10 Dirtiest Players In WWE History

10. Shawn Michaels

Shawn Michaels' turn on long-time partner Marty Jannetty is now rightfully eulogised as one of the finest moments in a legendary career, but his maiden run as a heel in the immediate aftermath is a forgotten by-product of the brutal assault.

Embracing every aspect of what it meant to be a scumbag heel in 1992, Shawn was a revelation as a narcissistic boy toy, strutting to the ring with the arrogance of a performer 20 years his senior and the assuredness of the star-in-waiting he truly was.

Between the ropes, he sacrificed the flashy style he'd return to as a babyface to embrace his position as a total chickensh*t. Acutely understanding the dynamics of his role, he'd back off and back down, only to strike at a moment's notice, usually with a closed fist or eye rake if it meant stealing a quicker advantage.

His Intercontinental Title victory over the British Bulldog in November that year was a rewarding assemblage of the act. Zeroing in on Davey Boy Smith's injured back, Michaels was a shark smelling blood for the entirety of the contest, despite constantly having to stick and move against his bigger opponent.

Utilising the environment for evil, he took advantage of a turnbuckle he'd exposed earlier in the bout, ramming Bulldog's back into it, allowing him to fall lifeless on top of the champion during a misguided superplex attempt for a cannily cheap victory.