Will Cristiano Ronaldo make an appearance at the WWE Crown Jewel 2023 PPV in Riyadh? Since rumors of a link-up between the WWE and the Al Nassr ace have caught the wind – this question has stirred a frenzy among soccer and WWE fans. According to reports, a hefty bag of $50 million remains on the table for the Portuguese five-time Ballon d’Or winner if he decides to grace the event.
Now, just days before his potential guest feature, a bold take on Ronaldo from Sheamus, the former WWE SmackDown veteran, is making waves across the community. Why? Well, as it turns out, two years back, the WWE superstar made some scathing remarks on Ronaldo’s ‘physicality’ – even delisting him from the GOAT debate!
When WWE veteran Sheamus labeled Cristiano Ronaldo as “soft”
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In 2021, when Sheamus sat down for an interview with TNT Sports, he went off on Ronaldo. Despite the Portuguese star’s 6’2″ stature and extremely lean physique, the SmackDown icon refused to acknowledge Ronaldo as a physically dominating soccer player.
Moreover, he went on to bolster his arguments by pointing out the Al Nassr ace’s showmanship. Drawing from this, when the host asked if Ronaldo would be a ‘perfect’ fit for WWE, Sheamus dismissed the notion. His opening statement left no room for ambiguity: “Nah – he [Cristiano Ronaldo] wouldn’t last five seconds in the ring, he’s too soft…”
Sheamus extended his critique by drawing an amusing parallel: “Like those players that go down when the wind blows, or a blade of grass hits their shin – they wouldn’t last two minutes. I mean, he’s got the showmanship – but he’s got no physicality.”
"Is Cristiano Ronaldo one of the greatest players ever? Absolutely not. But he's one of the best of the last decade."
"He wouldn't last five minutes in the ring, he's got the showmanship but no physicality."@WWESheamus is a Liverpool fan and a wind-up merchant 👀😂 pic.twitter.com/k5zql6rM7Y
— WWE on TNT Sports (@wweontnt) October 8, 2021
Sheamus acknowledged Ronaldo’s showmanship and charisma but insisted that these qualities alone wouldn’t be sufficient for CR7 to thrive in WWE. He emphasized the importance of physicality, implying that the Portuguese’s skill set was better suited for soccer. But that’s not all. The wrestler also made bold suggestions about Ronaldo, claiming “he’s all about the camera!”
SmackDown star lauds Ronaldo over his showmanship
According to Sheamus, Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t necessarily one of the greatest players ever, but undoubtedly one of the best of the last decade. However, what sets Ronaldo apart isn’t just his appalling footballing skills; it’s his showmanship. He’s not just about scoring goals; Ronaldo makes those moments unforgettable!
Likewise, Sheamus acknowledged Ronaldo’s penchant for the camera and the theatrical side of the game. He argued, “Is he[Cristiano Ronaldo] one of the greatest players ever? Absolutely not. But he’s one of the best of the last decade… Even when he scores a penalty, he’s all about the camera…”
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He furthered his argument, declaring: “I’m not mocking the guy or hating on him – it’s just, he knows exactly what he’s doing! But who are people going to remember in 20 years’ time? They’re going to remember Ronaldo.”
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While WWE is gearing up for Ronaldo’s possible cameo, the question remains: will he prove Sheamus wrong and demonstrate a different side to his athleticism in the squared circle? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
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