WWE: 7 Matches That Were Too Painful To Watch

4. Shawn Michaels vs Triple H - SummerSlam 2002

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsQY1yGc-CE When your favorite wrestler comes back to the ring after four years away, what are you supposed to feel? I remember being scared for Shawn Michaels when he returned at SummerSlam 2002 against Triple H. Of course they knew what they were doing, but for all we knew Michaels could take one bad bump and hurt his back again. We didn't know how much punishment he could take. In his head, I doubt he knew how much either. It's just something you have the experience. Of course, he brought along a huge PPV audience and a hot New York crowd along for the ride. The match featured a lot of moves where Triple H attacked the back of Michaels. Listen to the crowd with the "oooh" and the "aaah" type of reactions to everything. They bought into the story because it wasn't just some wrestling angle. It was a real life story of a heroic wrestler back in the ring after four years. When the match was over, after the huge Michaels win, Hunter attacked with a sledgehammer. Michaels won the World Title three months later at Survivor Series, then wrestled at the next PPV, then the Rumble and then WrestleMania. It was at that point when I could stop worrying as I marveled at Michaels coming back from major back surgery continue his career as the best in-ring performer that ever lived. If you would have told me at SummerSlam 2002 that he would wrestle for another 8 years I wouldn't have believed you, but I'm sure glad that he did.