10 Images Showcasing Precise Moments Wrestlers Got Over

1. 18 Seconds

Shawn Michaels Marty Jannetty Barbershop window
WWE.com

As the opening bell of WrestleMania XXVIII's opener sounded, Bryan waved away the challenger to his World Heavyweight Title.

He then requested a good luck kiss from beau and ringside charge AJ Lee. He subsequently turned around, greeted by Sheamus’ match-winning Brogue Kick. That title was lost in just 18 seconds, to the combined shock and joy of the WWE Universe (c). That’s how the script went on paper, at least - but the execution betrayed the concept.

When the initial surprise pop died down, the true reaction was heard. The hardcore fans stationed at ringside did not hold signs aloft bearing the name of the new babyface champion; they instead, almost to a man, held signs celebrating Bryan’s revolutionary “Yes!” catchphrase, and had replied with a resounding “No!” to WWE’s tone deaf approach to the creation of its new star. They had already embraced their own. The rejection bled into the next match; everything Kane and Randy Orton did was met with rallying cries of “Daniel Bryan!”. By 2012, WWE’s famed star-making machine was a spluttering mess of ill-fitting parts. The company could no longer create stars by design - but had done so by accident.

He was over before this ironic debacle of a superhero origin story. He was all the way over when the bell rang.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!