10 Best WWE Career-Threatening Matches Ever

It is quite amazing to think that Shawn Michaels' in-ring return at SummerSlam 2002 against Triple H was merely meant to be a one-off, but because he fared so well inside the squared circle that night, he came back for another match. And then another. And then one more run turned into eight more years.

In those eight years, he contested classics with John Cena, Chris Jericho, and Kurt Angle, but perhaps his most storied rival was none other than The Undertaker. His heartbreaking loss to The Deadman at WrestleMania XXV was enough to drive him into an early retirement, but he had to prove to himself one last time before he hung up the boots for good that he could beat Undertaker at WrestleMania.

In order for Undertaker to go through with the rematch at WrestleMania XXVI, HBK had to agree to put his career on the line. And he did. It was a risk he was willing to take if it meant getting another crack at the Streak, and despite a valiant effort (and several superkicks), he once again fell short of beating The Phenom at The Show of Shows.

Not only was the match an absolute gem, but what makes this the greatest career-threatening match ever is how Michaels has not wrestled since. He has stayed true to his promise of not stepping inside the ring again for a match, and his final farewell couldn't have been better handled.