1. Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton (WWE Championship Match - 2007)
The return of Shawn Michaels in the fall of 2007 ignited the second chapter of the rival between he and WWE champion Randy Orton that unfolded the previous May. At Cyber Sunday in May, Orton got himself intentionally disqualified, thus retaining his title via technicality. A rematch between the heated rivals was booked for the Survivor Series pay-per-view, with one catch: Michaels was forbidden from using his Sweet Chin Music finishing maneuver. Executing the maneuver would lead to his immediate disqualification and the champion would retain his title yet again. Down his greatest weapon in the war with Orton, Michaels would have to call back two decades worth of experience to knock off The Viper if he was to leave Miami with the WWE Championship and a measure of revenge against his tormentor. He did, too, pulling out the Sharpshooter (learned during his days or working Bret Hart), the ankle lock (a move used on him by Kurt Angle) and the crossface (picked up from wrestling Chris Benoit) in an attempt to wrest the title away from his opponent. No matter what he tried, though, Orton escaped and continued his title defense. Unfortunately for Michaels, it was a brief lapse in judgment as he tried for Sweet Chin Music but stopped himself, only to suffer the RKO from Orton that proved his downfall. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3j31r_survivor-series-2007-randy-orton-vs_news The match was a critical success, and rightfully so. The storytelling and the in-ring psychology were executed to perfection. The finish was brilliance and really put Orton over as a cerebral and attentive wrestler, who recognized an opening and took advantage of it rather than allowing it to pass by and risk losing his title moments later. Despite every huge push or big-match situation he had been part of in the weeks leading into the show, it was the match with Michaels and the booking contained within that finally led to his arrival as an elite performer. An absolute must-see match for fans of either guy or in-ring storytelling.
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.
