This was a typical wresting storyline with a best friend turning on his buddy to set up a bloody feud. The difference with this one is that when Triple H turned on Michaels it was at a time in Michaels' career where he hadn't wrestled for four years. It was the attack by Triple H that brought him back to the ring. When they had the match at SummerSlam 2002 we didn't know if it was the only match Michaels would have or if he would have more. Every bump he took worried the fans. We thought he might hurt his surgically repaired back again. Instead, he found a way to win a classic brawl. Then Hunter was mad about it, so he attacked him with a sledgehammer. Shawn came back to win the World Title from Triple H in the first Elimination Chamber match at Survivor Series, which was an amazing moment. Then he dropped it to Hunter at the next PPV. They also had one of the best Raw matches ever in December 2003 as they decided to start up the rivalry again. Their rivalry continued in 2004 as well, which also involved Chris Benoit. They produced two amazing triple threat matches at WrestleMania 20 and Backlash. Then Hunter had another singles match with Shawn, this time in a Hell in a Cell match that went nearly an hour. They ended their careers as friends, but their feud in the first half of the decade was some of the best work of both of their careers.
John wrote at WhatCulture from December 2013 to December 2015. It was fun, but it's over for now. Follow him on Twitter @johnreport. You can also send an email to mrjohncanton@gmail.com with any questions or comments as well.
