5 Superstars put over by Shawn Michaels

The famous Wrestlemania 19 match between Michaels and JerichoShawn Michaels has done it all in the WWF/E. From starting out as the cocky “ÂBoy Toy” in the mid nineties who was a pain-in-the-behind inside the ring as well outside to transforming himself into a born-again Christian during his second run with the company, HBK has come full circle. While Michaels was known for refusing to put talent over during his first run, he more than made up for it during his second.Also read: Top 5 WWE wrestlers who sang their own theme songsThis list takes a look at five Superstars whom Michaels put over during his WWF/E run. This only contains the instances where a Superstar has risen to a higher level within the company after feuding with Michaels. So Michaels’ feuds with the likes of Triple H and Kurt Angle when they were already on top of the roster aren’Ât taken into consideration.

#1 Randy Orton

Randy Orton benefitted from his matches with HBK

The first up and comer that Shawn Michaels put over in the WWE was none other than the Legend Killer himself – Randy Orton.

The year was 2003 and Orton was running around as part of the Evolution stable. Their feud started when Orton cost Michaels matches on successive Raw episodes – one against Ric Flair and the next against Chris Jericho – and Raw GM Eric Bischoff pitted Michaels against the young upstart in a match at Unforgiven.

It was a huge step up in class for Orton who had just been thrust into the WWE main event picture a few months earlier. But a great buildup was followed by a great match and Michaels did his part for the business by taking the loss that put Orton over.

Orton’s victory would be with the aid of brass knuckles, but he was a made man after the match. Orton would eliminate Michaels to become the sole survivor in that year’s Survivor Series as well. He would go on to win the Intercontinental and World Heavyweight title within a year and became one of the greatest superstars in WWE history.

Michaels would put Orton over yet again in a 2007 feud over the WWE Championship which would begin with one of the very first instances of Orton’s infamous running punts.

#2 Edge

Edge and Michaels would have a short term rivalry

An Edge vs Shawn Michaels feud never happened after the former adopted his ‘Rated R Superstar’ gimmick, leaving aside the Rated RKO-DX tag team contests. However, Michaels did put Edge over in 2005 while the Canadian was still on the lookout for a main event spot in the company.

A Sweet Chin Music from Michaels had resulted in Chris Jericho eliminating Edge from the Elimination Chamber match that year and the two decided to settle their differences at Royal Rumble. At the Rumble, Michaels would lose to Edge when the latter reversed a roll up attempt with a roll up of his own with assistance from the ropes.

Michaels would move on to a program with Kurt Angle, but Edge would gain the momentum to push his main event hunt forward.

#3 Jeff Hardy

Jeff Hardy pinned Michaels clean on Raw in 2008

Another superstar who did not have a sustained feud with Shawn Michaels was Jeff Hardy. But during Hardy’s 2008 singles run to the WWE Championship, Michaels would play a key role in getting him over as a superstar with a legitimate shot at the WWE title.

Hardy would surprise Triple H in a number 1 contender’s match, but it would be his victory over Shawn Michaels in the main event of Raw that really put him on the map. The win in itself was staggering – a Twist of Fate and a Swanton Bomb resulted in Hardy pinning Michaels clean in the middle of the ring.

It was admirable of Michaels to lose to an up-and-coming singles star like Hardy in that manner. It paid off too – Hardy would win the world title three times in the WWE.

#4 Chris Jericho

Michaels and Jericho would have the best match of the night at Wrestlemania 19

The year was 2003 and Michaels was just a few months into his return to the ring. He had just had a trilogy of matches with Triple H and wasn’t really sure whether he would be sticking around for more, considering his health.

However, Wrestlemania XIX was fast approaching and HBK just had to have a match on the grandest stage of them all.The opponent that Michaels hand picked was Chris Jericho. Y2J and Michaels had a throwaway segment several months prior to Wrestlemania where HBK would superkick the Canadian. The match at Safeco Field was built up splendidly and Jericho and Michaels proceeded to steal the show at the event.

Michaels would come out on top in the encounter, but the match would raise Jericho’s profile as well – so much so that Y2J would make Michaels tap out to the Walls of Jericho in their return match on Raw a few months later.

Michaels would put Jericho over five years later which would see Jericho’s transition into a suit-wearing slow-talking villain that would earn him plaudits during his second run with the WWE. That avatar would see Jericho capture the World title thrice – going over Michaels in an epic ladder match in his first PPV title defence.

#5 The Legacy

Michaels would tap out to the Legacy at Breaking Point 2009

The greatest putting over act Shawn Michaels has done is none other than at Breaking Point 2009 where Michaels and Triple H took on Randy Orton’s Legacy. The stable consisted of Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes – two rookies who were just feeling their way in the WWE. However, in an unexpected twist, Michaels put over the two newcomers when he tapped out to a double submission hold during the match.

It would be one of the rare instances when Michaels would tap out and it really helped establish the Legacy as a legitimate superstar duo. Michaels and Triple H would win the feud 2-1, but that solo victory launched the careers of Rhodes and Dibiase.

However, WWE decided to end the Legacy angle at that year’s Wrestlemania. Dibiase would quit the WWE soon enough whereas Rhodes would flounder, eventually settling for a rip off of his brother Goldust’s character.

Well, can’t say Shawn Michaels didn’t do his bit!!!