Welcome to the very first edition of the ESSENTIALS. Every once in a while I will post one of these articles basically to educate the newbs (casual fans this is for you). If your new to the WWE or just an old mark who likes lists, then this will be your favorite part of the blog. Let's just assume an alien crashed landed at Wrestlemania and became a member of the WWE universe, what superstars would you tell him about? Which of these superstars matches would you show this creature? Ladies and Marks I give you...
THE ESSENTIAL SHAWN MICHAELS
Now it's no secret that HBK is my favorite superstar of all time (much to my Bret-loving cousin's chagrin). So what better place to start then with the man who is arguably the most creative, innovative and naturally gifted performer in the history of the WWE. There arguably may have been better matches (this IS NOT a 'best of' list) but there have never been any more essential to his career. Shawn (in my opinion) is the best big match performer ever and has earned the name "Mr. Wrestlemania" (no its not a beauty pageant dumbass) for this exact reason. If you have never heard of Shawn, (where the FUCK do you live?!) then this list will give you a wide variety of crucial performances and prove what everyone in the WWE universe already knows...NO ONE tops the showstopper!
Without further ado here are the top 10 essential matches from HBK:
10. Wrestlemania 10:: Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match: Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon
The match that set the (WWE) universe on fire! Contrary to popular belief, this IS NOT the first ladder match. However, never before has one been so influential. Shawn and Razor set the bar so high, that today, the ladder match has become not much more then a spotfest (not that theres anything wrong with that). There have been flashier bumps then Shawn's off-ladder splash, there has even been more brutal damage done with a ladder, but the storytelling of this match is what sets it apart from the rest and still makes the match hold up to this very day. A career defining match for sure and even though he lost, Shawn ALWAYS loses with style.
Match rating: 5 out of 5
Showstopping moment: Def the splash off the ladder. That image still gets shown in every ladder match/Wrestlemania package to this very day.
9. Wrestlemania 19: Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho
After years off from the business, Shawn returned to the grandest stage of em' all and proved that it was still his show. In 2003, this rivalry did not start as good as most expected, but MAN did they end it GREAT. This match is the best example of student vs. teacher I have ever seen. Add in the significance that it was Shawn's first match at the event that made him famous in over 4 years, and you got yourselves a true classic! In fact, to this very day, Y2J considers this to be his best match.
Match rating: 4.75 out of 5
Showstopping moment: Shawn going back to his old ways, resting on the turnbuckle as if to say, "kid, you're not in my league".
8. Wrestlemania 12:: Iron Man Match: Shawn Michaels vs. Bret "Hitman" Hart
Shawn's best match of his most heated rivalry. This match is another first for Shawn and boy did he deliver, but the Hitman was no slouch here either. I absolutely love the buildup of this match (almost more then the match itself). The beaten, old but experienced veteran vs. the young, cocky upstart. Another classic story told right before our very eyes. To Bret's credit, he may be the very best storyteller ever, and with Shawn bringing the flash, they crafted a wrestling masterpiece.
Match rating: 4.75 out of 5
Showstopping moment: Shawn's brutal super kicks during the sudden death period. THAT SHIT LOOKED REAL SON!
7. Badd Blood 1997:: Hell in a Cell Match: Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker
It seems Vince trusts him whenever he has a new idea because this is another first that Shawn made a classic and arguably, impossible to follow. Never before has someone truly showed you how scary Taker could be. Shawn ran from Taker for a lot of the match and once the Deadman would get his hands on him, you understood why. Again Shawn makes an inanimate object the third man in the match telling another hollywood worthy story. Oh and the debut of Kane didnt hurt either.
Match rating: 5 out of 5
Showstopping moment: The huge bump Shawn took off the top of the cell. Yeah Foley did it better, but HBK did it first.
6. Wrestlemania 21: Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle
Quite possibly the best two in ring performers of their respective generations. So they couldn't possibly live up to the hype right? WRONG! This match far exceeded anyone's expectations and the only reason it's not number one is because it started a bit slow for me. Still, this match stands out as the best example of Shawn adapting to another wrestlers style all while still stealing the show.
Match Rating: 5 out of 5
Showstopping moment: The super kick to angle after he screams at Shawn to tap out.
5. WWE RAW 2005:: Gold Rush Tournament: Shawn Michaels vs. Shelton Benjamin
A match I rarely see on many lists, but I think that's what truly makes it essential. One of the best TV matches of all time. A quick one off in the opening round of a number one contenders tournament on Raw. It was a great episode of RAW and these two stole the show. A true testament to how Shawn can take a talented, yet unproven rookie like Benjamin and make him a star overnight. It doesn't hurt that I was there for this match so I could really feel the magic in the air.
Match rating: 4.25 out of 5
Showstopping moment: The springboard leap by Benjamin into the super kick is one of the most amazing finishes I’ve ever seen!!!
4. Wrestlemania 24:: Career threatening match: Shawn Michaels vs. Ric (WOOOOO) Flair
This match makes the list simply on the drama alone. Seriously I feel like I'm watching a movie when I watch this one. Even the cynics who don't get into the story can drool over the fact that this match brings the career of the THE GREATEST LEGEND IN THE HISTORY OF THE BUSINESS to an end. I love the "c'mon! Is that all you got!!?" attitude of Flair in this match, but Shawn brings the emotion and athleticism all the way to the very end with the infamous "I'm sorry, I love you" moment.
Match rating: 5 out of 5
Showstopping moment: The gut-busting moonsault attempt on the announce table that I'm sure hurt for weeks after the match was over.
3. London, England WWE RAW 2007:: Wrestlemania rematch: Shawn Michaels vs. John Cena
In my opinion, this is STILL Cena's best performance. These two put on a hell of a match at Mania' 23, but this one takes the cake (and the match of the year award in 2007). I believe even though Cena still has his haters, this match is where he silenced them all (YES folks...HE CAN WRESTLE). Still, HBK stole the show once again in what IS the greatest TV match of all time.
Match rating: 5 out of 5
Showstopping moment: The epic finishing sequence.
2. Summerslam 2002:: Return No-holds-barred match: Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H
Shawn's 4th best feud (1 being Bret, 2 being Jericho and 3 being The Undertaker) gave him his 2nd most essential match. Here Shawn truly shows that he may possibly be the only human being on Earth immune to ring rust. After 4 years away, he dazzled the crowd and tore the house down in an epic battle with his former sidekick. This match also boasts some epic heel work from Trips, but Shawn was the true star of the show here and everyone felt it.
Match rating: 4.75 out of 5
Showstopping moment: The elbow drop was a favorite just on the post-elbow intensity alone.
And here it is, if a dumb alien crashed landed on Earth and asked me to show him one HBK match what would it be?
1. (DUH!) Wrestlemania 25: Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker
Do I really need to explain this???? Not only is this the greatest Wrestlemania match ever, but it is proof that Shawn is the greatest performer to ever lace up a pair of boots. This may also be The Undertaker's best match. Never again will you have a match this EPIC, with this much hype, live up to the expectations and at the same time, set a new standard for big match performances. Here you have the two men most identified with Wrestlemania (one who always steals the show and one who never loses) going at it in the match that is not just essential Shawn, but essential to the business as a whole.
Match rating: 5 HOLY FUCKING SHIT THAT WAS AWESOME out of 5
Showstopping moment: You're kidding right? THE WHOLE MATCH IS A SHOWSTOPPING MOMENT!!!!!
Dream match that should be on this list: Shawn Michaels vs. The Rock
And there you have it, the Essential Shawn Michaels!
Let me know where you agree/disagree
THE ESSENTIAL SHAWN MICHAELS
Now it's no secret that HBK is my favorite superstar of all time (much to my Bret-loving cousin's chagrin). So what better place to start then with the man who is arguably the most creative, innovative and naturally gifted performer in the history of the WWE. There arguably may have been better matches (this IS NOT a 'best of' list) but there have never been any more essential to his career. Shawn (in my opinion) is the best big match performer ever and has earned the name "Mr. Wrestlemania" (no its not a beauty pageant dumbass) for this exact reason. If you have never heard of Shawn, (where the FUCK do you live?!) then this list will give you a wide variety of crucial performances and prove what everyone in the WWE universe already knows...NO ONE tops the showstopper!
Without further ado here are the top 10 essential matches from HBK:
10. Wrestlemania 10:: Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match: Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon
The match that set the (WWE) universe on fire! Contrary to popular belief, this IS NOT the first ladder match. However, never before has one been so influential. Shawn and Razor set the bar so high, that today, the ladder match has become not much more then a spotfest (not that theres anything wrong with that). There have been flashier bumps then Shawn's off-ladder splash, there has even been more brutal damage done with a ladder, but the storytelling of this match is what sets it apart from the rest and still makes the match hold up to this very day. A career defining match for sure and even though he lost, Shawn ALWAYS loses with style.
Match rating: 5 out of 5
Showstopping moment: Def the splash off the ladder. That image still gets shown in every ladder match/Wrestlemania package to this very day.
9. Wrestlemania 19: Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho
After years off from the business, Shawn returned to the grandest stage of em' all and proved that it was still his show. In 2003, this rivalry did not start as good as most expected, but MAN did they end it GREAT. This match is the best example of student vs. teacher I have ever seen. Add in the significance that it was Shawn's first match at the event that made him famous in over 4 years, and you got yourselves a true classic! In fact, to this very day, Y2J considers this to be his best match.
Match rating: 4.75 out of 5
Showstopping moment: Shawn going back to his old ways, resting on the turnbuckle as if to say, "kid, you're not in my league".
8. Wrestlemania 12:: Iron Man Match: Shawn Michaels vs. Bret "Hitman" Hart
Shawn's best match of his most heated rivalry. This match is another first for Shawn and boy did he deliver, but the Hitman was no slouch here either. I absolutely love the buildup of this match (almost more then the match itself). The beaten, old but experienced veteran vs. the young, cocky upstart. Another classic story told right before our very eyes. To Bret's credit, he may be the very best storyteller ever, and with Shawn bringing the flash, they crafted a wrestling masterpiece.
Match rating: 4.75 out of 5
Showstopping moment: Shawn's brutal super kicks during the sudden death period. THAT SHIT LOOKED REAL SON!
7. Badd Blood 1997:: Hell in a Cell Match: Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker
It seems Vince trusts him whenever he has a new idea because this is another first that Shawn made a classic and arguably, impossible to follow. Never before has someone truly showed you how scary Taker could be. Shawn ran from Taker for a lot of the match and once the Deadman would get his hands on him, you understood why. Again Shawn makes an inanimate object the third man in the match telling another hollywood worthy story. Oh and the debut of Kane didnt hurt either.
Match rating: 5 out of 5
Showstopping moment: The huge bump Shawn took off the top of the cell. Yeah Foley did it better, but HBK did it first.
6. Wrestlemania 21: Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle
Quite possibly the best two in ring performers of their respective generations. So they couldn't possibly live up to the hype right? WRONG! This match far exceeded anyone's expectations and the only reason it's not number one is because it started a bit slow for me. Still, this match stands out as the best example of Shawn adapting to another wrestlers style all while still stealing the show.
Match Rating: 5 out of 5
Showstopping moment: The super kick to angle after he screams at Shawn to tap out.
5. WWE RAW 2005:: Gold Rush Tournament: Shawn Michaels vs. Shelton Benjamin
A match I rarely see on many lists, but I think that's what truly makes it essential. One of the best TV matches of all time. A quick one off in the opening round of a number one contenders tournament on Raw. It was a great episode of RAW and these two stole the show. A true testament to how Shawn can take a talented, yet unproven rookie like Benjamin and make him a star overnight. It doesn't hurt that I was there for this match so I could really feel the magic in the air.
Match rating: 4.25 out of 5
Showstopping moment: The springboard leap by Benjamin into the super kick is one of the most amazing finishes I’ve ever seen!!!
4. Wrestlemania 24:: Career threatening match: Shawn Michaels vs. Ric (WOOOOO) Flair
This match makes the list simply on the drama alone. Seriously I feel like I'm watching a movie when I watch this one. Even the cynics who don't get into the story can drool over the fact that this match brings the career of the THE GREATEST LEGEND IN THE HISTORY OF THE BUSINESS to an end. I love the "c'mon! Is that all you got!!?" attitude of Flair in this match, but Shawn brings the emotion and athleticism all the way to the very end with the infamous "I'm sorry, I love you" moment.
Match rating: 5 out of 5
Showstopping moment: The gut-busting moonsault attempt on the announce table that I'm sure hurt for weeks after the match was over.
3. London, England WWE RAW 2007:: Wrestlemania rematch: Shawn Michaels vs. John Cena
In my opinion, this is STILL Cena's best performance. These two put on a hell of a match at Mania' 23, but this one takes the cake (and the match of the year award in 2007). I believe even though Cena still has his haters, this match is where he silenced them all (YES folks...HE CAN WRESTLE). Still, HBK stole the show once again in what IS the greatest TV match of all time.
Match rating: 5 out of 5
Showstopping moment: The epic finishing sequence.
2. Summerslam 2002:: Return No-holds-barred match: Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H
Shawn's 4th best feud (1 being Bret, 2 being Jericho and 3 being The Undertaker) gave him his 2nd most essential match. Here Shawn truly shows that he may possibly be the only human being on Earth immune to ring rust. After 4 years away, he dazzled the crowd and tore the house down in an epic battle with his former sidekick. This match also boasts some epic heel work from Trips, but Shawn was the true star of the show here and everyone felt it.
Match rating: 4.75 out of 5
Showstopping moment: The elbow drop was a favorite just on the post-elbow intensity alone.
And here it is, if a dumb alien crashed landed on Earth and asked me to show him one HBK match what would it be?
1. (DUH!) Wrestlemania 25: Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker
Do I really need to explain this???? Not only is this the greatest Wrestlemania match ever, but it is proof that Shawn is the greatest performer to ever lace up a pair of boots. This may also be The Undertaker's best match. Never again will you have a match this EPIC, with this much hype, live up to the expectations and at the same time, set a new standard for big match performances. Here you have the two men most identified with Wrestlemania (one who always steals the show and one who never loses) going at it in the match that is not just essential Shawn, but essential to the business as a whole.
Match rating: 5 HOLY FUCKING SHIT THAT WAS AWESOME out of 5
Showstopping moment: You're kidding right? THE WHOLE MATCH IS A SHOWSTOPPING MOMENT!!!!!
Dream match that should be on this list: Shawn Michaels vs. The Rock
And there you have it, the Essential Shawn Michaels!
Let me know where you agree/disagree
Lmfao This was an awesome list! I'm glad SOMEBODY finally gave Cena the credit he deserves...♥....& Shawn cld wrestle a broomstick & have a classic..but I agree with the list...u sarcastic fuck. Lol
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment! =D Glad U like the list!
ReplyDelete