20 Best WWE Matches Since 2000
18. Ric Flair Vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 24)
In pure wrestling terms, this match isn't as technically brilliant as the others on our list. Flair missed a lot of spots throughout, and most notably failed to catch Michaels on a Moonsault to the outside. The Nature Boy was pushing 60 at the time, and while Michaels was still in the form of his life, this contest was far from flawless.
Does it matter? Not really. If wrestling was about nothing more than flawless technique, its audience would be minuscule. Technicality obviously plays a part, but emotion, drama, and storytelling are just as (if not more) important, and this match had all three in abundance.
This was supposed to be Flair's last match. Michaels talked a big game about wanting to retire him in the build-up, but when the time came to put Ric away, HBK just couldn't stomach it. He choked on multiple occasions, and as Flair reached into every corner of his bag of old tricks (the referee distractions, cheap shots, and cocky heel tactics), they built to one of the most memorable conclusions in WrestleMania history.
HBK's internal struggle finally came to a head. In what has become an iconic 'Mania moment, Shawn looked up to Flair, uttered "I'm sorry, I love you," and finally put him away with one last Sweet Chin Music. Flair would of course go on to sully this "retirement match" by competing again in TNA, but in the moment, his match with Michaels was perfect.