10 WWE Attitude Era Stars & Their 80s Counterparts

4. Shawn Michaels / Randy Savage

Unquestionably two of the greatest workers of all-time, Randy Savage and Shawn Michaels are probably two of the most popular wrestlers ever and have been the reason many of today's works became wrestlers. Unofficially thought of as the original Mr. WrestleMania during the Hogan Era, the Macho Man put on classic after classic at the yearly Show of Shows before that role would be taken over by Shawn Michaels, the future Mr. WrestleMania. Shawn Michaels came to symbolize a New Generation and one of the pioneers of the Attitude Era. Despite only being an active full time member of the roster for a short span during the adult-oriented era, Michaels' formation of D-Generation X and his classics with Undertaker, Mankind and Bret Hart helped lead the WWF into the top spot of professional wrestling again in the late 90s. Despite being great talkers, it was Shawn and Randy's workrate that stood out the most. Randy and Shawn's in-ring skills, storytelling, and interviews left the audiences glued to their television screens and would position these two as perennial main eventers. Both men were constant leaders for McMahon who looked to Randy to carry his company when Hogan was filming No Holds Barred. Savage was asked to take the top spot again when Hogan would leave following WrestleMania VIII after numerous controversies surrounded the Hulkster. Similary, Shawn was the man called upon by Vince to take the top spot following Bret Hart's temporary departure at WrestleMania XII and his permanent departure at Survivor Series '97. They were also each asked to play the recurring role of commentator alongside Vince McMahon for a length of time. Being of the utmost importance to Vince McMahon throughout their WWF careers, Macho Man Randy Savage and The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels have inspired and will continue to inspire future wrestling superstars all over the world and at their peaks, took a backseat to no one.