5. Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan - Best Two-Out-Of-Three Falls
One of the best matches in Extreme Rules history occurred in 2012 as Sheamus and Daniel Bryan were finally allowed the opportunity to show an international audience what they were capable of when given proper time and stage to perform on. Just weeks after seeing what should have been a show-stealing match at WrestleMania 28 get cut down to 18 seconds, they met in a Best Two-Out-Of-Three Falls match with the World Heavyweight Championship on the line. Hungry and still fuming after being shortchanged, the hard-hitting, aggressive workers delivered flawless performances in a Match of the Year candidate. The story told was brilliant as Bryan purposely got himself disqualified by ignoring the referee's count and getting himself disqualified in the first fall, unleashing a series of kicks to the injured left arm of Sheamus. Moments after the bell rang to signal the beginning of the second fall, Bryan locked in the Yes Lock and scored a submission victory after Sheamus passed out unconscious. Medics checked on Sheamus, who recovered and stunned Bryan with the Brogue Kick. After a few more minutes of spirited action, Sheamus landed a second Brogue Kick and scored a pinfall in the third and deciding fall. The Chicago crowd clearly would have rather have seen Bryan leave with the title but Sheamus earned their respect thanks to a stellar performance on his part. It was the Celtic Warrior's coming out party and the first of many great wrestling matches from the World Heavyweight champion in 2012.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
