Sheamus vs Gunther wins 2022 Daily DDT Men’s Match of the Year

Sheamus and Gunther tore down the house at WWE Clash at the Castle to take home the Men’s Match of the Year award.

2022 was packed with excellent matches throughout professional wrestling. If viewers stuck to mainstream promotions like AEW, WWE, and NJPW, or watched other organizations like GCW, AAA, Stardom, and Impact – each had a candidate worth entry in this category. However, after voting across the staff of Daily DDT, it was Sheamus versus Gunther at WWE Clash at the Castle that took home the award for the top match of 2022.

On August 20, Sheamus won a Fatal Five Way match against Happy Corbin, Madcap Moss, Ricochet, and Sami Zayn. The moment his hand was raised, it became clear that Sheamus and Gunther were going to stand across from one another with the Intercontinental Championship on the line. Fans knew this was going to be a hard-hitting affair that was rare in the promotion, and that anticipation increased as the days passed. The build to this match was fantastic. Sheamus and Gunther barely physically, but the intensity was palpable every time they faced off.

Sheamus vs Gunther delivered on every level

Then came the match at Clash at the Castle. First, Giovanni’s surprise return to Imperium caught everyone off guard – finally fixing the odd decision to keep him in NXT when the call-up occurred. Both men received strong ovations from the crowd, representing the respect they had from those throughout Europe.

Gunther and Sheamus delivered on the intensity that fans expected. For nearly twenty minutes, both men battered each other both in and outside the ring. Their chests were red from chops and clubs. Gunther focused on Sheamus’s back, while Sheamus attacked the champion’s arms. Everything about this match looked like it hurt, and with two massive individuals like Sheamus and Gunther going at it, that made everything more believable.

Coming into the match, the expectations were that Gunther would retain the IC championship. He was on a roll with the title and it would be a shock to take the belt from him. Still, the Intercontinental Championship is the one belt that Sheamus has yet to hold in his storied WWE career. He’s already put together a Hall of Fame run but taking that belt would have sealed the deal. Even in 2023, that opportunity still seems like it may be on the horizon, but the moment at this match was to be for Gunther.

It is also impossible to talk about this match without acknowledging the standing ovation that Sheamus received from the crowd. It was a powerful moment that defined his nearly 14-year run with the company.

2022 was filled with great wrestling matches throughout the year. Now that the votes are counted, it is time to recognize Sheamus versus Gunther at WWE Clash at the Castle as the 2022 Men’s Match of the Year.