Arguably the best feud of the 2000s, Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho waged an intensely personal war with each other that resulted in some of the hardest-hitting, bloody brawls of the decade, not to mention a sweet pic of Jericho clad in what can best be described as something an '80s wrestling-obsessed cat would puke up. Jericho, as it turned out, idolized Michaels growing up in Winnipeg and emulated him whenever the opportunity presented itself, from his in-ring work to his poorly-conceived garb. When he had the opportunity to work with him, however, he realized what a lying, cheating douchebag Michaels could be, something every guy to walk through a WWE locker room in the 1990s could have told ol' Y2J had he bothered to ask. Disappointed by the revelation that his friend was not the hero he held to high standards, Jericho turned on him, viciously and violently assaulting him and nearly forcing him into retirement. Now, it was Jericho who was less-than heroic as began targeting HBK's family. At SummerSlam in August 2008, he punched Rebecca, Michaels' wife, much to the shock and awe of the Indianapolis fans. Sure, it was an accident but would that stop you royally effing up the day of the man that hit your loved one? Didn't think so. At Unforgiven in September, Michaels brutalized Jericho to the point that the referee stopped the unsanctioned match. Y2J was left bloodied, a nasty cut on his elbow and his body battered and bruised. He would have the last laugh, however, as he entered the World Heavyweight Championship Scramble match later in the evening, a last minute replacement for CM Punk, and win the title. A month later, he furthered the insult, defeating Michaels in a Ladder match to retain. That match, at No Mercy in October, proved to be the end of the rivalry, much to the dismay of fans who loved watching two men bludgeon one another for their enjoyment. Sickos.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
