10 Best Wrestling Rivalries That Kept It All In The Ring
3. The Undertaker Vs. Shawn Michaels
The first Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels feud was characterised by typical Attitude Era goofiness, but their second major rivalry was entirely more straightforward. Kicking off in spring 2009, the premise was simple: ‘Taker had never beaten HBK in a singles match, and Shawn wanted to take 'The Phenom's' WrestleMania streak.
The duo met at 'Mania XXV, producing a near perfect WWE style drama-fest that not only revived their outstanding in-ring chemistry 11 years after their last singles bout, but took it to the next level. ‘Taker won, and the two went their separate way for close to a year, before a vengeful HBK attacked ‘The Deadman’ at Elimination Chamber 2002, costing him the WWE Championship.
Undertaker initially declined Shawn’s offer of a rematch, but accepted when Michaels said he’d retire in defeat. One of the most impressive retirement bouts of all time followed, and while Shawn’s loss was inevitable, it’s hard to imagine a more fitting ending than going out on the back of one of his career’s best matches. A perfect conclusion to a legendary career, and a rivalry built around two transcendent wrestling icons desperate to outdo the other's legacy.