10 Matches WWE Could HONESTLY Call ‘The Greatest Ever’
7. Razor Ramon Vs Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 10)
Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels revived the lost art of telling a singles story in a Ladder Match with their climactic No Mercy 2008 battle, but they were victims of their own success for the sheer scale of repetition required for them to get there. 'HBK's WrestleMania 10 battle with Razor Ramon was only overplayed to the wrestlers themselves after weeks of practice on the house show circuit. To the audience inside Madison Square Garden and watching on pay-per-view, they'd made utter magic.
Phenomenal wrestlers without a gimmick, the pair were equally exceptional with a gimmick. The ladder was both the pathway to glory and the ultimate implement of their destruction, particularly for an increasingly vicious Michaels as he resorted to the weaponry as a replacement for his interfering bodyguard Diesel's early exit.
Driven to equal Shawn's ferocity but still keen most on claiming what he knew was his, Razor was atypically empathetic on the sell. Such sympathy was yet more uncharted territory for 'The Bad Guy', but it was impossible not to get behind the bruised Champion as he yelped and screamed in pain after wicked ladder shots to the back and head by the savage challenger. Ramon hadn't underestimated Michaels' ability, but had neglected to consider his violent desperation.
Upfront confidence betrays the relief in Razor's eyes as he stands atop the ladder with both his own and Michaels' imposter title belt following his heroic victory. He'd endured a war not with the chickensh*t that first assaulted him, but a man willing to prove his worth.