WWE Survivor Series: Ranking the 10 Greatest Matches

6) Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton (2007)

One of the big reasons that the Heartbreak Kid was the best at was telling a story in the ring. In fact, he would state it as one of the things he focused on throughout his career and one of the best examples of that was at the 2007 Survivor Series when he was not allowed to use the Sweet Chin Music in his WWE Championship match against Randy Orton.

Therefore, we would see Michaels bring some different moves to the ring that he hadn’t seen in a while since this was his second run in the WWE as a more grizzled veteran than what he used to be as the young highflyer. For example, Michaels applied the Sharpshooter to Orton at one point in the match. Not only that, but he also used the crossface and ankle lock for additional submission attempts – almost like odes to some of his best matches in the past.

Near the end of the match, you could see several times where Michaels would almost pull the trigger because of how used to giving his patented superkick, including in the final moments when he stopped himself. The pause was enough to allow Orton to hit his RKO for the win. While he didn’t win the match, Michaels would still give Orton Sweet Chin Music to end the night.

The Michaels-Orton match was proof to the old saying that you could teach an old dog new tricks as HBK showed that he would continue to add to his arsenal in an effort to continue to improve.

Next: No. 5