10 Favorite Matches Of The Showstoppa

 

Today is the birthday The GOAT of wrestling in my opinion when we're talking in-ring performer. A guy who I can't recall ever having a bad match even during times when his personal life was turbulent as hell.

As heel you despised him, as a face you cheered for his every accomplishment. Smooth around the ring, a general of a seller. There is a reason he goes by the Main Event, The Show Stopper, The Icon. Ladies and Gentlemen I'm talking about Shawn Michaels.

On my ever changing top 10 list of wrestlers He is the constant prescence at number 1, and I doubt that will change. So I decided to share ten of my favorite Shawn Michaels matches. They may not necessarily be his greatest, but they resonated with me for one reason or another.

10. Shawn Michaels vs British Bulldog-Saturday Nights Main Event '92

At this point in his career Shawn Michaels was not The Showstoppa just yet. He had spilt from his Rockers teammate Marty Jannetty and branched out into his own. 

As The Hearbreak Kid he broke some hearts in this match. Highlighting how well his agility and selling ability worked against more powerful competitors. HBK pulled out the win over Davey Boy Smith to win his first Intercontinental Championship.

9. Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker-Badd Blood

Between previous matches against The Undertaker and other big men such as Kevin Nash, Sid Vicious, and Vader. Shawn Michaels proved his style worked well against bigger stronger guys.

In this match that was the first hell in a cell,  he was a hell of a crash test dummy for The Undertaker. Being thrown around the ring and the cage. This match is more famous for being Kane's introduction to the WWE (then WWF) and the image of blood pooling down HBK's face. 

When it comes to Hell In A Cell matches this is number 2 behind Undertaker and Mankind at King Of The Ring '98.

8. Shawn Michaels vs Triple H-Summerslam 02

Four years after retiring due to a debilitating back injury, as well as overcoming personal demons. Shawn Michaels returned to the ring to face off against his once best friend now foe in Triple H.

Quite simply this match showed how much of a natural Shawn Michaels was. Even under the guise of a unsanctioned match to help cover any ring rust. He didn't need that guise, he excelled and showed everyone HBK was back and better than when he left.

7. Shelton Benjamin vs Shawn Michaels-Raw May 2, 2005

Shelton Benjamin is one of the best pure athletic wrestlers ever. His wrestling ability and athleticism allowed him to essentially float around the ring. Even now in his mid-40's he can still go in the ring with just about anyone out there. The one missing piece to make him a total package was his speaking/character presentation.

I say all that to say, none of that mattered when he faced off against HBK on an edition of RAW. Shelton went toe to toe with Shawn Michaels, showing everyone just how good he really is. In turn Shawn Michaels helped make people stand up and take a little more notice in Shelton. It can debated because Shelton is not a upper echelon "star" in the business, but from a pure wrestling perspective. This was a star making match for Shelton with a lay up by HBK. 

Who can forget this iconic moment in the match?

6. Chris Jericho vs Shawn Michaels-Unforgiven 2008

If pro wrestling was covered in college courses, particularly the art of making a feud that sucks people in. The Shawn Michaels/Chris Jericho feud from 2008 is one ripe for study sessions.

It was a slow burn feud inititaed by claims of deceit, that turned vicious. Including little nuances like Shawn Michaels protégé Lance Cade joining Jericho in his crusade. We can't forget Jericho's accidental punch of Shawn Michael's wife Rebecca at Summerslam that year.

Which led to a unsanctioned fight at Unforgiven. HBK was out for blood, but he played his part well as a man conflicted with emotions of causing harm to Jericho and then feeling sorry then not feeling sorry. 

Their follow up at No Mercy is one to watch as well. This two particularly wrote a book with this feud on how to get people to care.

5. Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart-Wrestlemania 12

These last five matches on the list, highlight why HBK is known as "Mr. Wrestlemania". We start with the match where his boyhood dream was achieved.

A Iron man match between Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart. 60 minutes between two workhorses, I believe this was the first match of this concept. Or maybe the first match  within the world of the WWF.

Either two there were no two better competitor's at that time to pull it off than these two. They did not disappoint and managed to keep the fans attention during the whole match.

Fans rejoiced when Michael's consumed with emotion was able to wrap that WWF championship around his waist.

4. Shawn Michaels vs Kurt Angle-Wrestlemania 21

Dubbed at the time a "Dream Match". Kurt Angle maybe was the best all-around performer on the roster at the time. While Michael's was enjoying his second run just having amazing matches left and right.

This match did not disappoint. It was a technical marvel, down to having fans invested in simple moves like a chokehold. Then there was the selling of the match and the artisty behind that. Look at Michael's when the ankle lock is applied.

A competitive story was told in the ring of two of the best wanting to show who was the best. After the match despite the outcome they left fans wondering who really was the best.

3. Shawn Michaels vs Stone Cold Wrestlemania 14

The beginning of the era of Austin, that kickstarted the already brewing Attitude era into high gear and bought the industry it's most successful boom period ever. Austin was the right man for the job, but he needed a good foil to help him get over the hump.

Who better than Shawn Michaels? Looking back this match is more remembered for being Austin's first championship win and the involvement of Mike Tyson in the match and the promotion of the event period.

One thing often overlooked is Shawn Michaels put on a solid match with Austin with a nagging back injury. There are several moments in the match where he is visibily cringing and in a excruciating amount of pain.

I have lower back issues and there are times when it flares up, taking two steps nearly has me wanting to collapse to the floor. I commend HBK for his efforts to push through with his efforts in this match and lend a hand in helping make Stone Cold Thee Guy. For his commitment to going through with this match, shows just how much of a legend HBK is.

2. Shawn Michaels vs UnderTaker -Wrestlemania 25

I don't think it's been stressed enough how this match was a instant classic, the second it ended. These two veterans and ring generals used everything in their repitore to make this match a must see.

The two have collided many times over the years, but this match was just special. Both men at this point were in their forties with several miles on their bodies. Taker's Wrestlemania streak was on the line and HBK planned to be the man to snap it.

The two put on a 30 minute clinic using mind games, taunts, reversals and anything else they could pull out of their hat.

This brief blurb doesn't do the match any justice, just check it out on Peacock if you haven't seen it.

1. Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon Wrestlemania 

This is the match that made legends out of both Shawn Michaels and Scott Hall.  The first televised Ladder Match on WWF programming featuring two pillars of the next generation in WWF.

These two put on a clinic of how to use  a gimmick match and their bodies to create a compelling match. This match inspired a generation later to take the ladder match to even higher ground. It also showed just how much those two were willing to endure punishment to make names for themselves and steal the show.

Don't sleep on their follow up ladder match at Summerslam '95 by the way.