WWE News: Sheamus To Return As A Heel? Could Be Facing Daniel Bryan At WrestleMania 31

WWE superstar Sheamus has been out of action ever since the Survivor Series go-home show in late November, where he was injured during his match with the Big Show. Sheamus was originally supposed to take part in the Team Authority vs. Team Cena match at Survivor Series, but was replaced by Erick Rowan.

Last year at the Royal Rumble, Sheamus made his return from injury as one of the annual surprise entrants. This year, it’s looking like he’ll do the same, but this time, he could be leaving the match as a heel.

Whoever eliminates Daniel Bryan from the Royal Rumble will be the most hated man in the arena on January 25, and could end up being the most hated man in WWE until WrestleMania 31, and it’s likely that that man could be Sheamus.

Last year Daniel Bryan was originally scheduled to face Sheamus at WrestleMania 30. In that scenario, Sheamus would have been a heel. There have been rumors that WWE wants to freshen up Sheamus’ character, and they could go with what was their original plan for last year’s WrestleMania, and have Daniel Bryan take on Sheamus.

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has suggested that WWE turns Sheamus heel, as he believes that Sheamus is tailor-made to be a top bad guy. In Sheamus’ early years as a WWE superstar, he was of WWE’s top heels. However, Sheamus’ appeal quickly faded, and he became a mid-card heel, much like his current babyface run.

With Brock Lesnar likely leaving WWE this coming spring, WWE will be in desperate need of a top heel, and Sheamus could be that guy. There’s a chance that upon Sheamus’ WWE return, he’ll align himself with The Authority, with his goal being to take out Daniel Bryan.

At this point it’s unlikely that WWE fans will accept anything other than Daniel Bryan being in the main-event of WrestleMania, but as of right now, WWE has other plans, and Bryan could be stuck with Sheamus once again.

Back at WrestleMania 28, Daniel Bryan defended his World Heavyweight Championship against Sheamus. Bryan was the heel, Sheamus was the babyface. In a match that was designed to get Sheamus over big, Bryan lost his title in just 18 seconds. However, the plan backfired, and got Daniel Bryan over huge, as the fans turned on Sheamus. Now, it’s likely that the roles will be reversed at WrestleMania 31, and it’s also very likely that the match will last longer than 18 seconds.

[Image via WWE]