10 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Star Ratings Dave Meltzer Got Wrong
6. Sheamus Vs. Daniel Bryan - WWE Extreme Rules 2012
Actual Rating: ****, Revised Rating: *****
The 2 out of 3 falls match, by definition, is a suspension of disbelief killer. Almost invariably, the first and second falls are shared. Consequently, there is little drama in the latter. More often than not, fans are taken out of the action and left waiting for the inevitable third act.
A rare example in modern WWE of a stipulation matching the wider storyline perfectly, Bryan ingeniously circumvents this contrivance by intentionally getting himself disqualified in the first fall by pummelling his larger opponent's left shoulder relentlessly, ignoring the referee's five count to get himself intentionally disqualified. From there, he makes Sheamus pass out in the Yes! Lock, grinning in smug triumph - this, from a supposed "good little hand" with little charisma - before Sheamus expertly recalls their infamous WrestleMania XXVIII encounter. Playing possum, he smashes Bryan with the Brogue Kick for a breathtaking near fall, following which the finishing sequence is initiated. Masterfully selling his decimated arm, Sheamus nonetheless guts it out to successfully defend the then-prestigious World Heavyweight title at the 22:54 mark.
For one of the cleverest and most realistic uses of strategy ever seen in WWE, this bout deserves the full five stars.