5 best world title celebrations in WWE history

#3 Shawn Michaels - WrestleMania XII

Dreams can come true, even boyhood ones

Shawn Michaels was never supposed to be at the top of the wrestling business. He was too short, too lean and nothing like anyone that had come before in that industry. His charisma and his natural ability in the ring helped in making it to heights thought impossible when he was running around with Marty Jannetty as a tag team.

Michaels won the 1995 Royal Rumble and faced former partner Diesel in the main event of WrestleMania XI. However, the company clearly had not deemed him ready enough to carry the company and he lost to the 7ft WWF Champion. However, his popularity grew and he won the 1996 Royal Rumble and was set to face Bret Hart at WrestleMania XII.

They squared off in an Iron Man match, which would mean a half hour time limit nowadays, but back then it was an hour. And by all accounts, it was a 5-star match. Back and forth, the momentum shifted with neither man able to get the better of the other. In a shock result, it ended at 0-0 and had to go to overtime.

A Sweet Chin Music from Michaels and it was all over. "The Heartbreak Kid" had been deemed worthy of the WWF Championship and kneeled in the middle of the ring after the win, completely drained and overcome with emotion. It really is a picture you can read a lot into.

Vince McMahon added to the triumph, stating “the boyhood dream has come true” on commentary. Head in his hands and tears in his eyes, he didn’t even stand up for awhile. The ref placed the belt around his waist and Michaels stood in the middle, soaking it all in before the signature pose came out. It’s been plated thousands of times in promos for WrestleMania and WWE title matches.

Shawn Michaels was now on top.