10 Must-See Shawn Michaels Royal Rumble Performances
3. 1995 - Royal Rumble Match
Probably the most fondly remembered of all of his Royal Rumble exploits, Shawn's 1995 end-to-end victory still remains a talking point at this time of year, and for obvious reasons doesn't have to share the spotlight with fellow #1 entrant winner Chris Benoit.
Ignoring the fact that combatants in '95 entered every thirty seconds (ostensibly to make it the most 'exciting' Rumble ever, but really to hide the fact that WWE had it's smallest and most talent-shy roster ever at that point), Shawn's real achievement was carrying the entire Rumble alongside #2 entrant Davey Boy Smith.
A curious case of two talents stage-managing an entire roster, Bulldog and Michaels were required to commence proceedings, repeatedly tussle in the middle, then close out the contest when the rest of the rabble had been disposed of.
Effectively working a thirty minute match with occasional interruptions, the two were phenomenal in their roles right to the last, as Davey Boy celebrated what he thought was the win whilst Michaels famously tiptoed his way out of trouble and dumped the Bulldog for the dramatic victory.
Gloating post-match with a bored-looking Pamela Anderson, Michaels had etched his name in history nonetheless, and his time as a true headliner had finally begun.