5 Potential Opponents For Shawn Michaels' Comeback Match

After Shawn Michaels' appearance on Monday Night Raw this week, it looks like the Heartbreak Kid will be finally returning to the ring for at least one more match - something he'd vowed never to do after being one of few Superstars to retire and "mean it."

I know we've heard it all before and Michaels has always remained true to his word, it's being reported that WWE has "internal plans" for Shawn Michaels to return to the ring at WWE's next event in Saudi Arabia later this year. In fact, Michaels himself has even hinted he may go back on his word and return to the ring in a recent interview with Sky Sports.

Well, there's one thing we know for certain, Shawn Michaels WILL be involved in the WWE Super Show-Down, but in what capacity? Well, we simply don't know. It's been rumoured that HBK will be a special guest referee in the Triple H vs Undertaker match and, given how Monday night went, you'd have to imagine he'll be involved in that match somehow.

Most likely as a referee to throw back to the most iconic moment the trio shared - going back to the "End of an Era" at WrestleMania 28 when a reluctant HBK administered the three-count for Undertaker to extend his streak to 20-0.

But as always with WWE, the possibilities are endless - and wrestling is at its best when it's unpredictable, so let's make no assumptions. Shawn Michaels may return to action at the Super Show-Down event, but probably not - he may return to the ring in Saudi Arabia in November, at next year's WrestleMania, or even not at all.

But if Michaels does return, who will he face? I'm here to run down the five best options.

#5 The Undertaker

Okay, let's start with the obvious one and get it out of the way. If Shawn Michaels is a part of the Undertaker vs Triple H match at Super Show-Down, and even if he isn't, the most immediate thought is The Deadman.

This week's Raw saw Shawn Michaels make an announced appearance to speak about the upcoming match between The Undertaker and Triple H for the last time ever at WWE Super Show-Down at the 100,000 capacity Melbourne on October 6th - but when Michaels backed his old friend Triple H to win the match, there was an unannounced guest in the form of The Undertaker.

Taker decided to take a shot at Shawn Michaels for retiring, claiming that the WWE Hall of Famer hasn't stepped in the ring since WrestleMania 26 out of "fear" rather than respect. Michaels could make his presence known in Australia to cost Undertaker the match, setting up the ultimate rematch against the man who retired Mr WrestleMania on the Grandest Stage of Them All.

#4 Triple H

Like I said on page one, wrestling is at its best when it's unpredictable - and this one WOULD be surprising! After their showdown on Raw, everyone is expecting Michaels' involvement to be an attempt to cost Undertaker and help his former DX partner, but the two best friends haven't always seen eye to eye and one more match between this pair would be huge news.

Let's just fantasy book here. Say Michaels does get involved in the match Down Under, it may not be to help Triple H. HBK said he stayed retired as he has immense respect for the Deadman - stating that the only reason he's never come back to the ring after retiring is because of his respect for Undertaker.

Could we see the former DX men face off?

The Undertaker rarely loses to Triple H, but a Shawn Michaels interference to help Taker pick up the win would add further insult to injury against Triple H and, with Undertaker assuming more of a heel role on Raw, we may very well see a face Triple H take the loss.

One reason for this? Well, if Undertaker is to retire any time soon, Triple H could handpick an NXT talent, or former NXT talent, to fight his battle for him and try to retire the Deadman - and while Triple H is a great heel, it's hard not to love the man behind NXT right now.

#3 Seth Rollins

There are a load of comparisons between Shawn Michaels and Seth Rollins, not least one that relates to why Michaels may turn on Triple H - neither man is averse to betrayal. Just ask The Shield or Marty Jannetty.

Secondly, maybe more obviously - they're both six foot one and fall in between 215-225 pounds. While HBK is a bit older now, he still looks in great shape, so they'd be pretty evenly matched on the tale of the tape. Add to this both men's dealings with Triple H, and you could even make The Game a special guest referee for some added spice.

Now, on top of all of that, both men are absolute show-stoppers, and arguably both have been the best in the world at one point - and they even have similar move sets. This would be a classic!

#2 Adam Cole

Now, this one would be incredible! Undoubtedly, he's the wildcard of the list. While Adam Cole is still in NXT and thus unlikely to feature in a comeback match, there are several ways it could happen.

Adam Cole has been likened to the next Shawn Michaels by several WWE legends, most recently WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page, and the likeliness both physically and aesthetically is very obvious.

Now, when you talk about hot prospects in NXT, Cole is probably the first name on most people's lips - and after Michaels said he has young guys queuing up for their match with Mr WrestleMania, well, this young talent is a man who could undoubtedly get the best out of a veteran HBK. Now, if this were ten years ago, DX vs the Undisputed Era would bring the house down! But that one seems a bit far out, even for me.

So, here's how we get there - Triple H loses to Undertaker thanks to Michaels, but says he doesn't want to fight his friend. Instead, The Game handpicks his own talent to fight the battle, and who does he pick?

ADAM COLE BAY-BAY!

#1 AJ Styles

Now, if you speak about dream matches, this is it.

If you call someone "the new Shawn Michaels" - while Styles is no spring chicken, he embodies HBK's in-ring style, and some would even say progresses it! AJ hasn't aged a day and can put on an incredible match with anyone, so one of the best ever coming back for one more match... Well, it's a no-brainer.

The Phenomenal One may very well be the best in the world, and he's even asked about the possibility of facing off against Shawn Michaels, notably at the Royal Rumble earlier this year. It generated so much publicity that Styles put it out himself and WWE even recorded the pair talking about it with HBK saying Styles is a man he'd have loved to have faced in the ring.

Michaels even said it was the first time Vince asked him if he may have been interested, but this was back in January before HBK revealed that he'd be open to a comeback.

WWE missed their chance of one dream match with Undertaker vs Sting - so we can only hope they don't make the same mistake again!

Who do you want to see Shawn Michaels face if he returns? Let us know in the comments.