5 career turning moments for Shawn Michaels

#5 Wrestlemanias 25 and 26

Thank you, Shawn.

In many ways, the careers of Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker have mirrored each other. Both began at a similar time in an era that brought about much of the WWF's greatest amount of success. Following this, both men were tasked with carrying the company through the difficult period following the departure of Hogan and other 80s stars.

While Taker enjoyed much more of the spotlight during the Attitude Era, both had their own problems with injury. By the time 2004 came around, with Shawn now firmly re-established following his absence and Taker once again embracing his Deadman gimmick, the two were free to concentrate on putting on solid wrestling matches, allowing a younger generation to do most of the heavy lifting.

By 2009, and with Wrestlemania 25 in the WWE's sights, the ultimate stage was set. Taker had still not been beaten at the Show of Shows but he was about to face an individual who refers to himself as 'Mr Wrestlemania'. Taker had also never beaten Shawn in one on one competition, so for many of us, we really thought the streak was in serious jeopardy.

Shawn was not successful that night, but the two legends still put on arguably the greatest Wrestlemania match of all time. Wrestlemania 25 is essentially remembered for it and it had the WWE Universe talking for months and months to come.

One year later, at Wrestlemania 26, the company decided that a rematch was the only viable option for them both. Taker's career was now defined by his streak, and Shawn's career was defined by his attempts to end it. The decision was made to put Shawn's career on the line, and after one high-impact Tombstone, Shawn Michaels was counted into retirement, thus ending over 20 years of sheer in-ring brilliance and mastery.

These two matches were so crucial to the career of Shawn Michaels because they allowed us all to remember HBK in the way he should be remembered. The man has fought many demons over the years, but whatever happened, nothing could take away his talent for wrestling and showmanship. He really couldn't have asked for a better end to his career.

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