100 Greatest WWE Matches Of All Time (Ranked)
18. Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XIX)
Daylight was just starting to dim when Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho hit the ring for their expertly told 'master vs. student' tale at WrestleMania XXIV. Seattle's Safeco Field had been bathed in bright ambience and just enough sunlight before that sun went down and dusk ramped up the atmosphere for WWE's biggest annual showcase. In hindsight, going on fifth was the perfect spot for HBK and Y2J.
This was a real dream come true for Jericho in particular. He must've feared he'd never get the opportunity to step between the ropes with the dude who'd inspired him as a youngster, but then Shawn returned to the ring in 2002 and Chris campaigned to work with him. At 'Mania XIX, WWE granted that wish, and Jericho knew he wouldn't disappoint when out there with his very-real idol.
Shawn's peerless ability to sell, sell, sell proved to be glue holding the first half of the match together. That'd come in handy all over again once he and Jericho resumed their rivalry in 2008, but it was on full display back in 2003. This match was a festival of psychology and storytelling, as many had predicted it would be going into the pay-per-view.
Jericho and Michaels were on.
A post-match low blow from the former put more sympathy on the latter, and it made Jericho look like a proper sore loser. What's more, fans in attendance had been fooled by his apparent show of respect to a superior wrestling mind like HBK. Nope. Y2J was having none of that. You should have all of 'Mania XIX though. This bout was a stunner.