WrestleMania 28: Why Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus Was a Major Missed Opportunity

WWE's roster boasts one of the greatest wrestlers in the world today in Daniel Bryan. He and Sheamus could have had a monumental, show-stealing match, but were never given the chance.

Turning Bryan into this generation's Honky Tonk Man was a mistake.

WrestleMania 28's opening match could have been about exposing Bryan to a larger audience, about continuing to build the momentum he'd built over the past few months, about showcasing superb wrestling talent.   

Now he just looks like a chump who shouldn't have carried the World Heavyweight Title in the first place.

The Miami crowd had "Yes!" signs at the ready in support of the American Dragon and chanted his name as the night continued.

Clearly, 18 seconds was not nearly enough of Bryan for them.

Sheamus vs. Bryan could have competed with the Hell in a Cell, Rock-Cena and Jericho-Punk as the best match on the card. Instead, it left the audience stunned and wondering how to wash that sour taste from their mouth.

Why couldn't WWE have shortened the Divas match or removed those pre-entrance concerts for Rock vs. Cena to give us the potential explosive chemistry of Sheamus and Bryan?

Why would wrestling fans want to see more of Mama Clay's bridge club than two of WWE's best talents?

WWE went for shock value.

Of course it was stunning to see the title change hands so quickly. 

But the excitement from that moment will fade quickly. Pitting challenger and competitor in a lengthier match could have added another gem to the WrestleMania pantheon of classic matches. 

Perhaps they're thinking that Bryan's embarrassing loss will lead to an easy-to-write feud. 

While it does lend itself to that, it makes Bryan look weak. 

A long feud could have just as easily begun with a classic match we could remember forever.