7 Match Star Ratings For WWE WrestleMania 37 - Night 2
4. Riddle Vs. Sheamus - United States Title Match
In what has quite charmingly become the Sheamus staple, he started this match by beating the sh*t out of Riddle and scraping and grinding his opponent in a way that that seems as uncomfortable as it is painful. Sheamus makes it look like a match against him must absolutely suck, but those matches invariably rule.
He's a great pro wrestler. Riddle is too, and it's a shame, but he got trucked here at least, but not after trying to once more coax out Goldberg. Riddle is still on that Jackhammer sh*t. Goldberg is not going to work you, mate.
The payday isn't worth the PR.
This really started to bang rather quickly, even if a few flubbed spots dragged it slightly. Even then, after making the sensible in-the-moment decision to modify the White Noise when he staggered on the top rope, Sheamus had the nous to go back up top and deliver a different high spot. That top-rope knee drop locked brutal, too. This was real pro sh*t. A later pin attempt he made looked weird for a reason - Riddle kicked out to apply a choke in one fluid motion - and this was a bit jarring and contrived. Not enough to ruin the neat near-fall rush that followed, mind.
That finish was just wonderful. Sheamus booted the f*cker flush in his daft, grinning, mid-rotation mug and split his lip. What's especially great is that these finishes tend to look really cool, and that's enough, if the timing is right. Sheamus probably got it wrong, by making Riddle bleed hardway, but blood is cool and it's only Riddle.
A well-deserved title win for the Ace of the ThunderDome.
Star Rating: ★★★½