WWE SummerSlam’s Greatest Ever Performers
WWE.com
10. Shawn Michaels
Record: 6 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw, 3 Title Matches, 3 Main Events
Memorable Moment: Emotional return in 2002
He might be Mr. WrestleMania, but that doesn’t mean that Shawn Michaels didn’t give plenty of attention to SummerSlam throughout his illustrious career. Arguably the greatest overall performer in the history of WWE, HBK made many stops at the summer spectacular, from his days as part of the Rockers tag team with Marty Jannetty, all the way to being one of the most respected and celebrated veteran’s at his final showing at the event in 2009. Wherever Michaels performed fans were assured of a treat, but one could be assured of that when SummerSlam came around.
Michaels first appeared at the second ever SummerSlam in 1989, in a six-man tag loss alongside Jannetty and Tito Santana. Michaels’ appearances as a Rocker did not prove very successful, as the partnership again fell short the following year against Power and Glory. When he stepped out into the spotlight alone as the Heartbreak Kid, more success was found. It had humble beginnings, a no contest with Rick Martel in 1992, but was followed up by defending his Intercontinental Championship successfully against Mr Perfect. In 1995 Michaels and Razor Ramon once again stole the show in a ladder match for that coveted belt, with Michaels this time victorious, and the next year he was successfully defending the WWE Championship against Vader.
This would prove to be the final time HBK graced a SummerSlam ring for six whole years as a competitor after a serious back injury. But Michaels made his stunning return at this very event in 2002, crafting a magical street fight between him and Triple H that displayed he was still one of the greatest to step the ropes. HBK’s return became permanent off the back of that incredible bout, but he would feature in two of the next three SummerSlam main events, the Elimination Chamber of 2003 and the Icon vs Icon loss to Hulk Hogan in 2005. Michaels’ final two matches at the event would be similar to his first, as part of a tag team, as he and Triple H reformed DX to beat the McMahons (2006) and Legacy (2009).
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