The rivalry between these two former World Champions began when they both were out to claim the number one spot in the Royal Rumble. This spurred a series of interferences in each others’ matches, verbal taunts and sneak attacks with all signs pointing to Seattle, Washington as the battle ground for these two to resolve their differences. They both had something to prove on ‘the grandest stage of them all’, as Chris Jericho felt that his skills had now surpassed those of his childhood idol, the Heartbreak Kid, and Michaels was out to prove that he still had the heart and the athletic ability to solidify his legend status.

Safeco Field welcomed the ‘Showstopper’ Michaels back to his first Wrestlemania since losing the, then WWF Championship to Stone Cold Steve Austin five years prior. After his always grandiose ring entrance he met Jericho face to face in the middle of the ring in front of over 54,000 fans, filling the stadium with “H-B-K!” chants that would only feed the ego of the Heartbreak Kid as he ily engaged in a series of grapples and counter holds with Jericho before doing his trademark ‘lay on the top ropes’ in the corner of the ring, signalling to Jericho to ‘bring it on’. Jericho’s ego was at a fever pitch as well, constantly mouthing off to Shawn that he is ‘better than him’ and that he will ‘end his career’ as the two further engaged in some ground based hold, and counter hold combinations ending with the two men still standing face to face in the centre of the ring, earning some gratifying applause from the Seattle crowd.

The traditional wrestling holds and moves that had dominated the match thus far came to an abrupt end when Jericho, after coming off the ropes, slapped Shawn Michaels across the face, prompting Shawn to smack him in the jaw and toss him outside of the ring before launching at Jericho with kicks and aerial attacks. Jericho countered these with some fast paced offence of his own before getting caught in, and quickly reversing the figure four leg lock. Following this again was some amazing move and counter move combinations, including some trademark offence by both superstars such as Shawn Michaels hurricanrana-ing Jericho over the top rope and Y2J putting Michaels in the Walls of Jericho outside of the ring. Following this, Jericho decided to work on the formerly injured back of HBK, ramming his back into the steel ring post before glorifying himself in the middle of the ring, screaming “I’m the king of the world” to a chorus of boos from the crowd. After continuing to play on the weakness of Michaels’ back, Jericho went for the first pinfall of the match in true arrogant Jericho-style, with one foot on HBK’s chest, flexing his pythons only to have the Showstopper kick out after a two count.