10 Must-See Shawn Michaels Royal Rumble Performances
'The Icon'. 'The Showstopper'. 'The Main Event'. Mr...Royal Rumble?
Though he'd adopt the 'Mr Wrestlemania' moniker in later years, it could be argued that Shawn Michaels actually built his legacy with some hugely impressive Royal Rumble showings.
Whether entering the thirty-man match itself or dazzling on the undercard, 'The Showstopper' rarely had a bad night when working the fabled January tradition, and despite being one of the more famous Rumble winners in WWE lore, he always found ways to be as entertaining on the losing end of the famous Battle Royal as he was in victory.
Over his twenty-plus years with WWE, Michaels would put in several eye-popping Rumble displays including many that don't look out of place amongst the greatest moments of his remarkable career.
So as he makes his latest return to WWE amidst the excitement of the 2017 edition of the show, here are 10 Must-See Shawn Michaels Royal Rumble Performances.
10. 2003 - Royal Rumble Match
One of the shorter Royal Rumble stints for the 'Heartbreak Kid', the brutal two-and-a-half minute beating he took from fierce rival Chris Jericho was a fabulous start to the year's Rumble match, and provided the perfect set-up for their legendary Wrestlemania 19 clash.
Entering as #1 in an homage to his 1995 Rumble victory, Shawn was willing to go the distance again to earn another shot at the World Title he'd lost one month previous, but that would raise the ire of a rapidly unravelling Chris Jericho, who fumed at the ego and confidence Michaels exhibited since his miraculous summer 2002 return.
Earning the right to select his own number, Jericho obnoxiously chose #2, insisting that he would stay the course, and would happily steamroll Rumble legend Michaels to do it.
In an unexpected twist, Jericho would violently make good on his threat.
Using Christian as a distraction, 'Y2J' low-blowed Michaels from behind to start the match, bloodying him with a steel chair and coldly disposing of him before entrant #3 Chris Nowinski had even entered the fray.
A deranged HBK would return later in the match to cause Jericho's elimination after nearly forty minutes, officially kicking off the duo's road to Wrestlemania immortality.