likes to point out that Edge won his U.S. title when it was part of WCW. Hence, he considers himself the first to accomplish this solely in WWE.

“I want that distinction as the first ever ultimate Grand Slam champion,” he declared.

‘I thought I was done’

Reaching this milestone would be impressive considering Sheamus nearly ended his wrestling career less than two years ago. Following a match against Edge in August 2023, which was the WWE Hall of Famer’s final bout, Sheamus sustained neck and shoulder injuries that kept him out of action for the remainder of the year. During his recovery, every attempt to practice wrestling moves resulted in painful stingers that left him immobilized for about 15 seconds—an unacceptable condition during a match.

He believed it was “pretty close to being the end” for him, but he recalled discussions with WWE legends who regretted retiring too soon. He aimed to avoid making that same mistake. Fortunately, a critical neck ablation procedure alleviated the stingers, allowing him to return to the ring.

He made his comeback eight months after his last match.

“I thought I was finished, so every time I step into the ring now feels like a blessing,” Sheamus shared. “I got a second chance, and I intend to make the most of it, regardless of how long it lasts.”

Making the most of this opportunity entails defeating Breakker at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Sheamus has faced the young champion before; this upcoming match will be their fifth encounter and the third for the title. Breakker, a competitor Sheamus enjoys fighting, has also been a guest on his Celtic Warrior Workout YouTube series.

“He’s very intense,” Sheamus remarked about Breakker. “He reminds me of a younger version of myself. He has a strong physical presence and possesses many attributes I had when I started.”

“He’s an incredible athlete. It’s like he was genetically designed.”

Defeating Breakker would complete Sheamus’s quest for the Intercontinental Championship, but he has no intentions of stopping there. Feeling in peak form, he wants to embody the champions he admired in his youth by defending the title vigorously—delivering match after match of high-caliber performances.

Sheamus is dedicated to his craft and has no plans to slow down anytime soon. After all, he recently extended his contract in September.

“I might as well just keep going until the wheels fall off,” he stated.