“The Bar” Sheamus and Cesaro were not a fly in the pan decision, despite how it came to be in 2016. Before these two behemoths waged war against each other for the Best-of-Seven series, Sheamus and Cesaro battled for the prestigious United States Championship in 2014.
After a hard-fought victory, the Celtic Warrior successfully defended his United States Championship at WWE Payback. Cesaro became the number-one contender by defeating RVD on the August 25, 2014 episode of Raw.
If you’ve never seen their match at the 2014 Night of Champions pay-per-view, I strongly urge you to go watch it now. It’s definitely one of the best physical and brutal matches without much of a build.
Cesaro played the antagonizing heel to perfection by slapping Sheamus in the face, until The Celtic Warrior blasted him with a Brogue Kick Outta Nowhere to retain his championship.
Fast forward to the April 28, 2016th episode of Smackdown, where Sheamus and Cesaro would clash again for the first time in two years, in a six-man tag team match. It was Sheamus, Rusev, and Alberto Del Rio taking on Sami Zayn, Cesaro, and Kalisto. Their match would end though after Sheamus’s partners walked out, essentially breaking up the faction known as “The League of Nations.”
During the 2016 WWE Draft, The Celtic Warrior would be drafted from Smackdown to Raw and immediately set his sights back on The Swiss Superman. In the next coming weeks, Sheamus and Cesaro would compete in heavy and hard-hitting matches, with Cesaro besting his rival.
On the August 8th episode of Raw, a vengeful Sheamus would cost Cesaro his United States Championship against Rusev.
On the next week’s episode of Raw, the General Manager of Raw Mick Foley announced a huge Best-of-Seven Series between Sheamus and Cesaro with the winner receiving a title shot. Here is the listing of their encounters and winners
Match One: SummerSlam Pre-Show, Winner: Sheamus
Match Two: August 29, 2016, Raw, Winner: Sheamus
Match Three: September 5, 2016, Raw, Winner: Sheamus
Match Four: September 7, 2016, Live Event in London, Winner: Cesaro
Match Five: September 12, 2016, Raw, Winner: Cesaro
Match Six: September 19, 2016, Raw, Winner: Cesaro
Both competitors were tied at 3-3 at this point, so Foley announced that the seventh and final encounter would take place at the 2016 Clash of Champions pay-per-view. Keep in mind that these two powerhouses have already wrestled six times prior to this final encounter.
Sheamus and Cesaro had the WWE Universe on the edge of their seats for the entire match. This was the perfect mixture of methodical dissection and high-octane action. Both competitors utilized everything in their arsenals including their submissions and still were unable to put each other away.
The action spilled outside when Sheamus and Cesaro blasted each other over the barricade and both men were unable to make it to their feet. The match was ruled a no contest, and man the crowd was irate. Of course, the very next night on Raw, Foley would declare that since both competitors didn’t lose they would be getting a title shot…a Raw Tag Team Championship Match.
I remember scratching my head at this ridiculous decision, but after rewatching their fantastic match at Night of Champions, I realized why WWE did this. Some times in life, you find that unmatched chemistry from an opponent and those two individuals can make a truly dominant team.
Sheamus and Cesaro defeated the longest-reigning Tag Team Champions in WWE history The New Day at the 2016 Roadblock pay-per-view. The Bar has become Four-Time Raw Tag Team Champions, and One-Time SmackDown Live Tag Team Champions. Sheamus and Cesaro were an incredible hard-hitting tag team, and if you think it was a last-minute decision you’re dead wrong!
