Shawn Michaels' 10 Greatest WWE Moments
7. Instant Chemistry With Kurt Angle
It should be a given that two of the greatest wrestlers ever would have one of the greatest WrestleMania matches ever but ask Triple H and Sting, or Triple H and Randy Orton, or Triple H and Roman Reigns, or Triple H and Batista how that worked out. Maybe someone should ask Hunter why his 'Mania entrances are so much better than his matches...
The legends of both Michaels and Angle were enhanced coming out of WrestleMania 21, given that the pair stole the show despite never having wrestled a singles match together before. It seemed like their stars would never align, given Michaels' retirement preceded Angle's rise to his spot at the company's preeminent workhorse.
The story of Angle growing resentful of the relentless praise showered on Michaels upon his return was excellent, and both showed their prowess in translating that story into the in-ring action - a trait lost on many of today's roster.
Shawn struggling and clawing to escape the Ankle Lock in vain is a golden example of how to work up a crowd after a superbly crafted contest built to the end.