Sheamus failed to capture the WWE Intercontinental Championship at WWE Clash at the Castle against Gunther, but still received a standing ovation from the crowd for his effort.
The bout between Sheamus and Gunther has been highly praised by fans, critics, and peers, and Sheamus has put himself over for churning out banger, after banger, after banger, after banger, after banger throughout his career and especially over the past few years.
Appearing on WWE After The Bell, Sheamus commented on the match with Gunther.
"They say Rome isn't built in a day and success isn't overnight, it took me 13 years in my WWE career to earn that moment and it was unbelievable. The reception I got when I went out there, I didn't know what way it was going to go. Gunther obviously has a cult following from being NXT UK Champion for so many years, so I didn't know what to expect. It's a moment I'll never forget. It's probably the biggest moment I've had to this point in WWE," he said.
When asked if stealing the show went through his mind, Sheamus replied, "Of course! That's the goal for everybody. if that's not your goal in this business, then what the hell are you doing here? Me and Drew are best mates, but I was going out there to steal the show. That was the goal from day one, once I knew this match was happening. 'I'm stealing the show here, there is no doubt about it.' I went out there against the lad, awesome lad, great wrestler, very aggressive, knows his role, great heel, great opponent. I went out there with no promotion, no mural on the walls, no press conference. I went out there, two weeks for that match we had. The biggest promotion came the SmackDown before. That's all I needed to blow the roof off a 70,000 seat arena. I don't need any of this shit. I don't need a big painting on the wall or press conferences or promotional packages. Give me an arena, 20 minutes in the ring with a formidable opponent, and I'll give you match of the night every single time. Nobody is going to see the brutality, aggression, and passion I bring in that ring. It's taken 14 years, but it doesn't matter how long it's taken because that moment in Cardiff was the moment of my career, one of the biggest moments of my life. If it's taken that long, even better, because I know I've earned every single cheer and part of that experience."
Sheamus will be in the corner of the Brawling Brutes (Butch & Ridge Holland) as they challenge for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles against The Usos on Friday's SmackDown.
Fightful will have live coverage of WWE SmackDown beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Friday.
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