10 Best WWE WrestleMania Midcard Title Matches

10. Shawn Michaels Vs Tatanka (WrestleMania IX)

Bathed in the Nevada sun of Caesar’s Palace, Shawn Michaels appeared at his second WrestleMania as a singles star, taking on Tatanka in the opening bout of WrestleMania IX. Going in to the match, Tatanka was riding the wave of an impressive undefeated streak - but the real story revolved around those at ringside.

Sensational Sherri had recently left Michaels after the Heartbreak Kid had put her in harm’s way one too many times. Aligning herself briefly with Tatanka, Sherri added an air of unpredictability to the match that was only bolstered by Michaels’s new valet, Luna Vachon. Vachon was an unknown entity in the WWF. The tension around the ring only helped served the action unfolding within it.

For nearly twenty minutes, Michaels and Tatanka delivered a crisp, hard-hitting match that showcased the trajectory Michaels would take in subsequent years. Tatanka more than held his own and the match remains his best during his spells in the company.

In classic 90’s WWF style, the match was soured by an unsatisfying ending. Michaels was disqualified after putting his hands on the referee, thus retaining his Intercontinental Championship. After the match, Vachon viciously attacked Sherri, setting up an intense rivalry between the two.