Michaels recovered briefly by countering an attempted spine buster by Jericho with a whiplash DDT before the two both got to their feet, exchanging punches. The minutes that followed would be the extra spice in this match that made it something special, that really highlighted the unique charisma, heart and athletic talent of these two superstars. Seemingly gaining momentum, Michaels whipped Jericho into the ropes, only to have it reversed by Jericho, not only in the form of a flying forearm, but followed by a replication of Shawn Michaels’ trademark ‘nip up’ to his feet. The crowd loved it and the cheeky expression on Jericho’s face showed that this was not only personal, but it was more than just a bout of athleticism, this match war a battle of egos and charisma. Adding insult to injury he followed this by copying another of Michaels trademark moves as he bent his knees and flexed his arms in the middle of the ring, only to have Michaels nip up from behind him, blowing the roof off Safeco field as Michaels launched into a series of strikes and slams on Y2J before moonsaulting him into an attempted pinfall.
What followed was a series of near falls administered by both parties involving HBK kicking out of the Lionsault and Jericho countering a hurricanrana into the Walls of Jericho. This series of moves ended with Michaels down in the middle of the ring and Jericho in the corner, stomping his foot to indicate, in another act of imitation of the Heartbreak Kid, that Jericho’s version of the Sweet Chin Music was on its way. After kicking out of a big time Y2J Sweet Chin Music, Michaels got back on the offensive, flying off the ropes, introducing Jericho to the steel ring post and reversing a Jericho-initiated back drop off the top rope, landing on top of the self proclaimed ‘King of the World’. After throwing Y2J face first off the top turnbuckle, HBK hit another signature move in his arsenal, smashing Jericho with a flying elbow off the top rope.
Upon ‘tuning up the band’ to hit Jericho with the real Sweet Chin Music, Jericho ducked, catching Shawn again in the Walls of Jericho with Michaels again reaching the bottom rope. In a frustrated fit of rage as to the resiliency of the Heartbreak Kid, Jericho ran full steam at Michaels, only to get cracked with the superkick intended for him only moments before. Jericho kicked out, but it would not be long before a series of reversals by both superstars would see an unaware Y2J get caught in a roll up pin for the three count, giving the victory to Shawn Michaels.
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