We can all remember the scene, Shawn Michaels in the middle of the ring on his knees clutching the WWE Championship title, and Vince McMahon on commentary saying "The boyhood dream comes true!" Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart competed for over an hour in this Iron Man Match, and it was executed brilliantly, as these two competitors gave it their all. The wrestling industry changed for the better after Shawn Michaels was crowned the WWE Heavyweight Champion that night. Michaels was not the biggest wrestler in the WWE, but his in ring abilities and his persona are what made him the champion. At that time, most of the emphasis was placed on the size of the wrestler, as you needed to be close to 7 feet tall and 350 pounds in order to be considered the heavyweight champion. Guys like Michaels were considered smaller, were used on the mid-card, and usually their fate would be to become the Intercontinental Champion. After this win by Michaels, the emphasis was now placed on the wrestler's in ring abilities and not just their genetic size. If it wasn't for Shawn Michaels, guys like Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero and Edge would have never become WWE Champions.
