10 Wrestling PPV Matches Allocated Far Too Little Time
8. Daniel Bryan Vs. Sheamus - WWE WrestleMania XVIII
Match Length: 00:18
Why it was too short: It was a match for the World Heavyweight championship. Never mind Daniel Bryan, who deserved far better than to be jobbed out like a jabroni - the very title it was contested for, already in danger of fading, was effectively euthanised on the night.
By portraying Bryan in such idiotic fashion, running into a single match-winning Brogue Kick, the message was clear: this was no longer a World title. It was a prop with which to create a t-shirt for Sheamus' would-be ascent to lasting main event prominence.
Solace can be taken in the fact that the result backfired spectacularly, which should have been obvious. Sheamus' tactic wasn't exactly heroic; he appeared opportunistic and unsportsmanlike. WWE never would effectively calibrate his character alignment. Between his awful jokes and mischevious approach to matches, it was no wonder that he was mildly over at best.
The narrative that this "made" Bryan is a false one. He was the most over man in the stadium before sharing that fateful kiss with AJ Lee.
Worse still, as we've mentioned, the Rock Vs. Cena Once In A Lifetime main event would have been far better at half its length. There was more than enough scope in which to do the World Heavyweight title, the champion and its challenger justice.