10 WrestleMania Results That Made Absolutely No Sense

5. Sheamus Defeats Daniel Bryan (WrestleMania XXVIII)

Sheamus Daniel Bryan Wm28
WWE.com

Hindsight is wonderful.

It tells us that Sheamus' 18-second squash of World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania XXVIII was an essential step in the defeated star's 'Mania XXX coronation. The outrage sparked the "Yes!" Movement's rise, and support for Bryan's elevation started soaring. It continued through Team Hell No's popular run, escalated when he went solo again, peaked following the Royal Rumble 2014 catastrophe, and ultimately culminated with one of the most memorable 'Mania victories in history.

... but at the time, Sheamus' win was a big, steaming turd of a booking decision, and one that confounded as much as it enraged.

As Bryan was playing a cowardly heel champion, this was WWE's attempt at promoting Sheamus as an uber-babyface. These daft twats actually thought the Irishman would be cheered for killing their cult hero. Instead, Sheamus' title run flopped spectacularly. His "face" character was a big, detestable bully with few redeeming features, making this more than a case of a few internet fans complaining because their favourite had lost. This was a shambles, an unearned burial, and totally thoughtless.

 
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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.