4. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels - WrestleMania XXV
The WrestleMania XXV match between Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker is the greatest match of all time. At least Chris Jericho thinks so, as he stated on the 2011 WWE Home Video release "The True Story of WrestleMania," and he has a point. The match unfolded on the biggest stage known to professional wrestling, featured two iconic stars and managed to make the most jaded of fans invest themselves in the action and drama unfolding before their very eyes. 70,000-plus rode the emotional roller coaster with the performers, hanging on every move, every near-fall and ever false finish. The facial expressions and the body language of the performers helped enhance the story. Each gave everything they had in their quest to beat one another and add to their considerable legacies. Michaels blasted Undertaker with a number of superkicks and could have ended the legendary undefeated streak of his opponent, if only the will and determination of his opponent hadn't been so strong. The Phenom had dispatched of some legendary and iconic stars from wrestling's past prior to WrestleMania in 2009 and was not willing to see the iconic streak that he had amassed to that point ended by someone who had been a thorn in his side to the point that Michaels had been throughout his career. With the Heartbreak Kid scaling the ropes for a moonsault attempt, Undertaker positioned himself to catch Michaels, which he did, and proceeded to plant him with the Tombstone piledriver. While the first failed to end HBK's evening, the second did not and the Deadman celebrated another victory at the Show of Shows. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x17ea96_the-undertaker-vs-shawn-michaels-wrestlemania-xxv-2009_sport Fans erupted at the conclusion of the match and wasted little time singing its praises. It was not uncommon for a respected online critic to label the match a five-star affair or for fans to label it the greatest match they had ever seen. Sure, some of it was in the heat of the moment, the drama and excitement of the contest fresh on their minds, but for others, the match easily eclipsed even the most iconic of matches. Undertaker vs. Michaels had climbed into the discussion with Steamboat vs. Savage, Flair vs. Steamboat and Hart vs. Bulldog for greatest match of all-time honors. In an industry where smart marks spend the majority of their days arguing over who was greater and what match was best, there are few mark out moments that can possibly eclipse that. But let's try anyway.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
