10 Amazing WWE Breakout Performances

8. Mankind (Vs. Shawn Michaels) - In Your House: Mind Games

Before going to WWE, Mick Foley had already had a career full of 'breakout' performances. 

His match with Sting at WCW's Beach Blast in 1992 springs to mind. So too does his flesh-scarring efforts in 95's King of the Deathmatch for IWA Japan. 

But the WWE audience, by and large, didn't really know about these and, besides, Mankind was a completely new character. The character got off on the right foot, attacking and starting a feud with The Undertaker on his first night in, which resulted in grand matches at King of the Ring and SummerSlam.

The gimmick was a hit and Foley was committed to it completely but, despite having some very good matches, he was yet to have a great one in WWE rings. 

Step up the dependable Shawn Michaels, WWE Champion and Mankind's opponent at the In Your House: Mind Games event. 

The match wasn't exactly the recipient of a long, strong build or anything like that, and it was just, on paper at least, an arbitrary IYH show and the match something for both to do in-between other rivalries. 

Perhaps WWE's best bout of the year, Michaels versus Mankind was a barnburner that came from absolutely nowhere, practically saving what had been a rather blah show to that point. 

A tremendous showcase for Foley and all his masochistic barbarism, this also helped HBK, who to some was still viewed as a pretty boy who may not have been as tough as WWE Champions past. 

The disqualification ending was a bit of a downer, yes, but that doesn't detract from the performances of both in what was, essentially, Mankind's coming-out party.