15. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels - WrestleMania XXVI
Shawn Michaels' loss to The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXV awoke an obsession within the Heartbreak Kid, an obsession with doing what no other man had ever done before: defeat The Phenom on the grandest stage known to sports entertainment. For months, he allowed the frustration of his defeat at the hands of the Deadman overcome him, leading to the split of D-Generation X and him costing Undertaker the World Heavyweight Championship at Elimination Chamber, an uncharacteristic move from the typically babyface Michaels. With no other choice but to accept the challenge of his persistent rival, Undertaker demanded that ol' HBK put his career on the line in their second straight 'Mania encounter. Michaels accepted the condition and the wrestling world prepared itself for the second straight classic between the two. In front of a sellout in Phoenix, Undertaker planted a defiant Michaels with the Tombstone piledriver and sent him packing, his Hall of Fame career, and their epic rivalry, over. As Michaels embraced Undertaker, then walked up the entrance ramp for the last time, longtime fans could not help but feel as though an era of professional wrestling had 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.
