10 Best Shawn Michaels WWE WrestleMania Matches

1. Vs. The Undertaker - WrestleMania XXV

There wasn't much storyline behind The Undertaker versus Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXV. HBK won the right to challenge The Streak by beating JBL and then Vladimir Kozlov, before the pair engaged in some half-hearted mind games in the weeks leading up to the big show. 

But this was a match that really didn't need any, as there was plenty of storyline already built in, the entrances themselves telling the tale as Michaels descended from above in white while 'Taker ascended from below in black. 

It was light against dark, good versus evil, two legends battling to see who was the best on the biggest stage. Mr. WrestleMania against the man who never lost at that event. 

And it was incredible, especially so considering it was their first major singles match against each other in over a decade and they were put out there third from last. 

Really, this should have closed the show, and I'm sure in hindsight that WWE would make that call if they could do it over. 

The action built and built as the pace increased, though the match nearly ended prematurely when Sim Snuka masquerading as a cameraman failed to catch The Phenom as he attempted his spectacular over-the-top-rope dive. 

What a Deuce-bag, honestly...

Thankfully, 'Taker was able to continue, because it was time to trade finishers. The Chokeslam couldn't get it done, neither could the Sweet Chin Music. No such luck with the Last Ride or Tombstone, either, the latter producing one of the best kickouts in WWE history, before that spot became a trope. 

What is all came down to was two old warhorses duking it out until Shawn made a mistake and went for a Moonsault, only to be caught and drilled with the definitive Tombstone. 

A pro wrestling masterclass, this first Michaels/Undertaker encounter stands as one of the best WrestleMania matches ever, as well as one of the best bouts of either man's career. 

The only downside was that nobody (least of all Triple H and Randy Orton) could follow it.