Every WWE Wrestler Of The Year For The 2000s
2. 2008 - Shawn Michaels
Key maches: Vs. Ric Flair (WrestleMania XXIV), Chris Jericho (Judgement Day, Unforgiven & No Mercy)
Edge and The Undertaker came close but, in 2008, Shawn Michaels showed the world once again that he was the wrestling equivalent of a fine wine, just getting better and better with age. The man was astounding all year, consistently delivering the goods between the ropes in matches and also doing a positively A-one job of generating interest in storylines.
The most significant moment of his first six months was, undoubtedly, his match with Ric Flair, in which he retired the former 16-time world champion. It was an incredibly emotional moment that will live out on in highlight reels for decades to come. The match itself was well lead by HBK, whom even The Nature Boy concedes might just be the greatest of all-time.
His retiring Flair had consequences which lead directly to programmes with Batista and then Chris Jericho. The Batista dispute was fine, but the Jericho storyline was something else. Originally intended to be a short feud, the two were so good together and made such an impact in their angles and matches, that WWE decided to run with it long-term.
There were so many highlights. Y2J snapping and throwing HBK through the Jeritron, erm, whatever number it was; Jericho accidentally decking Michaels' wife at SummerSlam when The Showstopper was about to retire; their awesome matches at Unforgiven (unsanctioned) and No Mercy (ladder).
It was the feud of the year and Michaels was the best wrestler of the year. In televised matches, Michaels looked good also and although his momentum tapered off come December, he was able to bounce back in '09 with what some say was the greatest match in WrestleMania/WWE history. He wasn't the best overall performer that year, though. No, that distinction went to someone else...