WWE - Shawn Michaels: 5 Awesome Matches And 5 That Sucked

2. Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon - Ladder Match, Wrestlemania X, March 20th 1994

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RM33CphV8I Perhaps the match that made Michaels the Wrestlemania Icon he would be known as for the rest of his career, the "first ever" (actually second) ladder match in the WWF's history saw Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon face off, in an effort to determine who the real Intercontinental Champion was. Ramon had taken the belt in a tournament following Michaels' suspension in late 1993; upon returning, Michaels brought Diesel along with him and set about crowning himself the true undisputed champion. What made this match so exciting was how innovative it was - and how it still holds up in a time when ladder matches, TLC, Money in the Bank etc. are much more commonplace. While spots like Michaels springing off the ladder for a splash may seem tame compared to some seen in the modern era, it still is an incredible physical feat. This was HBK arguably at his very best athletically, whilst Razor's popularity was probably at its peak. The crowd reactions to both throughout the match are electric and deservedly so. The match tells a good story; Diesel is thrown out early on, but Michaels seems to maintain the advantage at most points. They utilise the environment well, brawling all over the ringside area, but it's only when the ladder is really introduced that they seem to really start taking it up a notch. The mentality to the match shows; Ramon knows that Michaels is unlikely to stay down after he is launched in to the ladder and out of the ring, so he goes outside to punish him more. It's only when Shawn gets too cocky and after too many flashy moves that, when he starts to climb the ladder, he ultimately seals his fate. Ramon shoves him off the top and in a now all too familiar spot, Michaels lands crotch first on the top rope. It's when he falls off and traps his leg that Razor is finally able to take advantage and win the match - an ingenious way of making both men look good, with Michaels only being beaten by "chance" and the fact that Diesel was removed early on in the match. If you've never seen this match, then you owe it to yourself to watch it in its entirety, as it's truly an incredible showing by both men and really has set the standard for any other "speciality" match to live up to.