We've apparently had entirely different experiences fighting sheik. Pre-patch, Link was probably in the top 10 of characters with the best matchups against Shiek in my experience. Our neutral's far better than hers, we also have a way to build damage and can reliably kill her with a grab, while she has lots of issues killing. We're heavy, so we live longer and gain rage to the point where she can die to a tilt right outside the percentages our dthrow u-air.
You're also blowing the new shieldstun way out of proportion. At best - if Shiek lands a f-air tipper, she only has a 3 frame advantage. At worst, the frame advantage is 0. We just have to be smart about when she f-airs our shield and we'll be fine.
No, just you. I don't know how you somehow never faced a good Sheik but it's a terrible MU. Link is not anywhere close to being a top 10 MU against Sheik either and your idea that Link has a far better neutral than Sheik...?
Sheik's neutral is one of the best if not the best.
Link also has to approach in this MU due to Sheik's needle camping and that's never a good thing considering how slow and laggy his moves are.
Sheik also has the most reliable way to build damage vs Link. Grab -> BF (19%) works 4 - 5 times (fifth depending on DI) from zero percent against Link which is ridiculous but happens due to his weight and fall speed. This is made worse by the fact that she can freely Fair Link on his shield followed by Jab -> Jab to stop whatever option we pick right after. If she spaces her Fairs right she can keep doing so and all you can do is roll. If a Fair does land that's an automatic true combo BF till high percentages where the Sheik can always switch to soft Nair -> BF to kill.
Your belief that Sheik can't kill is outdated by over half a year. Her extensive 50/50 options and Void combos should remove any doubt about her killing abilities.
It's only the bad Sheiks that can't kill.
Being smart about how she Fairs our shield? All you can do is roll or spot dodge. Jumping just gets you hit.
I don't know if you still play competitively but it's astounding how you haven't faced a good Sheik in a local. You should probably find some good Sheiks and get some real experience before you get your opinion shattered in matches that matter.
I once thought Link had a chance and two months ago I'd play it nearly daily against a decent Sheik called Method. As time went on it became more and more impossible to the point I won't ever bother with this MU again.