Shawn Michaels Vs Bret Hart, Wrestlemania 12, 1996
This event and match was built on the ‘Boyhood Dream‘ of Shawn Michaels, in the months before Wrestlemania Shawn had made known his intentions to capture the WWF Title. His opponent was the ring general all round professional Bret Hart, the reigning WWF Champion. It was known heading into Mania that Bret wanted time off, Vince also wanted to change the landscape and have Shawn as his No1 guy. HBK even had to defeat Owen Hart at In Your House in February 1996 for the right to keep his spot. It was also this match which arguably kick started the infamous personal feud between to two faces, who over the next 18 months would define the 1990’s with their on and off screen antics.
Bret & Shawn were pure wrestlers and are considered two of the very best ever. It was only fitting that they should have a match fitting of their status, therefore a Iron Man match was scheduled for the grand event. The match has divided opinion since it took place, some love it some hate it but no matter it was a awesome spectacle. It was a slow burner with each man trading moves and reversals to try and gain an advantage. It went the full hour as neither man could out do the other, the Iron Man match was a true test of someone’s health, strength, stamina and endurance. For a large percentage of the match the two went back and forth, the fatigue was beginning to show on both competitors as the hour neared completion. The match struck the 60 minute mark without a pin-fall or submission, the contest seemed over, Bret took it as a draw and proceeded to walk away. Then acting commissioner Gorilla Monsoon declared over time, the match was still on, Bret was furious…..this was his downfall. He stormed back into the ring to defeat HBK but got caught by Shawn with Sweet Chin Music for the victory.
Triple H Vs Shawn Michaels Vs Chris Benoit, Wrestlemania 20, 2004
In the years following this triumphant main event, tragedy struck Chris Benoit and his family, however there is no denying that in his prime Chris Benoit was one of the very best ever. The lead up to this match all started at the Royal Rumble, where at it Triple H & Shawn Michaels fought to a 22 minute draw and Chris Benoit survived 29 other men to win the Royal Rumble. The match itself was built on the never ending feud between HHH & HBK and Chris Benoit’s 20 year path to the World Heavyweight Championship. The feeling at Wrestlemania 20 was amazing, especially with it being in Madison Square Garden there was an extra feeling of enthusiasm for the evenings events. For Benoit this was all a dream come true, with a small stature and non existent personality many thought he was ill prepared for the stresses and strains of the main event scene. What Chris lacked in personality he made up for with pure wrestling ability, there is no denying that he is one of the very best ever and on that night he deserved to be there.
The match was a masterpiece and quite easily the most well worked triple threat match in WWE history, the 3 participants worked wonderfully together. Their timing, teamwork, selling and ring awareness was just flawless, nothing dragged and the action flowed like a fine wine. Chris Benoit kept the tempo high throughout with his high octane style, Triple H & Michaels weaved the story together and slowed the action down when all needed a rest. The match was made to allow Benoit to shine and that he did, with Shawn and Hunter selling like never before the Crippler looked the true champion, his performance as always was perfect. There were some great moments during the bout, at one point to counter Benoit’s dominance HHH & HBK suplexed him through the announce table, Benoit also at one point had Shawn locked in the Crossface. Triple H broke the hold and the action continued to flow, Shawn went for his patented Sweet Chin Music only for Benoit to counter it and send him flying to the outside. Triple H then tried to take advantage and hit his Pedigree, however Benoit countered and reversed it into the Cripppler Crossface for the memorable victory.
Shawn Michaels Vs John Cena, Wrestlemania 23, 2007
John Cena was into his third WWE title reign come Wrestlemania 23, his challenger on this night was the “Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels. The build to this math was constructed oh so well, after winning a triple threat match to determine a challenger to John, WWE set about forming a shaky alliance between the two. In the weeks before Mania WWE would air video packages courtesy of Randy Orton to portray Shawn as backstabber and someone not to be trusted. John by this this stage was two years into his title dominance and he was playing the good guy role perfectly, he trusted Shawn not to turn on him. HBK & Cena also saved each other from attempted attacks by Rated-RKO on separate occasions before Wrestlemania, on the Raw go home show Cena and Shawn teamed up once more to face the Undertaker & Batista. Cena & HBK were seemingly on course to victory, they performed a synchronised 5 knuckle shuffle, then Michaels did it……as John got back up from delivery his fist drop Shawn hit him with Sweet Chin Music.
The Ford Field was an amazing setting for this awesome spectacle, going into this match Shawn had the momentum but Cena as always was the determined champion. A large majority of the crowd were HBK fans so they automatically let their allegiances be known, Cena was in for the match of his life. Shawn went in the cocky veteran who thought Cena was out of his depth, the match started with Shawn goading Cena into throwing left and rights. Shawn avoided all and hit back with his own offence, knocking Cena down and getting in his face. The match went in that direction, Shawn played the villain to Cen’s super hero and the action built to a steady climax. Cena as always fought well and kept going, never wanting to give up he mounted a comeback but HBK cut him down. In his efforts to defeat Cena, Shawn inflicted a painful looking Piledriver to Cena on the ring steps, however the champion still wouldn’t go down. After unsuccessful FU and Sweet Chin Music attempts John finally caught Michaels with the STFU for the victory and to retain his championship.
The Undertaker (The Streak) Vs (Career) Shawn Michaels, Wrestlemania 26, 2010
Is there any explanation needed for arguably the greatest main event in Wrestlemania history? Built on HBK’s loss the previous year to the Deadman at WM25, the dream rematch was finally confirmed after Shawn cost Undertaker the World Title with Sweet Chin Music. Undertaker originally wanted nothing to do with Shawn as he had already defeated him the year prior. When Shawn went to extreme measures to secure the rematch Taker relented and accepted, however this time there would be consequences. With Shawn challenging the Streak, Undertaker wanted something in return, he wanted HBK’s career on the line. Michaels having achieved everything within WWE decided that there was nothing else left but the Streak, in the weeks before the event the match was made no DO’s and Count-outs.
The match was a fitting end to the career of Shawn Michaels, for 24 minutes the two WWE legends made history together. The contest had a eerie vibe as even though it was a streak match it was hard to believe HBK might retire in defeat. It started at a furious pace with both men hitting big moves early on to try and put the contest to bed, the action spilt to the outside where Undertaker hit Shawn with a Tombstone on the arena floor. The 75,000 strong fans gasped, Taker pulled Shawn back into the ring for a pin attempt but HBK kicked out, much to the shock of the Deadman and the audience. The match then stepped up a level with Shawn hitting his Sweet Chin Music for the first time, Taker didn’t hesitate as he hit back with a Chokeslam and Last-Ride, Michaels again kicked out, there was too much on the line to give up just yet. Shawn recovered and inflicted numerous submission holds to the legs of the Deadman, trying to slow him, a figure 4 and Ankle were all countered. Undertaker hit back with Hell’s Gate but Shawn reversed in into a pinning predicament. Returning to ringside Shawn hit his second Superkick and placed his opponent on the announce table, he went high and hit a stunning moonsault. Neither man was willing to give up, the battle weary veterans returned to the ring for the finale, Michaels waited for Taker to rise before hitting another Superkick but again he kicked out. Undertaker quickly reacted with a chokeslam and Tombstone for a shockingly close and long 2 count…….Taker then pleaded for Shawn to stay down, the ever cocky HBK got to his feet and slapped the Deadman, there was silence! Undertaker hoisted Michaels up for his beautiful jumping Tombstone Piledriver for the victory and to end the career of Shawn Michaels.
Daniel Bryan Vs Randy Orton Vs Batista, Wrestlemania 30, 2014
The crowning moment in Daniel Bryan’s career is up there as arguably the greatest moment in Wrestlemania history. From bingo halls to the SuperDome in New Orleans Daniel Bryan’s wrestling career is a tale of rags to riches, the Triple Threat Match that night was really something special. Earlier in the evening Bryan defeated Triple H to earn his place in the evenings main event, his opponents would be WWE Champion Randy Orton and Royal Rumble winner Batista. You could trace this match back to SummerSlam 2013, where Daniel Bryan minutes after winning the WWE Title was attacked by Triple H which therefore allowed Orton to cash in his briefcase and become Champion. That act set in motion a series of events which culminated at Wrestlemania 30 in great fashion.
The match was emotional to say the least, the 75,000 fans in attendance watched Daniel Bryan as he smashed the proverbial glass ceiling in WWE. Bryan having already wrestled one tough match against Triple H earlier in the evening looked physically drained as he started the contest. Daniel against the bigger, stronger Orton & Batista was targeted throughout the whole contest, on top of that Triple H made another appearance to try and prevent Daniel from victory. Daniel dealt with Triple H by taking him out with his own Sledgehammer, however he was then subjected to a combined Batista Bomb/RKO through the announce table, it was a truly breathtaking moment. Orton and Batista recovered and continued the fight inside the ring, Bryan was being stretchered away, many at this point believed WWE had screwed them. That would however not be the end of Bryan’s adventure, he made it back into the ring for a thrilling finale in which he crashed into Batista with his flying knee and then trapped him in the Yes Lock for the victory and the WWE World Heavyweight Title.
There have been many great Wrestlemania main events and these are just some of them, but since it’s inception some have just stood out as exceptional. I hope you enjoy my choices and keep a look out for future Wrestlemania specials.
@ciaran_1986
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