10 WWE Superstars Who Won By Losing

9. Daniel Bryan (WrestleMania XXVIII)

Steve Austin Bret Hart WrestleMania 13.jpg
WWE.com

Ah, the famous 18 second match.

For the second year in a row, in 2012, Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus was booked for WrestleMania. Their WrestleMania XXVII encounter from 2011 was bumped to the pre-show the day of the event. By the time 2012 rolled around, the two superstars were in much better standing, battling for the World Heavyweight Championship.

WrestleMania XXVIII was supposed to be the crowning achievement for super babyface-hopeful The Great White, Sheamus, as he was to squash Bryan for the title in record time. Fans regurgitated the outcome, however, and booed the new champion when he was announced the winner.

Although the match was no technical classic (at 18 seconds, how could it be?), it served as a rallying point for Daniel Bryan fans. The Miami faithful cheered the former World Heavyweight Champion the next night on RAW, and it led to the biggest push of Bryan's career, culminating 2 years later at WrestleMania XXX.

At WrestleMania XXVIII, Sheamus was the mn who was supposed to be catapulted to immense popularity; instead, it was Bryan's career that changed in 18 seconds.

Contributor
Contributor

A former stuntman for Paramount Pictures, Matt enjoys sports, water skiing, driving fast, the beach, professional wrestling, technology, and scotch. At the same time, whenever possible. Having attended many famous (and infamous) shows including WrestleMania XV, In Your House: Mind Games, and the 1995 King of the Ring, Matt has been a lifelong professional sports and wrestling fan. Matt's been mentioned in numerous wrestling podcasts including the Steve Austin Show: Unleashed, Talk Is Jericho, and Something To Wrestle With Bruce Prichard. As a former countywide performer, Matt has been referred to as Mr. 300 for his amazing accomplishments in the world of amateur bowling. He is also the only man on record to have pitched back-to-back no hitters in the Veterans Stadium Wiffle Ball League of 2003.