9. Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels At WrestleMania XXV
Every once in a while, there is a match so epic, so absolutely outstanding that it makes you proud to say that you are a wrestling fan. On April 5, 2009, Undertaker added Shawn Michaels to his WrestleMania graveyard by defeating the Heartbreak Kid in a match universally considered an instant classic. The drama and excitement that resulted from some of the greatest nearfalls and false finishes ever seen were as instrumental to the success and quality of the match as anything done by the wrestlers themselves. Considering everything they did do, that is quite the statement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwguV57Wl2E Undertaker threw caution to the wind, sailing over the top rope and nearly breaking his neck as he crashed into the arena floor. Michaels, ever the storyteller, used body language and facial expressions to portray the frequent frustration, the occasional confidence and the overwhelming power of the Deadman. By the time Michaels dove off the top rope with a moonsault and was caught by Undertaker, who planted him with a Tombstone, fans had been taken on an emotional roller coaster ride that ended with the Undertaker celebrating yet another victory on wrestlings biggest stage. So successful was the match, so critically acclaimed was the bout that like any great Hollywood blockbuster, a sequel was ordered immediately. At WrestleMania XXVI, they delivered another outstanding match, though the result would be the same and Michaels career would come to an end.
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.
