10 shocking backstage stories from Wrestlemania you didn't know about

#7 Shawn Michaels had custom Rolex watch made for Flair at WM 24

Friends for life.

Wrestlemania will always be seen as the most important aspect of any WWE calendar year. The event is so prestigious that the company is always afforded numerous opportunities to do something special with it.

Typically the show is used to cement a new star or bring an exciting feud to its conclusion. Sometimes, however, Wrestlemania provides a platform for an old legend to have one final match in front of a huge crowd.

In 2008, Ric Flair wrestled his last match for the WWE at Wrestlemania 24 against Shawn Michaels. While it did not main event the show, fans will always remember it as a hugely significant part of the card. When Shawn was seen mouthing the words 'I'm sorry, I love you' before delivering one last Sweet Chin Music there was not a dry eye left in the building.

What fans might not know is that following the conclusion of the match, Shawn decided to further show his appreciation and love for the Nature Boy by gifting himself and Flair two custom-made Rolex watches.

Despite the pair never really being in the company together for an extended period of time, Michaels no doubt saw Ric as a mentor and friend, and the gesture was his own way of showing this.

Shawn also had the watches engraved. On Flair's, it read 'To be the man', and on Shawn's read 'you have to beat the man', a reference to a popular catchphrase credited to Flair during his highly successful run in the 80s.

This feelgood, backstage story indicates just how much respect certain superstars have for each other, and when it comes to the Nature Boy you can guarantee there's a hell of a lot of respect floating around for him.