Top 20 WrestleMania moments: No. 13
Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 21, 2005)
Expectations for a match between two of the greatest workers of all time were incredibly high, but Angle and Michaels came through and lived up to the hype. The two ring generals took fans on the proverbial rollercoaster ride, with perhaps the most memorable high spot of the match occurring when Michaels spring-boarded from the middle rope high in the air and onto Angle, who was sprawled out on the announce table.
After Michaels managed to escape from an anklelock a couple times, Angle clamped it on once again. Michaels stayed in the hold for two minutes, desperately trying to free himself before dramatically tapping out. Watching on television, I was stunned, as it was the first time that I could recall Michaels ever submitting. The crowd gave both men a well-deserved standing ovation after witnessing a classic.
Comments
Good job on that one Kevin . That was a classic match .
Posted by: jack in hebron | March 18, 2008 2:19 PM
In the Promo previous to the match that collected a lot of big phrases of both wrestlers from the past. Mainly cocky phrases. One of Shawn's phrases that is still in the back of my mind is:
"Im going to give a match like you have ever, EVER; seen before. Why?Because I can"
Posted by: Gaston | March 19, 2008 12:29 AM
Shawn Michaels submitted to Bret Hart at Survivor Series 1992.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Yes, I remember that now. Good catch.
Posted by: Jake the Snake | March 21, 2008 11:07 PM
He also submitted to Benoit at Backlash in 2004.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I actually didn't watch that show (which I guess is why I didn't remember him tapping), but you are correct. Thanks for setting the record straight.
Posted by: Arv | March 23, 2008 3:52 AM
He also submitted to Chris Jericho on Raw when they was at the Staples Center sometime after Wrestlemania 19.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: OK, I'm tapping out. I said I didn't recall Michaels submitting before WrestleMania 21 and there have been at least three instances. The memory is the first thing to go you know.But I do appreciate all of you who did remember those matches and have set the record straight.
Posted by: David | March 26, 2008 9:39 AM
I know this post is a bit late, but michaels also tapped out to bret hart's sharpshooter in the beginning of his career
Posted by: Jacob | March 24, 2009 1:48 PM
Kevin , re: your memory of Michaels submissions , could this be a case of "selective" memory ? :)
Scott Steiner has never "submitted" either. :)
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | March 24, 2009 3:39 PM