10 Best Ways Wrestlers Recovered From WWE WrestleMania Defeats

2. Shawn Michaels

Defeat: A pained Shawn Michaels gamely struggled through his headline performance opposite Steve Austin at 'Mania XIV. Looking back now, it's clear that HBK wasn't exactly on top form. The match, mainly due to his injuries, is one of the most technically mediocre Michaels' bouts on the grand stage, and it's only saved by the twin force of Austin's fire as a babyface and Mike Tyson's celebrity involvement.

Recovery: Over four years would pass before Shawn worked another match - it was very much worth the wait. His heroics at SummerSlam 2002 made everyone forget about so-so runs as a special guest referee and WWF Commissioner, and he'd go on to arguably top his first run before retiring in 2010.

Michaels, somehow, was like a new man.

The credibility of his 'Mania XXVI loss to The Undertaker did take a hit when he returned at Crown Jewel 2018 for one more payday, but no-one can deny that Shawn was a weekly tour de force between 2002-2010. That seemed impossible back in '98 when he visibly grimaced after every bump.