10 Fun Facts About My Trip To WWE WrestleMania 21
6. Shawn Michaels And Kurt Angle Put On A Clinic
The lead up to the Angle and Michaels match at this WrestleMania was exceptional. A highlight was definitely Kurt aping Shawns whole career in a month by beating Marty Jannetty and singing Sexy Kurt" with Sherri. It was a really great, intense rivalry and the expectation was that they'd tear the house down on the night.
When they came out for the match, Id just been to the bathroom and as soon as I realised it was up next, I raced back to my seat. The crowd were split 50/50. I remember a large contingent of the audience on the floor chanting You Screwed Bret to Shawn Michaels and during every heated exchange in the match, fans swayed back and forth from HBK to The Olympic Hero.
My fondest memory is the finish to the match, when Michaels got put in the Ankle Lock and seemed to be writhing on the mat for ages. Shawn did everything in his power to get out of the move as Kurt synched it in further and further. HBK finally tapped and Kurt Angle had beaten Shawn clean in the middle of the ring at WrestleMania.
Maybe the Shawn Michaels of 1997 wouldnt have done it, but he showed me and a lot of other fans that night that he was far more secure with his character and legacy, allowing Angle to go over in that manner while delivering the match of the night in the process.