Shawn Michaels has the reputation of putting on instant classics in his career. HBK is unquestionably one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. He's a very good storyteller, and he knows how to bring out the best in his opponents. Michaels has mixed it up with some all-time greats, and he has captivated audiences over the years with some memorable matchups.
Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer is the founder of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. He has covered professional wrestling for over 40 years. Nevertheless, it's hard to argue with Meltzer's ratings of Michaels' best singles matches in his career as he had hit home runs on several occasions.
14 Shawn Michaels Vs. Shelton Benjamin - Raw 5/2/05 (4.5 Stars)
In the first round of the Gold Rush tournament, Shawn Michaels battled with Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin on the May 2, 2005, edition of Raw. The crowd was red-hot for this match as the counters, and the kick-outs were insane.
This was a pay-per-view quality match, and Benjamin showed his tremendous athleticism. This contest is best remembered for Michaels nailing Benjamin with a Sweet Chin Music in midair. Michaels had respect for Benjamin, and he acknowledged his efforts at the end of the match.
13 Shawn Michaels Vs. Jeff Jarrett - In Your House: The Lumberjacks, 1995 (4.5 Stars)
Shawn Michaels challenged Jeff Jarrett for the Intercontinental Championship at the second In Hour House event in July 1995. However, Double J had a small advantage as the show emanated in Nashville, Tennessee, and Jarrett is a native of that state.
Once again, Michaels showed why he is an elite-level performer. He brought out the best in Jarrett, who had one of the finest performances in his career. Jarrett pushed Michaels to his limit, and The Heartbreak Kid took home the Intercontinental Championship for the third time in his career.
12 Shawn Michaels Vs. Chris Jericho - No Mercy 2008 (4.5 Stars)
The rivalry between Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho was undoubtedly the feud of the year. The two legends put their feud to bed in a ladder match at No Mercy 2008 with Jericho's World Heavyweight Championship hanging in the balance.
Michaels and Jericho are ladder match specialists, so it wasn't a shock that they produced an entertaining match. Both took some bumps, and the battle ensued at the top of the ladder. Jericho got the upper hand by headbutting Michaels, and Jericho retrieved the title, and thus remained as World Heavyweight Champion.
11 Shawn Michaels Vs. Kurt Angle - Vengeance 2005 (4.5 Stars)
Shawn Michaels and Kurt Angle's WrestleMania 21 epic always gets held in high regard and rightfully so, but their rematch at Vengeance 2005 was another excellent match between the duo. It's a testament to their greatness that they were able to replicate their original encounter by producing more magic.
HBK was fired up as he wanted to level the score in their head-to-head. As expected, there were near falls, and it was a brilliant story told between the duo. This time, Michaels turned the tables, and he earned a marquee win over Angle with Sweet Chin Music.
10 Shawn Michaels Vs. Diesel - In Your House: Good Friends, Better Enemies, 1996 (4.5 Stars)
Before Diesel sought greener pastures in WCW, he had one last job to do, and that was to put over his good friend Shawn Michaels in a No Holds Barred Match for the WWE Championship. Their collision course came at In Your House: Good Friends, Better Enemies, and it was Michaels' first WWE Championship title defense after he won the title at WrestleMania 12.
Credit has to be given to Big Daddy Cool, who had his working boots on, ensuring that he made HBK look good. The contest was enthralling, and Diesel didn't make it easy for Michaels. Ultimately, the Showstopper retained the WWE Championship with Sweet Chin Music.
9 Shawn Michaels Vs. Bret Hart - Survivor Series 1992 (4.5 Stars)
The stakes were high in Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart's encounter for the WWE Championship at Survivor Series 1992. This was a historic moment as it was the first time, that a singles match had closed out Survivor Series. Nonetheless, HBK was looking to become a double champion as he was the reigning Intercontinental Champion.
Whilst, Hart was established as a certified main eventer, it was clear to see that Michaels wasn't far behind. The Heartbreak Kid equipped himself well, but the Hitman got the last laugh as he finished off Michaels with the Sharpshooter.
8 Shawn Michaels Vs. Marty Jannetty - Raw 7/19/93 (4.75 Stars)
Fans on the July 19, 1993, edition of Raw were treated to a barnburner of an Intercontinental Championship match between Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty. HBK was the defending champion, but the former tag team partners know each other's skillsets inside out.
Jannetty thought that he had recaptured the Intercontinental Title with a DDT, but the referee restarted the match as Michaels' foot touched the bottom rope. Chants of "Marty" reverberated around the arena. There were several submission holds, and HBK retained his title in the curtain-raiser in a war of attrition.
7 Shawn Michaels Vs. Razor Ramon - SummerSlam 1995 (4.75 Stars)
17 months after their legendary ladder match at WrestleMania 10, Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon engaged in a rematch over the Intercontinental Championship in another ladder match at SummerSlam 1995. This time around, HBK was the defending Intercontinental Champion.
Michaels and Razor's chemistry is unmatched, and they made ladder matches look so easy. HBK weathered the storm, and he countered the Razor's Edge with the Bad Guy crashing onto the outside. Michaels reversed the result, and he continued his run as Intercontinental Champion.
6 Shawn Michaels Vs. Mankind - In Your House: Mind Games, 1996 (4.75 Stars)
Mankind proved to be a stern test in Shawn Michaels' latest WWE Championship title defense at In Your House: Mind Games. Mankind was five months into his WWE career, and this was one of the best matches in his iconic career.
HBK's agility helped him in this match, but Mankind showed that he could keep up with someone of the caliber of Michaels. Mankind did not take home the WWE Title with Michaels retaining by disqualification in a fantastic championship bout.
5 Shawn Michaels Vs. The Undertaker - WrestleMania 26 (4.75 Stars)
Shawn Michaels' legendary wrestling career was on the line as was The Undertaker's 17-0 unbeaten WrestleMania streak at WrestleMania 26. This was a rematch from their remarkable WrestleMania 25 epic, and once again they stole the show in an emotionally fueled match.
Both men brought their A-games, and there were countless near falls. HBK was desperate to end Undertaker's unbeaten WrestleMania record which proved to be his downfall. Undertaker brought the curtain down on HBK's career with a devastating jumping Tombstone Piledriver.
4 Shawn Michaels Vs. Kurt Angle - WrestleMania 21 (4.75 Stars)
At WrestleMania 21, Shawn Michaels and Kurt Angle finally locked horns in a dream match. HBK represented Raw, and Angle was a proud member of SmackDown. The intensity and physicality of this match were phenomenal.
The action was breathtaking, and both men threw the kitchen sink at each other. Michaels fought like crazy to battle out of the Angle Lock, but he succumbed to the pain with Angle cinching in the maneuver, leaving HBK no choice but to tap out.
3 Shawn Michaels Vs. The Undertaker - WrestleMania 25 (4.75 Stars)
A definition of perfection is Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker's instant classic at WrestleMania 25. The former World Champions stole the show, and the two World Championship matches were unfortunate to follow Michaels and Undertaker's epic.
Both men kicked out of each other's finishers, and they pulled out all the stops to make this a memorable encounter. Fans hold this match in high regard as the greatest match in WWE history. HBK came close, but Undertaker went 17-0 at WrestleMania.
2 Shawn Michaels Vs. Razor Ramon - WrestleMania 10 (5 Stars)
Dave Meltzer waited until WrestleMania 10 to award a five-star at WrestleMania for the first time. Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon's ladder match for the Undisputed Intercontinental Championship was off the charts. This was the first televised ladder match in WWE history, and Michaels and Razor set the tone for future ladder matches.
HBK's movement around the ring was effortless, and the Bad Guy caused Michaels some problems. HBK attempted to retrieve the Intercontinental Title belts, but Razor pushed HBK off the ladder, who was tangled in the ropes and Razor grabbed the two Intercontinental Championships with HBK going back to the drawing board with a heartbreaking loss.
1 Shawn Michaels Vs. The Undertaker - Badd Blood: In Your House, 1997 (5 Stars)
Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker's WrestleMania matches failed to get a five-star rating from Dave Meltzer, but their Hell in a Cell match at Badd Blood: In Your House received one from Meltzer. The inaugural Hell in a Cell match was violent, and both Michaels and Undertaker were at the peak of their powers.
Michaels fell from the side of the cell, and he crashed through the broadcast table, and he bled profusely. The Deadman had things under control, but was until his brother Kane made his debut. Kane ripped the door off its hinges, and he laid out Undertaker with Michaels prevailing and going on to become the number one contender for Bret Hart's WWE Championship at Survivor Series.