The new "Ask the Specialists" Roundtable is the latest spin-off from the "Ask the Torch" feature. CSI led to CSI: New York and CSI: Miami, which is where you'll find the Specialists tackling a daily topic submitted by PWTorch readers to askpwtorch@gmail.com.

Ask the Specialists Roundtable #12

- Question from PWTorch reader Tony: Looking at the current babyface run of Sheamus compared to his initial heel run upon being called to the main roster, how would Sheamus be used best going forward? If he were to turn heel, could you see Sheamus being as intense as his initial run, or will WWE book him as a chickens--- heel?

- "Mr. Europe" Brian Leahy (@CobyHectic responds: As much as they could try to have Sheamus make a monster heel run, the fact of the matter is you could throw a dart at the current roster and hit someone who fits that mould. On the other hand, just because there isn't an abundance of powerhouse 'chickens---' heels, doesn't mean that Sheamus needs to be the man to fill that role.

Rather than shove him in one direction or another, I think WWE would be well served in fleshing out some character for Sheamus at this point and see where that takes things. Big, ginger, pale, and 'fella' is about as far as WWE have gone in the last five years. While I don't love stereotyping of the Irish (for obvious reasons), the least WWE could do is take one aspect of perceived 'Oirishness' and run with that for a while. At most they could give him some background, some depth and put him in situations and story lines where he doesn't come across like a caricature of a caricature.

- - "Instant Reaction" Ben Tucker (@BTuckerTorch) responds: Sheamus would need to be booked as a monster heel, ala his initial run or Marl Henry's 2011 run. He'll be booked based on what WWE needs at the time, and right now they need a credible brute. Sheamus has tons of potential that isn't being tapped.

- "Mr. PPV" Nathan Kyght responds: I think booking Sheamus, should he turn heel, would be much more effective as a Brock Lesnar-style badass. I think the 'cowardly heel' act is often a little over done, and I've always been more of a fan of the heels seeming like legitimate threats. Mark Henry (despite a track record of flip-flopping between heel and face) showed the kind of idea I'm talking about in his feud with John Cena last year.

I think that if they do turn Sheamus (and the should, the character is in major need of an overhaul), presenting him as tough guy and giving him plenty of top wins is the way to go. It always seem more credible when the top heel seems like a dangerous threat rather than a guy who is scared, and seems to luck in to wins. Like the Brogue Kick out of nowhere to Titus O'Neil on Monday's Raw.

- "Common Fan" Jimmy Eaton (@TheCommonFan) responds: Sheamus is definitely capable of being a strong heel, it just depends on how he's used. I think he's done very well as a babyface and it seems like they need those more than heels. But, it really all comes down to how WWE wants to book him. I think he has the ability to do both well, which is a credit to him when he's not trying to be overly goofy a la the dreadful "Call a Fella" crap. I've seen his in-ring skill set improve a bit too since he returned from injury, so I hope whatever they choose to do with him they'll go all in.

- "Mr. TV" Justin James (@Justin_M_James) responds: I think Sheamus is best used as an intense character. It fits his in-ring style, his look, and the whole routine. The jokey-smiley Sheamus just does not work for me, even when he is a babyface (though I do miss those stories about his relatives, in a sad way).

I do think that his initial heel run was superb. Putting Mark Cuban through the table is something I remember years later (also a great use of a guest host). Before that, he had an outstanding feud as a heel with Goldust on the Tuesday night ECW before it became NXT, which featured a lot of hot action and emotional investment from the audience. I think that “intense heel” is the shoe that fits Sheamus best, when WWE has the time and energy to invest in him.

- "Showstopper" Shawn Valentino responds: Thanks for your question, Tony. Sheamus, to put it plainly, has been absolutely horrible as a face these last few years. His sense of humor is atrocious and his personality is so dorky that he almost makes John Cena look cool. There is no real constitution to his character, and he has not really had any memorable feuds.

Sheamus was a pretty good heel when he first came to the company, and I think he would be at his best as a perennial upper mid-card heel that occasionally takes part in main events. Let us just hope that he is not placed in Evolution or anything ridiculous like that. He is not a cool character and never will be, but is used as a good old-fashion Irish tough guy heel with a cowardly side, that would suit him best.

***

[ FYI: The specialists consist of a mix of current PWTorch contributors providing their opinion on today's wrestling scene and modern wrestling history questions, including Shawn Valentino, Michael Moore, Ben Tucker, Jon Mezzera, Justin James, Brian Leahy, Jimmy Eaton, Nathan Kyght, Tony Donofrio, and Mike Roe. ]

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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