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HBK'S GREATEST MATCHES

This piece was written last year and is a follow up to the Shawn Michaels Biography that you should have already read.

Prior to completing the Shawn Michaels tribute I asked my good friend Matt Spence to help me go over some of Shawn's best matches so that's what we did, here are Shawn's 15 best matches. What we will do is tell you the date of the match (if the date is available) and the event where it happens so you know where to look if you want to see this match.

Shawn Michaels' Best Matches

Here we will take a look at the fifteen best matches that "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels had over his illustrious career. As you will see, he's been in some of the best matches that have ever taken place in the WWF, as well as in wrestling. We will list the matches, the events, give a brief recap of what went down, and assign a rating, based on Dave Meltzer's definition of how to rate a match. Matt's comments are in regular font, mine appear in italics.

Please note that two matches that are not on this list are against Bret Hart. The first one I am referring to is the Ironman Match from WrestleMania 12, it's not on because it lasted 60 minutes and featured about 20 minutes of rest spots which meant that the match did not make the top 15. The other match that is not on, that I know you are all aware of, is their Survivor Series '97 match. That match was of course the one where Bret Hart was screwed out of the WWF title and because of the screwed up finish that one didn't make the list. There are another good 15 matches that aren't on here, it just shows that HBK was able to work with anybody and put on a great show.

We will count down the top 15 now, hope you enjoy.

15. Shawn Michaels vs. Steve Austin – WrestleMania XIV As it stands right now, this match will go down as the last match that Shawn Michaels will have ever had. Fighting through severe back pain, HBK and Stone Cold had a damn good one, which will surely go down as one of the WWF's most memorable matches ever. With Mike Tyson as the referee, Michaels proved those who said he was unwilling to do clean jobs wrong, by losing the WWF World title to Steve Austin, dawning a new era in the federation and bringing the end to another. Rating: ***3/4

It's a shame that this was the first and last time that these two amazing wrestlers would hook up with the title on the line. The electricity for this match was unbelievable with a certified nutcase Mike Tyson outside the ring it was a situation where sparks would fly. Shawn passed the torch to Austin in this one and so far Austin has never looked back. Date of match: March 29, 1998 at WrestleMania XIV.

14. Shawn Michaels vs. Diesel – WrestleMania XI Prior to this match, Michaels promised the performance of a lifetime, which led some fans to be disappointed with this match. However, that surely shouldn't have been the case, as it was an extremely good match. One of the things that always made Michaels great was his ability to make bad workers look very good. This match is one of those instances. Rating: ***3/4

Matt said it best; Shawn has the ability to make a bad worker look good and it this case that's what happened. The night after this match Shawn was powerbombed repeatedly by his "bodyguard" Sid, building up their feud to make another bad worker look good. I remember this one due to the fact that Jenny McCarthy and Pamela Anderson were there. Date: April 2, 1995 at WrestleMania XI.

13. Shawn Michaels vs. Owen Hart – IYH: 6 This was the match that Michaels had to win in order to go on to face Bret Hart at WrestleMania XII. Several months earlier, Owen had knocked Michaels "unconscious" with an enziguri and Michaels got his revenge here, after returning to the ring just a month earlier at the Royal Rumble, which he won. It was pretty obvious that Michaels would go on to win the match, but it was still an excellent match between two great competitors. Rating: ****

Owen was a great worker, some even consider him to be better than Bret and on this night that's definitely what it looked like. This was a stepping stone for Shawn, it ended the feud with Owen and started the feud with Bret. Date: February 18, 1996 at the In Your House VI PPV.

12. Shawn Michaels vs. Davey Boy Smith – One Night Only This match is from the United Kingdom PPV from September '97. Just an awesome match, with incredible heat in Davey Boy's native land. A great wrestling match, with the crowd ending up being extremely upset at the fact that Davey Boy lost the European title to Michaels in Europe. Although he was a grand slam champion previously, before the European title was invented, Michaels became a grand slam champion again in this match. Rating: ****

I had this match higher than where Matt put it, probably because Shawn went into the Bulldog's country where it was expected that Smith would win and Shawn came out victorious coming out the winner and a big time heel. It is believed that Bulldog lost due to the fact that McMahon had problems with Bret Hart due to the fact that Bret was being courted by WCW. This was a way of punishing the Bulldog and pissing Hart off by giving Michaels a title. Top notch effort by both men, just excellent. Date: September 20, 1997 at the "One Night Only" PPV.

11. Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart – Survivor Series '92 This match was something that you hardly ever see. At the time, Michaels was a young midcarder, who had recently won his first Intercontinental title. Bret Hart had just made the transition to main eventer, and was the newly crowned World champion. The two worked an excellent match, with very good heat and psychology. It was a good scientific match up, and Bret got the clean win with the Sharpshooter. It would be more than three years before Shawn finally won the World title. Rating: ****

I watched this match not too long ago and found it to be done perfectly. A lot of people forget this match, the thinking was that Bret never beat Shawn on a PPV but it happened on this night. Date: November 25, 1992 at Survivor Series.

10. Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart – House Show The match I'm referring to here is from a house show in 1992, during Bret's IC title reign, and it was a ladder match. I wouldn't put a regular house show match on this list, but this match was released on video and was on both Coliseum Video's "Smack 'Em Whack 'Em" tape and "The WWF's Most Unusual Matches" tape. Because it was from a house show, both men did work a little light and didn't put on as good of a match as they could've, but it was still an excellent match. Rating: ****1/4

I've never seen this match but if Matt praises it then I'll be sure to get my hands on it at some point. Matt seems to like ladders a lot, don't you think?

9. Shawn Michaels vs. Vader – Summer Slam '96 This match came during Michaels' inaugural title reign, which was arguably the greatest WWF World title reign ever. At the time, with Bret Hart "retired", Vader seemed to be the only realistic threat to Michaels title. However, Michaels got the win in this one, after the match was restarted twice. Michaels was in classic form, bumping all over the place, even taking a Vader powerbomb on the floor. Both men kicked out of each other's finishers before Michaels got the win following a moonsault. A fantastic match. Rating: ****1/4

I'd have to say this was Vader's best match in the United States although vs. Flair at Starrcade '93 was also fantastic. The hype for this match was unbelievable. Vader was considered to be unbeatable because he ran over everyone after debuting in the WWF. A month earlier he pinned Shawn in a six man tag with a Vader splash so at the time everybody thought there was no way Shawn could win. Shawn was giving up over 200lbs in this match but came out still the champion. Date: August 18, 1996 at Summerslam.

8. Shawn Michaels vs. Davey Boy Smith – King of the Ring '96 Yet another great match from Michaels' inaugural World title reign. This was a superb match, with great wrestling and excellent heat. Every aspect of this match was excellent, with flawless transitions, timing, and great psychology. Some great spots in this one, too, with Michaels taking Davey Boy out of the ring with the flying headscissors, then hitting a hurricanrana on the outside. Rating: ****1/2

King of the Ring 1996 was the year that Austin 3:16 was born so this match is often overlooked. This feud was building for about two months so this put a closure on that with Shawn getting over in the end. Date: June 23, 1996 at the King of the Ring.

7. Shawn Michaels vs. Jeff Jarrett – IYH: 2 This match was in the month prior to Michaels' famed second ladder match with Razor Ramon. Michaels and Jarrett clashed with the Intercontinental title on the line, and Michaels retained the strap. This was an excellent match, with great wrestling, very good psychology, and great heat, back when Jeff Jarrett could get over. Rating: ****1/2

I have to admit that Double J was my favorite wrestler at the time of this match. He was so annoying how he spelled out his name all the time and everybody hated him so much that I had tremendous respect for him. Shawn walked in as a huge fan favorite, it was unbelievable to see how over he was in this one. Shawn won the title in this match, as Jeff was the champ at the time in a match featuring two up and comers. This might have been Jarrett's best match. Date: July 23, 1995 at In Your House #2.

6. The Rockers vs. The Orient Express – Royal Rumble '91 This match came during the time when the WWF was exploiting the Persian Gulf war, so any foreigners were incredibly over as heels. While many people feel the WWF's use of a war to draw heat was wrong, it led to this match having absolutely incredible heat. And with that heat, you had an absolutely excellent wrestling match all the way through. Roddy Piper's commentating was great, too, as he went ballistic when Michaels hit a moonsault. There were some great spots in this one, too, which has to be expected with these two teams. The best WWF tag team match ever, and Michaels was the main reason why. Rating: ****1/2

WOW, this match was absolutely amazing. As I said in the bio, this was probably Shawn's breakthrough match. Matt said it all, probably the greatest WWF tag match ever. Date: January 19, 1991

5. Shawn Michaels vs. Diesel – IYH: Good Friends, Better Enemies This match was the no holds barred match, which was Kevin Nash's last appearance on WWF television. It remains Nash's best match ever. This match was the forerunner to the WWF's new "hardcore" edge, and a part of Michaels' inaugural World title reign as well. This was an absolutely great brawl, with very good psychology. Michaels took a powerbomb through a ringside table, and Mad Dog Vachon's wooden leg came into play as well. An awesome match, which Michaels won, of course. Rating: ****3/4

Two good things happened in this match, the first being that it was the last match for Big Lazy in the WWF and as Matt pointed out it marked the start to WWF "hardcore" attitude. I remember Diesel saying how he would get McMahon in this match, we figured it would be by him attacking Vince at his announce position but instead he attacked Vince by powerbombing Shawn through the announce table, it was an unbelievable move even by today's standards. Date: April 28, 1996 at In Your House #7.

4. Shawn Michaels vs. Mankind – IYH: Mind Games This match was an absolutely incredible brawl, with great heat, excellent psychology, and excellent pacing. Both men were completely on top of their respects "games" and it led to a practically flawless brawl. The match saw some great bumps taken by both men, as well, with the crown jewel being Mankind using a backdrop suplex on Michaels from the top rope through a ringside table. Yet another great match from Michaels' inaugural World title reign (sound repetitive yet). The finish to this match was ridiculous, with Vader making an uncalled for run-in, which probably prevents this match from being listed as being any higher. Rating: *****

Doesn't the idea of these two getting into the ring again get your adrenaline running? This match was good, I think Shawn had better matches but once again he went through a table so that adds a lot to the match. I guess I didn't like it as much because of the DQ finish but it definitely was entertaining to see. Date: September 22, 1996 at In Your House #10.

3. Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker – IYH: Badd Blood This match is the infamous first Hell in a Cell match, and it was surely a memorable one. This was a great brawl, with very good heat and immense drama, caused in part by Michaels' fantastic blade job. Michaels was in his trademark bump-taking form, and took some brutal spills in this one, including coming off the side of the cage through the ringside table. Just a superb match. Rating: *****

This was probably the most anticipated match I have seen in a long time. Think about it, the first ever Hell in a Cell, Paul Bearer had told us that the Undertaker had a brother who we knew was going to debut but in what capacity we did not know. The match featured HBK & Taker, the winner being the one to face Bret Hart for the title at Survivor Series '97. Shawn did a tremendous blade job, took a 10 foot bump off the cell and we saw Kane debut to bury the Undertaker with a tombstone. I think I've watched this match at least ten times and each time the goosebumps are still there, it was just electric that night. Shawn Michaels did one of the best one man shows (Taker was good too) in this one that I recommend you take a look at to see how great HBK really was. Date: October 5, 1997 at In Your House: Badd Blood.

2. Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon – WrestleMania X This was the classic first ladder match, and was absolutely amazing. Top notch action, heat, psychology, timing, and crazy bumps by Michaels, who carried the match and stole the show. In the United States there has only been one match that was better…. Rating: *****

I had never seen a ladder match prior to this one so I really didn't know what to expect but what I got was a great match. Both men were trying to make a name for themselves, trust me folks this match definitely accomplished that. This was the same card that had the tremendous Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart match that was a part of, in my opinion, maybe the best WrestleMania ever. Date: March 20, 1994 at WrestleMania X.

1. Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon – Summer Slam '95 Simply put, this is the best match to ever take place in the United States. Michaels was in the absolute best form of his career, as was Scott Hall. This match was a heightened version of their first meeting. The heat was amazing, especially for the time, the psychology was top notch, the timing was perfect, and the bumps were even crazier than the first match. Scott Hall suplexing Michaels out of the ring, to the floor below, was an absolutely brutal bump. This match also lasted longer than the first, and the right man won, with Michaels winning the Intercontinental title despite the fact that he was obviously in line for the World title in the near future. An outstanding, exquisite, marvelous, and superb match. As I said, it is simply the greatest match to ever take place in the United States.

I agree with Matt 100% on this one. This really was the greatest match in the United States. When I first saw it I had a tough time believing they could top the first one but I was glad I was wrong because it will go down as the best match that I have ever seen. I think one word can describe this match: Magnificent. Date: August 27, 1995 at Summerslam.

Those are Shawn Michael's 15 greatest matches in the view of Matt Spence and myself. Although Matt originally came up with the list I pretty much agree with the choices, I may have rearranged a couple of spots or two but there's no doubt in my mind that the top three are among the greatest of all time.

If you have any questions, comments, corrections or suggestions then feel free to mail Matt at mspence@email.com or me at wwfjohnc@hotmail.com and we'll be glad to reply to you. I really would like to know what you thought about the bio and match breakdown, please mail me your comments as to what should have been changed, talked about more, etc. and I may do some sort of follow up to this in the future.

Smell ya later,
John C.
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