Best Matches: Shawn Michaels

Hey guys it’s that time of the week again where I give Wreddit a retrospective list of matches from a certain superstar, over the last couple of weeks I made several lists of Essential Career Matches for wrestlers such as: John Cena, Undertaker, Triple H, Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, Dolph Ziggler, Seth Rollins, CM Punk , AJ Styles and The Miz. This week we’re doing arguably one of the greatest WWE Wrestlers of all time, The Showstopper, The Main Event, Mr. Wrestlemania, The Heart Break Kid – Shawn Michaels. Thanks to everyone that voted him being this weeks list, there will be another poll at the end for next weeks superstar. These collection of matches comes from Dave Meltzer (his matches feature his ratings for matches rated 3 ½ Stars and matches that I believe that are also good too (these matches will be included in honourable mentions). If you have any suggestions for matches that could be included simply privately message me or add a comment on this and I will considerate it. Please read all the list before commenting saying I’ve forgotten a match when it’s already on the Honourable Mentions. Also since a few people have commented on these posts saying 'stop throwing lists at us with no information' so on a few matches I’ve added a little bit of a backstory for new fans/fans of who haven’t seen the matches, some match details do contain spoilers so you have been warned, but really if you’re getting up in arms about a match spoiler from several years ago that’s not my problem. I have also tried to add a link to each match aswell, videos come from either WWE Network, YouTube and Daily Motion. Lastly, and most importantly, I used Meltzer’s ratings as a guide but make sure to make your own opinion (or rating in this case) about the matches. Just cause he gives something a 3, doesn't mean that it isn't a 5 to you! If you do not like this list because I’ve based it off ratings, that is not my problem. Alright, now lets start what will most likely be the biggest list I compile:

1991:

• The Rockers Vs Haku & The Barbarian – Wrestlemania VII – 3 ½*
• The Rockers & The Bushwhackers Vs The Nasty Boys & The Beverly Brothers - Survivor Series 1991 – 3 ½*

1992:

• Shawn Michaels Vs The British Bulldog – Saturday Nights Main Event 14/11/1992 – 3 ½* - Shawn Michaels first ever singles title reign starts with this match, very underrated.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Bret Hart – Survivor Series 1992 – 4 ½* - 5 years before the Infamous Screwjob, these men would put on a great match between each other when they were still quite young and up-and-coming in the business for the WWF Championship.

1993:

• Shawn Michaels Vs Marty Jannetty – Royal Rumble 1993 – 4* - The two former-Rocker members would have plenty of memorable matches with each other this year; but this would be one of their firsts.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Tatanka – Wrestlemania IX – 3 ½*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Marty Jannetty - Raw 17/05/1993 – 4*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Marty Jannetty – Raw 19/07/1993 – 4 ¾* - Whilst making this list this was one of the matches I had never seen before, and I actually watched it to see if it earned the rating it got – and let me tell you it absolutely does; it’s a very fun match and rightfully so their best match with each other.

1994:

• Shawn Michaels Vs Razor Ramon – Wrestlemania X – 5* - The innovators of the ladder match before the Hardy’s/Dudley’s/E&C lot of matches; these two set the standard for ladder matches and helped raise the popularise the Ladder Match.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Razor Ramon – Raw 01/08/1994 – 3 ¾*
• Shawn Michaels & Diesel Vs Razor Ramon & 123 Kid – WWF Action Zone #2 – 3 ¾*

1995:

• Royal Rumble Match – Royal Rumble 1995 – 3 ½* - The first man to enter the Royal Rumble from the #1 position and win it.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Diesel – Wrestlemania XI – 4* - I’ve always thought this match should’ve main event Wrestlemania that year and that Shawn could’ve potentially one the title instead of waiting a year, but it was good to see the team finally battle each other.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Jeff Jarrett – In Your House 2: The Lumberjacks – 4 ½* - This was another match I put on the list that I had to watch because I had never seen it and it was actually really good and probably my favourite Jeff Jarrett match; highly recommend people watch it.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Razor Ramon – Summerslam 1995 – 4 ¾* - This was a rematch of their Wrestlemania 10 match and it lives up to expectations.
• Shawn Michaels, Ahmed Johnson, Sycho Sid & British Bulldog Vs Dean Douglas, Owen Hart, Razor Ramon & Yokozuna – Survivor Series 1995 – 3 ½*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Owen Hart – Raw 20/11/1995 – 3 ¾*

1996:

• Shawn Michaels Vs Owen Hart – In Your House 6: Rage in the Cage – 4*
• Shawn Michaels Vs 123 Kid – Raw 04/03/1996 – 3 ¾*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Bret Hart – Wrestlemania XII – 4 ¼* - “The Boyhood Dreams.. has come true”. Enough said.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Diesel – In Your House 7: Good Friends Better Enemies – 4 ½* - This was Diesel’s (Kevin Nash) last match in WWF before leaving for WCW – and these two men put an absolute war on with each other.
• Shawn Michaels Vs British Bulldog – King of the Ring 1996 – 4 ¼*
• Shawn Michaels, Ahmed Johnson & Sycho Sid Vs Owen Hart, British Bulldog & Vader – In Your House 9: International Incident – 3 ¾*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Vader – Summerslam 1996 – 4* - This match is pretty notorious for this spot but it’s a really fun match; I wish Vader won the championship here and then would go on to have a short reign with the WWF Championship.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Mankind – In Your House 10: Mind Games – 4 ¾* - Fun match, very brutal; highly recommend for all Shawn Michaels & Mick Foley fans.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Sycho Sid – Survivor Series 1996 – 3 ¾*

1997:

• Shawn Michaels & Stone Cold Vs Davey Boy Smith & Owen Hart – Raw 26/05/1997 – 4 ¼*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Stone Cold – King of the Ring 1997 – 4* - This is probably one of my favourite Austin matches, these two work very well with each other, I wish they were to go on to have more matches with each other this year instead of just their match at Wrestlemania 14. Despite the ending the rating for this match is well deserved.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Mankind – Raw 11/08/1997 – 3 ¾*
• Shawn Michaels Vs The Undertaker – In Your House 17: Ground Zero - 3 ¾*
• Shawn Michaels Vs The Undertaker – In Your House 18: Badd Blood – 5* - Shawn Michaels & Undertaker got the honour of having the first Hell in a Cell match with each other. Vince McMahon must’ve had a lot of trust to place these men in this new match type – and they steal the show and even to this day it’s very hard for most Hell in a Cell matches to try and top it. Well-deserved 5 stars.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Bret Hart – Survivor Series 1997 – 3 ¾* - The Montreal Screwjob, I wont say much on this match.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Owen Hart – Raw 29/12/1997 – 3 ½*

1998:

• Shawn Michaels Vs The Undertaker – Royal Rumble 1998 – 3 ½* - One of the Shawn’s last matches before taking 4 years off, and he would defend his WWF Championship against his rival, The Undertaker in a Casket Match. Shawn would actually break his back in this match taking a dive outside the ring/over the casket.

2002:

• Shawn Michaels Vs Triple H – Summerslam 2002 – 4 ¼* - Shawn’s return to WWE saw him face his former best friend, now bitter rival Triple H in a hellacious Street Fight Match.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Triple H Vs Booker T Vs Chris Jericho Vs Rob Van Dam Vs Kane – Survivor Series 2002 – 4 ¼* - Not only is it the first ever Elimination Chamber Match, but it’s also the first time since taking a leave from WWE for 4 years that Shawn Michaels would win a World Championship.

2003:

• Shawn Michaels Vs Chris Jericho – Wrestlemania XIX – 4 ¼* - Shawn Michaels was only going to return for a one match deal, thankfully he stuck around for a few more years so he could put on some of the greatest matches in WWE history. When you think of Wrestlemania and Shawn Michaels they go together like Peanut Butter and Chocolate. This match is up there with one of the best Mania matches of all time.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Ric Flair – Bad Blood 2003 – 3 ½*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Chris Jericho – Raw 21/07/2003 – 3 ¾* - This was a rematch of their Wrestlemania XIX match and doesn’t get enough attention and recognition I believe; very good match.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Randy Orton – Unforgiven 2003 – 3 ½*
• Shawn Michaels, Booker T, Dudley Boys & Rob Van Dam Vs Randy Orton, Christian, Chris Jericho, Mark Henry and Scott Steiner – Survivor Series 2003 – 4 ¼*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Triple H – Raw 29/12/2003 – 4 ¼* - 2003 Raw was quite a rough year with many superstars from different eras (and companies) coming and going; so thankfully when the last Raw of the year was left with Shawn Michaels and Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship we are left with absolute magic.

2004:

• Shawn Michaels Vs Chris Benoit – Raw 16/02/2004 – 4 ¼*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Chris Benoit Vs Triple H – Wrestlemania XX – 4 ¾* - Arguably the greatest main event in Wrestlemania history; three great wrestlers in the main event of the 20th Wrestlemania; highly recommend.
• Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit, Shelton Benjamin & Mick Foley Vs Evolution – Raw 12/04/2004 – 4*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Chris Benoit Vs Triple H – Backlash 2004 – 4 ½* - Rematch of their great Wrestlemania 20 match.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Chris Benoit – Raw 03/05/2004 – 4 ¼*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Triple H – Bad Blood 2004 – 3 ¾* - This match was supposed to be their final match between the two and it is (excluding their match at Taboo Tuesday) and what I’ve noticed with this match is that it’s pretty much split down the middle people either really like this match or really hate this match. Personally I like it, just wish it were a bit shorter.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Chris Jericho – Raw 20/09/2004 – 4*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Triple H – Taboo Tuesday 2004 – 3 ½*

2005:

• Shawn Michaels & Randy Orton Vs Christian & Edge – Raw 21/02/2005 – 4*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Edge – Raw 28/02/2005 – 3 ¾*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Kurt Angle – Wrestlemania 21 – 4 ¾* - Two of the greatest wrestlers of all time finally getting to lock up with each other in squared circle on the grandest stage of them all.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Shelton Benjamin – Raw 02/05/2005 – 4 ½*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Kurt Angle – Vengeance 2005 – 4 ½*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Hulk Hogan – Summerslam 2005 – 3 ½* - Leading into this match Shawn Michaels turned heel for the first time since 1998, this match is notorious for Shawn Michaels reverting to his 90’s self and just overselling and being obnoxious for the whole duration of this match.
• Shawn Michaels Vs John Cena Vs Kurt Angle – Taboo Tuesday 2005 – 3 ¾*
• Shawn Michaels, Carlito, Chris Masters, Kane & Big Show Vs Batista, Bobby Lashley, JBL, Randy Orton & Rey Mysterio – Survivor Series 2005 – 3 ½*

2006:

• Shawn Michaels Vs John Cena Vs Carlito Vs Chris Masters Vs Kane Vs Kurt Angle – New Years Revolution 2006 – 3 ½*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Kurt Angle – Raw 16/01/2006 – 3 ½* - This was the last match is their series of matches since Wrestlemania, it’s really good and a few days after Angle had won the World Heavyweight Championship. Personally I’d rewatch all Angle/Michaels matches.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Mr. McMahon – Wrestlemania 22 – 3 ½*

2007:

• D-Generation X Vs Rated RKO – New Years Revolution 2007 – 3 ¾*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Edge – Raw 22/01/2007 – 4*
• Shawn Michaels & John Cena Vs MVP & Mr Kennedy – Smackdown 13/02/2007 – 3 ½* (Can’t find link, sorry.)
• Shawn Michaels & John Cena Vs Batista & The Undertaker – No Way Out 2007 – 3 ½*
• Shawn Michaels Vs John Cena – Wrestlemania 23 – 4*
• Shawn Michaels Vs John Cena – Raw 23/04/2007 – 4 ¼* - This is one of not only the best Raw matches of all time, but one of Cena’s best matches of all time. They go close to an hour back and forth with no end in sight – if this match was for the WWE Championship that crowd would’ve been absolutely electric.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Edge Vs Randy Orton Vs John Cena – Backlash 2007 – 4 ½*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Randy Orton – Survivor Series 2007 – 3 ½*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Mr Kennedy – Armageddon 2007 – 3 ½*

2008:

• Shawn Michaels Vs Mr Kennedy – Raw 21/01/2008 – 3 ¾*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Jeff Hardy – Raw 04/02/2008 – 3 ¾*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Triple H Vs Chris Jericho Vs Jeff Hardy Vs John Bradshaw Layfield Vs Umaga - No Way Out 2008- 4*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Ric Flair – Wrestlemania 24 – 3 ½* - This match had a retirement stipulation to it; where if Ric Flair lost he would have to retire. This isn’t the best wrestling match of all time, but it’s one of the saddest and storytelling matches of all time.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Chris Jericho – Judgment Day 2008 – 4*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Chris Jericho – Raw 26/05/2008 – 3 ½*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Batista – One Night Stand 2008 – 3 ½*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Chris Jericho – The Great American Bash 2008 – 3 ¾*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Chris Jericho – Unforgiven 2008 – 4 ¼*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Chris Jericho – No Mercy 2008 – 4 ½* - What is to believed as their final match in their series of matches is determined in a Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Championship. This is also been said and voted as one of the best matches from this year, highly recommend people watch it.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Chris Jericho – Raw 10/11/2008 – 4*

2009:

• Shawn Michaels Vs The Undertaker – Wrestlemania 25 – 4 ¾* - Not only one of the best WWE Matches of all time, but one of the best matches in professional wrestling of all time. Whenever there’s post on Reddit regarding what matches should be 5 star matches this match is always commented. If you’re going to watch any match on this list, choose this match.
• D-Generation X Vs Legacy – Summerslam 2009 – 3 ½*
• D-Generation X Vs Legacy – Hell in a Cell 2009 – 3 ¾*
• Shawn Michaels Vs Triple H Vs John Cena – Survivor Series 2009 – 3 ¾*
• D-Generation X Vs Chris Jericho & Big Show – TLC 2009 – 3 ½* - This would be Shawn Michaels last time wearing championship gold when he and Triple H would capture the Tag Team Championships against Jeri-Show in a fun TLC match.

2010:

• Shawn Michaels Vs The Undertaker – Wrestlemania 26 – 4 ¾* - Just when you thought nothing could give Taker/Shawn from Wrestlemania 25 a run for its money, you get the rematch of a lifetime – this time with the stipulation of if Shawn loses his career is over. Back to back matches, and two equally back-to-back critically acclaimed 5 star matches.

Honourable Mentions:

• The Midnight Rockers Vs The Midnight Express – AWA ESPN Championship Wrestling 24/01/1988
• The Rockers Vs The Intruder and Iron Mike Sharpe – WWF Superstars 18/06/1988 - Shawn Michaels debut WWE Match.
• The Rockers Vs The Brain Busters – WWF MSG Live Show 23/01/1989
• The Rockers Vs The Brain Busters – Saturday Night’s Main Event – 25/11/1989
• Shawn Michaels Vs Bret Hart - WWF Superstars 21/07/1992
• Shawn Michaels Vs Mr Perfect – Summerslam 1993 - People forget about this match, probably cause it’s so early in Shawn’s career – very fun match.
• Shawn Michaels & Diesel Vs British Bulldog & Yokozuna – In Your House 3: Triple Header
• Royal Rumble Match – Royal Rumble 1996 - Shawn Michaels became the second man to win the Royal Rumble for consecutive years (first being Hulk Hogan in 1990 and 1991).
• Shawn Michaels Vs Marty Jannetty – Raw 01/07/1996
• Shawn Michaels Vs Sycho Sid – Royal Rumble 1997 - Shawn Michaels would make a return to WWF after losing his WWF Championship a few months earlier to Sycho Sid at Survivor Series in his hometown of San Antonio Texas to reclaim the WWF Championship.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Stone Cold – Wrestlemania XIV - Shawn Michaels last match in the WWF/E for 4 years until his return in August 2002.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Rob Van Dam – Raw 25/11/2002
• Shawn Michaels Vs Triple H – Armageddon 2002
• Shawn Michaels Vs Triple H – Royal Rumble 2004 - I’m surprised this match didn’t get a 4 stars match – this match is my favourite Last Man Standing and I felt obligated to include this match on this list.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Kane – Unforgiven 2004
• The Rockers Vs La Resistance – Raw 14/03/2005
• Shawn Michaels & Hulk Hogan Vs Davari & Muhammad Hassan – Backlash 2005
• Shawn Michaels Vs Kurt Angle – Raw Homecoming - This was their 3rd match in their series and this time it was a 30 Minute Iron Man Match.
• Shawn Michaels Vs Shane McMahon – Saturday Night’s Main Event 18/03/2006
• D-Generation X Vs The Spirit Squad – Vengeance 2006 - The original D-Generation X’s first match back as a team since 1997.
• D-Generation X Vs Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon & Big Show – Unforgiven 2006 - The end of the DX/McMahon feud ends in a Hell in a Cell and with the boss getting his face shoved down the world’s largest athletes ass.
• Shawn Michaels & John Cena Vs Rated RKO – Raw 29/01/2007
• Shawn Michaels Vs Randy Orton Vs Edge – Raw 05/02/2007
• Shawn Michaels Vs Edge – Raw 14/05/2007
• D-Generation X Vs The Miz & John Morrison – Raw 03/11/2008
• Shawn Michaels Vs JBL – No Way Out 2009
• Shawn Michaels Vs Rey Mysterio – Smackdown 26/01/2010
• D-Generation X Vs Big Show & The Miz Vs CM Punk & Luke Gallows – Raw 08/02/2010
• Shawn Michaels Vs Kane – Raw 22/03/2010 - This was Shawn Michaels last Monday Night Raw.

Accomplishments:

• Feud of the Decade (2000–2009) vs. Chris Jericho
• Match of the Year (1993 - 1996), (2004 -2010)
• Ranked No. 1 of the Top 500 Wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1996
• World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• WWE Tag Team Championship (6 times)
• WWE European Championship (1 time)
• WWE Intercontinental Championship (3 times)
• WWE World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
• Royal Rumble Winner (1995, 1996)
• First Grand Slam Champion

Wrestlers in the most matches with Shawn Michaels

Wrestler	Number of Matches
Bobby Lashley	1
Booker T	1
Carlito	1
Chris Masters	1
CM Punk	1
Davari	1
Dean Douglas	1
Haku	1
Hulk Hogan	1
Jeff Jarrett	1
John Morrison	1
La Resistance	1
Luke Gallows	1
Mark Henry	1
Mr Perfect	1
Muhammad Hassan	1
Scott Steiner	1
Shelton Benjamin	1
Spirit Squad	1
Tatanka	1
The Barbarian	1
The Beverley Brothers	1
The Nasty Boys	1
Umaga	1
1-2-3 Kid	1
Christian	2
Cody Rhodes	2
Diesel	2
Jeff Hardy	2
Mankind	2
Mr. McMahon	2
Rey Mysterio	2
Rob Van Dam	2
Shane McMahon	2
Stone Cold	2
Sycho Sid	2
Ted DiBiase Jnr	2
The Brain Busters	2
The Miz	2
Vader	2
Yokozuna	2
Big Show	3
John Bradshaw Layfield	3
Mr. Kennedy	3
Ric Flair	3
Batista	4
Bret Hart	4
Chris Benoit	4
Kane	4
Marty Jannetty	4
British Bulldog	5
Razor Ramon	5
Kurt Angle	6
Owen Hart	6
The Undertaker	6
John Cena	7
Edge	8
Randy Orton	9
Triple H	13
Chris Jericho	13