Shawn Michaels: Why He's The Greatest WWE Superstar Of All-Time

Shawn Michaels did all that could possibly be done through a WWE career. In 25 years, Michaels was the first Grand Slam Champion, won Royal Rumbles where he was the first man in and last out, etc.

Michaels was a man of many "firsts" during his career. Michaels was the first man to compete in a Ladder Match at WrestleMania X against Razor Ramon. According to Ric Flair, Michaels basically "had a match with a ladder."

His Iron Man Match at WrestleMania XII was also a first and one of the greatest matches ever, bar none. Michaels's unforgettable entrance into that match via zip-line was special too. It was there that Shawn's "Boyhood Dream" came true.

Also, he was the first to compete in a vicious Hell in a Cell Match. He did so against a man that became synonymous with this match, The Undertaker. Later, on in his return in 2002, he became the first man to compete in and win an Elimination Chamber Match. 

In the ring and as a character, Michaels could do many things and make you feel a plethora of emotions. Notably, he could make you laugh and cry. In addition, he could make you cheer or boo.  

One thing that he always did, whether you like him or not, was entertain.  

If you had a ticket to a WWE show and Shawn Michaels was on the card, you knew that you were going to get a 5-star quality performance. Even up to his final stretch with the company, Michaels always gave an honest 100 percent.  

In the early days, Shawn Michaels was a huge partier and cocky kid with an abundance of talent. Together with Marty Jannetty as a member of The Rockers, their careers took off together through various wrestling promotions.  

The Rockers' destiny was in Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Federation. There, they reached new fame together, but a change was needed. Then, the Barber Shop incident happened, and boom, Shawn Michaels's career exploded.

From that point on, Michaels led a different life in wrestling and became a hero to many. He was popular with women and children across the world, and was a hard-working champion. His potential was sky high, and Michaels never looked back.

Feuds with bigger guys like Sid Vicious, Diesel, Undertaker, etc. highlighted that time period for him. His feud(s) with the Undertaker were memorable, and some of the best ever. Those two guys were made for another in the ring. Michaels's uncanny ability to go up against bigger and stronger guys on a nightly basis was admirable.

Michaels later lost a lot of respect with people after the "Montreal Screwjob." While he may have done the unpopular thing, it was right for the business. Michaels won the title and didn't let Bret Hart walk to WCW with the WWF Title. 

Later on, he would become a member of the loved/hated DeGeneration X with Triple H and Chyna. This stable was hilarious, innovative and crude. They were so politically incorrect that it was mind-boggling. Their famous skits were classic for the time, and shaped the direction of the WWF during that time and a whole generation of wrestling.   

His eventual return to the ring also debuted an entirely different, rededicated person. Michaels was now a "Man of God", and steered his life in a different way. He still was a risk-taker in the ring, but now a family man at home.  

This evolution from a boy into a man is remarkable. It marks one of the best turnarounds in wrestling history from a personal standpoint. People don't realize just how bad Michaels's life was with his drug addictions and drinking problems in his youth.  

Two unforgettable WrestleMania matches with the Undertaker were the topper of an outstanding career for Michaels. At WrestleMania 26, in their second match, Michaels was oh so close to ending Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania. This "Streak vs. Career" Match came at the expense of the greatest wrestling career of all-time.  

There is no reason to think anything else but that Shawn Michaels is the greatest WWE Superstar in history. There's never been a better in-ring performer in wrestling history.