WWE: 5 Best Shawn Michaels WrestleMania Matches
2. Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon - Ladder Match - Wrestlemania X
Shawn Michaels may not have yet adopted the nickname of Mr Wrestlemania or the hideous ass-less chaps, but by 1994 it was clear that he was well on his way to the pinnacle of the then World Wrestling Federation.
This is the match that fast-tracked his ascension and made it abundantly clear to everyone watching that the Heartbreak Kid was ready to carry the company on his shoulders.
Just under sixth months prior to the ten year anniversary of Wrestlemania Shawn Michaels was stripped of the Intercontinental Championship and suspended after a much disputed drugs test.
With Michaels suspended a twenty man battle royal was held on the 11th October 1993 episode of Monday Night Raw; the last two superstars remaining would then square off the next week on Raw for the Intercontinental Championship.
Defeating the Model Rick Martel it would be long-time friend and fellow Kliq member Scott Razor Ramon Hall who ended up the victor and being crowned the new Intercontinental champion.
Upon returning from his suspension the future Showstopper claimed that he was still the rightful champion having never been defeated. Rather inevitably on screen president Jack Tunney decided that there could only be one true champion and this would be decided in the first ever ladder match.
Despite the WWEs claims of this being the first match of its kind the ladder match has roots dating as far back as the mid 1970s in Canadas Stampede Wrestling. In fact it was two years prior to this Wrestlemania classic that Michaels himself and rather fittingly Stampede wrestling stalwart Bret Hart contested what is truly the first WWE ladder match.
Even with the obvious talents at hand this 1992 effort was a rather tedious affair with the ladder concept seemingly bewildering both the competitors.
Showing how quickly time changes, just two years removed Michaels and Razor crafted the Wrestlemania X ladder match; it is a work of art that to this day stands out as one of the most influential matches in wrestling history.
In a match which would unknowingly set the tone for a number of Jeff Hardys ill-advised attempts of death by assistance with a regular household item. Shawn and Razor battled it out for 25 minutes using the ladder in ways originally not though possible inside the squared circle.
The defining moment of this battle is still shown today on WWE highlight reels; stood almost 8 foot above the ring Shawn leapt of the top of the ladder with a splash that would make Jimmy Superfly Snuka proud.
20 years removed its still probably the best ladder match in company history.