Heartbreak Hotel

     In the sports entertainment world of professional wrestling, hyperboles are thrown around like rice in a wedding procession.  There are, however, a few great men and women, who have earned each and every single one of those hyperboles.  One of those great ones, bade a final goodbye to his adoring fans of over 25 years.  Shawn Michaels, the "Heartbreak Kid," finally bade good bye to the WWE Universe last Monday, ending the career of easily one of wrestling's most popular and enduring superstars.  As a tribute to one of wrestlings icons, I look back on HBK's most memorable career moments.  While HBK has won a tremendous amount of titles, including every single one the WWE has ever had, I find these moments were his greatest.

Kwentong Barbero


     In 1988, a then teenaged Shawn Michaels burst into the WWE scene as one half of the Rockers. Teamed with Marty Jannetty, Michaels wuickly busted through the tag team ranks, winning against greats like the Hart Foundation and the Brain Busters.  His road to greatness, however, started with the implosion of his tag team.  After a series of rumors surrounding the Rockers' partnership, Michaels cleared the air in Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake's barber shop, raising Jannetty's hand before turning around and super-kicking him in the face.  The separation from Jannetty allowed Michael's to pursue the tremendous singles career everyone will remember for quite some time.


Step Ladder

     Wrestlemania X was not the site of the first Ladder Match, but it was the site of THE Ladder Match, the one that revolutionized it and made it a household name.  Together with Razor Ramon, Michaels treated wrestling fans to match unlike any other.  The simple ladder was used a myriad of hurtful ways, among others, as a club, a spear, a jumping point, and the fans responded with both awe and appreciation.  Since that match, ladder matches have been an integral part of most WWE pay per view events and similarly, it has launched the careers of other greats like Edge and Jeff Hardy.












60 Minutes

     Continuing with his legacy of being a revolutionary, Michaels would win his first world championship against fellow great Bret "Hitman" Hart in a "60 Minute Iron Man" match.  Performing a match that would enthrall an audience is hard enough, but Michaels and Hart enthralled the sold out stadium for 60 minutes and this match was Michael's entry into the big-time.
























Acting Chops

     WWE stands as a dominant force now, but it was quite in trouble in the 90s, up against a spirited WCW, which was enjoying a rash of defections from older WWE stars.  Michaels stood steadfast and together with Triple H, created Degeneration X, probably the most well-loved group in WWE history.  DX went on a rampage, producing irreverent skits, acts of lasciviousness, keeping the audiences glued.  The group fueled the "Attitude Era," preventing audiences from turning their attention to WCW.  As saviors and heroes go, it was ironically the group that embarrassed WWE owner Vince McMahon every week that helped save his billions.






Back from a Back (Injury)

     A serious back injury threatened to force Michaels to retire, as he was inactive from 1998 to 2002.  What many didn't know, however, was that the back was just one of Michael's problems.  Struggling with personal demons, this four-year period was a time when Michaels truly recovered, not only physically but spiritually and mentally as well.  That's why his return, a street fight against Triple H in Summer Slam was especially significant.  While the match was a great one, the most memorable part was the finish, when Michaels walked out of the match on his own power, signalling that he was indeed back and his already legendary career would continue.


Lucky Number 17


     Last year's Wrestlemania featured 2009's (and arguably history's) greatest match.  Challenging the Undertaker's unbeaten Wrestlemania streak (16 at the time), Michaels and Undertaker absolutely wowed everyone, leaving mouths agape and heads shaking.  The match featured a tremendous amount of false finishes, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats the entire time, and in a tremendous testament to the respect HBK had earned, he was able to kick out of the Undertaker's Tombstone.  Alas, he would lose the match on a second Tombstone piledriver, but this match was the proverbial one where no one lost.