Shawn Michaels vs Triple H
Result: Shawn Michaels reverses a Pedigree into a jackknife pin for the victory over Triple H.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
This was the beginning of a rivalry that would dominate RAW for the next two years, producing numerous incredible battles. But this origin set an incredibly high bar to top. Shawn Michaels, after badly injuring his back in 1998, returned to WWE reborn and renewed, ready to realign with his best friend Triple H in DX.
However, the jealousy of the Game prevented this from happening, as he immediately Pedigreed Michaels to the canvas, defiantly stating that he was now the man, and his former friend was now beneath him. With the bitterness and animosity reaching a boiling point between these once great allies, at SummerSlam HBK stepped into the ring for the first time in four years, and it looked as though he hadn’t missed a day.
HBK strutted out for his entrance, the crowd going absolutely crazy for this historic moment. Few people know how to go out on any given show and give a five-star performance, and Shawn Michaels is one of those elite superstars. No ring rust showing, he and Triple H got straight into the violence, with flying fists, trash cans and steel chairs. Michaels started out on fire, but his rival illustrated why he was the Cerebral Assassin by targeting his old mentor’s lower back with a wicked backbreaker.
HBK writhed in agony as Triple H relentless pinpointed that bulls-eye, intent on breaking him in two, especially with another backbreaker over a folded steel chair. By the time he grabbed his trusted sledgehammer, it appeared as though Michaels was done for good.
But Michaels would not quit, connecting with Sweet Chin Music through a chair into the face of Triple H. He nipped up to a roar from the crowd, and hit the Game with everything he could muster. Utilizing one of his favorite weapons, the ladder, he busted Triple H open, then followed that up with some memorable offense. A superplex, diving through the Game and a table at ringside and an elbow from the top of the ladder, deep into the black heart of his opponent.
But, HBK missed the crucial superkick, giving Triple H the chance to set up the Pedigree. Yet Michaels reversed it into a jackknife pin, earning one of the most emotional wins of his career and causing to crowd to explode in celebration.
That was, until HBK was dropped to his knees by a sledgehammer strike to the lower back, and then another across the shoulder blades knocked him flat out. The Game left more reviled than ever before.
Callum’s Take: This was a perfect contest from start to finish: a great storyline, brilliant action, weapons, high spots, a returning hero conquers the dastardly villain, the heel gets the last laugh, and the impassioned commentary by Jim Ross. A masterpiece.