There was a huge question mark hanging over Shawn Michaels' health going into SummerSlam 2002. It was his first match in over four years since suffering what was thought to be a career-ending back injury. And it was at a major PPV, in a featured position, against one of the company's top stars. No pressure, Shawn. HBK had originally wanted to have a very gimmicked match with Vince McMahon, since he knew that there would be no expectation for it to be good, but he was roped into working the match with Triple H, instead. The Game and The Showstopper went to WWE headquarters to practice their match during the week before their clash, but Michaels decided to just do it in the ring instead after running the ropes and taking a couple of bumps. Triple H and Michaels caught lightning in a bottle that night. Their unsanctioned street fight was the best match of the show and one of the best matches of the year, period. Michaels looked and moved like he'd never been away from the ring and took some big bumps. He felt fine afterwards. Is this the best (televised) WWE match to ever take place at the historic Nassau Coliseum? It's a hard one to beat, in terms of sheer emotion, story and timing.
