5 most memorable title wins of Shawn Michaels

Shawn Michaels is a beacon of light in the pro-wrestling industry, with his in-ring abilities being second to none. The Heartbreak Kid has put many WWE Superstars over like Triple H, John Cena, Randy Orton, and Edge.

At WrestleMania, Shawn always took his performance a notch higher in front of the WWE Universe, who anointed him with the title of Mr. WrestleMania. His ability to tell in-ring stories with his opponents and sell their moves serves as a guiding light for the WWE roster.

A four-time World Champion, three-time Intercontinental Champion, five-time Tag Team Champion, two-time Royal Rumble winner and the first Grand Slam Champion, this WWE Hall of Famer has indeed scaled every peak in the business.

This article will look into the five most memorable title wins for Shawn Michaels.

#5 Shawn Michaels wins his first Intercontinental Championship against British Bulldog (1992)

Shawn Michaels debuted in WWE in 1988 as a tag-team competitor with his partner Marty Jannetty to form the famous team called The Rockers. HBK would compete in tag-team action until 1992 when he turned his back on Jannetty to pursue his own singles career.

His singles journey took off with great steam when he won his first Intercontinental Championship, which was also his first singles title in November 1992, by beating the late British Bulldog in Saturday Night Main Event XXXI.

The match pinned the brut strength of Davey Boy against Michaels' high-flying moves. The latter prevailed when Bulldog messed up a top rope slam with Shawn falling on him. The botch was enough to seal the deal as Michaels started his first run as the IC Champion, which lasted a whopping 202 days.

#4 Shawn Michaels and Triple H (DX) win their maiden Tag Team Championship at TLC 2009

Shawn Michaels and Triple H together formed arguably the most controversial yet likable faction called D-Generation X.

At TLC 2009, they squared off against Jeri-Show, a team comprising of Chris Jericho and The Big Show for the Unified Tag Team Championships. The tables, ladders, and chairs match a classic, with both teams giving it their all. Big Show and Triple H took the contest outside the ring while Shawn Michaels and Jericho battled inside.

All four members fought at the entrance ramp as DX nailed Jeri-Show with chair shots. The latter team threw Michael and Triple H onto the ladder in the ring. In the end, Michaels delivered Sweet Chin Music to Big Show, with Jericho being on top of him.

The Game then knocked them outside the ring with another ladder, which was enough for HBK to climb the ladder and retrieve the titles. The win gave DX their maiden Tag Team titles and was indeed a sight to behold.

#3 Shawn Michaels beats Sycho Sid for the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble 1997

Shawn Michaels and Sycho Sid had a storied rivalry in the late 90s with a memorable match at Royal Rumble 1997.

The match was brutal with the strength of Sid vs. the high-flying moves of Michaels. Sid dominated the match early, but Michaels soon retorted with a high-flying elbow drop.

The bout kept going back and forth with no result in sight, with the referee was knocked unconscious. Shawn then hit Sid with the camera and delivered Sweet Chin Music to score the pinfall.

As Michaels celebrated in the ring holding his title, the audience in his hometown of San Antonio was overjoyed.

#2 Shawn Michaels wins his first World Heavyweight Championship at Survivor Series 2002

Shawn Michaels retired from WWE in 1998 due to multiple injuries after he dropped the WWE Championship to Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania 14.

The Heartbreak Kid then made a remarkable comeback to the squared circle, starting a feud with his real-life best friend Triple H. Their match at SummerSlam 2002 was spectacular, with Michaels victorious.

At Survivor Series 2002, in the first-ever Elimination Chamber Match, The Game put his World Heavyweight title on the line against five other superstars. Shawn Michaels outperformed Rob Van Dam, Kane, Chris Jericho, and Booker T to pin The Game with Sweet Chin Music as he won his maiden World Heavyweight Championship.

The sight was something special as Michaels celebrated with the Championship. To come back after a hiatus and win the title was a testament to the will, grit, and passion this WWE Hall of Famer demonstrated.

#1 The infamous Iron Man Match at WrestleMania 12

The showdown, which lasted for over an hour against one of the best technical wrestlers in Bret Hart, was indeed the coming-of-age for Shawn Michaels.

Shawn's entrance was a sight to behold as he came down from the top of the arena. Both wrestlers put on a terrific bout as the match started. Despite Bret applying the Sharpshooter, he could not win in the first 60 minutes.

The match then went into sudden death as both the men were exhausted. Michaels somehow pulled Sweet Chin Music out of his repertoire, which was enough to knock Bret out with the 1-2-3.

This iconic moment is etched in our memories as HBK won his first WWE Championship.