WrestleMania Rewind : WrestleMania XI - Diesel vs Shawn Michaels

The granddaddy of them all, WrestleMania is just about a month away. The anticipation for the extravaganza is sky high among the WWE Universe. And since the pay-per-view is richer than Richie rich when it comes to history, we have decided to take a look back at the best WrestleMania matches with this latest series. This time we are going to take a look at the clash between two former best friends 'Big Daddy Cool' Diesel and the "Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels. It was Michaels fist WWF Championship Match at the grandest stage of them all. Here is a look how things turned out.

#1 The Buildup

Diesel debuted as Michael’s bodyguard and later won WWF Tag Team Championship with Michaels. He was also the Intercontinental Champion at that time. He defended his Intercontinental Championship against Razor Ramon at SummerSlam 1994.

Shawn accidently kicked Diesel in the face which costed him is IC Championship. Then again at Survivor Series Shawn accidently supekicked Diesel that led to an argument and Diesel dissolved the team and vacated the WWF Tag Team Championship.

Three days after Survivor Series Diesel won the WWF Championship by defeating Bob Backlund who had won at Survivor Series from Bret Hart. Diesel then defended the tilte against Bret at the Royal Rumble which resulted in a draw after interference from many wrestlers including Michaels.

Michaels interfered in Diesel’s match and attacked him. He was angry at the fact his former bodyguard had beaten him to WWF Championship race. This motivated Michaels to win the Royal Rumble match. Shawn won the 1995 Royal Rumble match after entering first and outlasting 29 other superstars for the first time in the WWF history earning himself a title shot at Diesel’s WWF Championship. This way the stage was set for an exciting WrestleMania match.

#2 The Match

Shawn Michaels was accompanied to the ring by Jenny McCarthy and his new bodyguard Sycho Sid whereas Diesel was escorted by Pamela Anderson (who was supposed to valet for Michaels). Michaels with his quickness and Diesel with his strength the match was pretty exciting.

Michaels performing several aerial moves like diving elbow drop and flying crossbody on Diesel however he was unable to pin Diesel. He also used Sleeper hold to wear Diesel down. Later in the match they both brawled outside the ring and Michaels hit Diesel with the Superkick, but Sid Michael’s bodyguard had the referee distracted and was unable to count the pinfall.

Diesel then recovered and controlled the remainder of the match and hit Michaels with his finishing move Jackknife powerbomb for the pinfall victory to retain his title. After the match, Diesel left with both Pamela Anderson and Jenny McCarthy.

#3 The Fallout

The Raw after WrestleMania saw Diesel offering Michaels a rematch but Michaels was attacked by his bodyguard Sycho Sid until Diesel made the save. Diesel and Michaels reunited once again as a tag team known as “Two Dudes with Attitude.”

Diesel successfully defended the WWF Championship against Sid at In Your Huse and In Your House 2 pay-per-views. He also won the King of the Ring Tournament that year.

Meanwhile, Michaels took some time of and returned at the In Your House PPV and defeated Jeff Jarrett to win the Intercontinental Championship for the third time.

At In Your House 3 PPV, Michaels and Diesel who were Intercontinental Champion and WWF Champion respectively challenged the WWF Tag Team Champions Owen Hart and Yokozuna in winner takes all match. Diesel pinned Hart for the win, making him and Michaels holders of all the three major WWF Championships.