The Rewind - Shawn Michaels Vs. Chris Jericho (Wrestlemania XIX)
Wrestlemania has been an event that's legacy has grown based on those classically memorable 'Wrestlemania Moments'. Now, I can't say that this week's Rewind Match of the Week possessed any of those classic Wrestlemania moments that we see in the pre-event video montages each year, Brock Lesnar's botched shooting star press was WM XIX's contribution to that. However, it was a really amazing match between two legends of the sport, the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho.
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 cockily 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.
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.
Seattle could do nothing but appreciate the amazing heart, resilience and will of both Michaels and Jericho, as the crowd stayed on their feet cheering both the victor and the loser as they both got to their feet, exhausted and emotional. Michaels extended his hand to Jericho, to which Jericho came up and hugged HBK, thanking him for the hard fought match they had both endured. Well, at least that's what everybody thought as Jericho would still stay sour about losing the contest by kicking Shawn below the belt in mid hug, pushing HBK to the ground and leaving the ring in a fit of rage.
The Outlaw's Opinion
I don't need to see Shawn Michaels' Iron Man Match with Bret Hart or Chris Jericho's feuds with Chris Benoit, Triple H or The Rock to understand why these two wrestlers will be considered two greats of their time? this match to me sums up exactly why. Not only did it possess incredible athleticism and excellent mat-based wrestling, but it incorporated charisma, ego and attitude to really give what was happening in the ring personality. Personally, Chris Jericho has always been one of my favourite wrestlers when it comes to entertaining the fans. It's not just how athletic he is or his ability at submission and hold and counter hold wrestling, but it's the attitude he brings to the game on the mic, in his entrance and the way he goes about spicing things up in the ring. He didn't have a Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley to grope and kiss in this match or wrestler like The Rock or Austin to talk trash to? He did however, commandeer classic moves from the Michaels playbook and mock the legend. Those who supported Jericho loved it and those who hated Jericho loved it. It was his cheeky confidence that came with being a bad guy that secretly everyone loved seeing him embody. No one can tell me that you can have too much charisma in a wrestling match and that's something that modern day superstars should really start taking notes on. I don't care if you're The Great Khali and you're 7 foot 4 inches? if you're just standing there in the ring muttering gibberish and chopping guys across the head, sorry mate? you're not entertaining me.
One cannot create a legacy based on being really big, or really strong. There have been bigger, stronger, meaner, more athletic guys than Hogan, Austin, Rock, Triple H and the Undertaker (not to mention Michaels and Jericho) over the years but they have all fallen before superstars of the calibre in which these guys are regarded because they don't incorporate any personality, any attitude into their matches. Nobody cares how big you are, if you don't entertain the fans, you're dancing in the wrong ring. This is not to discount the athleticism shown in this fantastic Wrestlemania encounter as any wrestling traditionalist would be on his feet in applause of the performance of both superstars. However, the charisma, ego and attitude incorporated into this match, elevated it from being a good match, to being something special.