2. Gold Rush Tournament Quarter Final: Shawn Michaels vs Shelton Benjamin (May 2nd, 2005)
Everyone remembers the spectacular ending, but from start to finish this bout pitting the reliably brilliant Shawn Michaels against the exhilarating youthful talents of Shelton Benjamin displayed a masterclass of timing, efficiency and execution. Beginning with an animated mat exchange, it was Benjamin who initially took the stuffing out of his opponent by sending him breathless into the ropes. A slighty cocky Benjamin was then put in his place however when Shawn used his experience to scout Benjamin's movements, and transition a rope exchange into a pinfall attempt after Benjamin had attempted to dive underneath his opponents feet too early. The pace picked up from there as Shelton ran wild with clotheslines before landing an in-adverted backbreaker, that was stunningly applied and impeccably sold by the dazed Michaels for a near fall that made a simple move look devastating in its offence. After being thrown around like a rag doll, Shawn then somehow found the energy to down Shelton with a one armed backbodydrop, before setting up the next great spot as a superkick attempt was countered into an Enziguri attempt, upon which Michaels threw away the leg only to see his opponent defensively transition his movements in mid-air, and hit back at Shawn with an electrifying spinning heel kick for another near fall. After giving it everything to try and put away the show stopper, Benajmin kicked up the pace another notch in the final quarter, but this was to prove his undoing as Michaels sent him flying over the ropes and then thought quickly on his feet to superkick Benjamin in the air as he came flying back in his direction from the apron. It was a brilliant, crowd pleasing ending to a flawless match which should have spelled greater things for the supremely talented Benjamin.