(Note: I further analyze this move by breaking down its steps in this article)
I love this move that is uniquely Sheamus’ (that I’ve seen so far). Wrestling Arsenal has a superb article about everything that makes it so great. It immobilizes the victim and humiliates him by putting his body on display like a trophy (hence his label “Trophy Hold,” much better than its official name “Beats of the Bodhrán”). I would argue the move takes it further to distort and emasculate said trophy. By forcing the upper body forward to the spotlight, the naturally ripped pecs and abs of a worked out athlete are stretched flat. Just check out these comparing pics of Randy Orton:
De-faced and de-formed, is this just some random jobber??
Certainly not anything like this Randy!
Sure, Randy still has some definition as any A-list frat wrestler does, but it’s now barely discernible, especially the distinct pec cleavage dividing two formerly massive chest muscles. The Celtic Warrior’s huge arm, in addition to totally controlling the head (and thus the body), also masks the face of the opponent. Without a face, the victim’s body looks like teenage boy in the beginning stages of puberty — significantly less powerful and more helpless than the masculine muscular wrestler he’s supposed to be.
Here are three of my favorite victims:
1) Big Dick Barrett
See full animated GIF story here
Note: view on web (not mobile) to see captions
The big Englishman former bare-knuckle fighter has always been a presence physically at 6’7″ with massive everything: arms, pecs, thighs. As a predominant heel, it’s a joy to see him dish out punishment, especially coming from his NXT rookie arrogant background. Which makes it that much more satisfying to see the tables turned on his voluptuously muscular body. The Celtic Warrior easily ties up the stud’s big guns on the ropes and Big Dick Barrett is helpless like a little girl, shaking his head in fear as to what’s to come.
2) Cody Rhodes
See full animated GIF story here
Note: view on web (not mobile) to see captions
Cody has got to be one of the smallest wrestlers in the WWE in the standard trunks/knee pads/boots-only getup. No slouch at 6’2″ though his baby face makes his body seem all the more young and supple. When Sheamus got to have his way with the little kid, he gleefully relished the moment with Cody. He took extra time to display Cody’s nubile body. You can also see the crazy fervor as he becomes more manic and brutal in clubbing. The contrast of the two bodies heightens eroticism as well. The Celtic Warrior is a massive muscle machine with pale white skin. Cody looks all the more smaller, his white jobber trunks contrasting his beauty-tanned skin, which seems all the more ridiculous in a wrestling match. Sheamus seemingly laughs at Cody’s metrosexual focus on his looks just by dominating him with his ivory white, warrior-esque build as it has no place in the rough wrestling ring.
3) Batista
See full animated GIF story here
Note: view on web (not mobile) to see captions
Batista was always a force to be reckoned with, a real man’s man. He had incredible musculature and an intensity in the ring unmatched. Like Big Dick Barrett, it was a pleasure to watch him dominate all those who would stand in his way, small or big. I never thought I’d get pleasure seeing the brutal Animal get tamed, but the Great White just amplifies everyone’s sexy in this move as it displays their vulnerability so well. A big part of this is that Sheamus’ skin tone is so unique it contrasts with all his victims, simultaneously magnifying his dominance and diminishing their masculinity. Batista’s many once-badass tattoos now seem frivolous and his well-muscled front upper body is almost as flat as a surfboard. You didn’t think you could just step immediately back into main card status after deciding to leave the company four years ago did you Batista?
Mascular Men 