20 Best WWE Matches Since 2000
10. Kurt Angle Vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 21)
Kurt Angle + Shawn Michaels + WrestleMania = instant classic.
Both Angle and Michaels stand proudly among the finest athletes to ever set foot inside a WWE ring. Their track records speak for themselves, and as far as great matches go, HBK might have the best resume in the business. He and Kurt gave WWE a number of outstanding performances throughout their careers, and their WrestleMania 21 battle is one of the very best.
They spent the first half of the match with some awesome technical exchanges. Early on, Michaels vs. Angle was all about finding who the best pure wrestler was, but they soon amped-up the brutality. HBK turned the tide with an unseen low blow and an assault on the announce table, but Kurt worked his way back in, and they produced one of the tensest submission finishes WrestleMania has ever seen.
Angle finally seized Michaels in his signature Ankle Lock, but HBK refused to die. He toughed it out, fought against the pain, and did everything he could to reach the ropes... but he just couldn't do it. After what felt like an eternal struggle, HBK had no choice but to tap, and though Angle emerged victorious, Michaels left to a standing ovation.