Shawn Michaels

[10.0] "Absolutely best of the best. I have never seen anyone else at level of His in ring psychology. I mean he could wrap people around his in ring work so much so that you can't see anything other than what's happening in ring. Top tier talker and charisma was through the roof. I mean we can talk so much about him. But it would be rhetoric. So absolutely 10/10."

[9.0] "He great don't get me wrong but I was never a Shawn guy. He has had great feuds and matches we all know this. But to me he a great wrestler i never really care for that much."

[9.0] "One of the all-time best North-American wrestlers. An all-rounder in every way, he has shown time and time again that he excels at not only utilizing the squared circle to the fullest to elicit sheer passion and emotion in his viewers, but also at bringing out the best of his wrestling opponents/rivals, no matter how average they may seem in the ring otherwise. I think that's what made HBK truly great, adapting to the strengths and weaknesses of his fellow wrestlers with whom he shared the ring. I'll go so far as to claim that even his "coming-of-retirement" match, though not a decent wrestling exhibit by any chance, will still go down in wrestling lore as the only highlight of an event which was a fiasco for the most part. The HBK of 2018 still showed signs of the unparalleled wrestling showman and match-carrier he once was."

[10.0] "Shawn was pure entertainment. He transformed the simplest moves into great finishers, his matches never had a boring moment, he was good at promos, in ring, as a heel, as a babyface... He truly is the best. And he's doing pretty good job as a booker now."

[8.0] "Incredibly gifted athlete. He isn't a 9 or 10 because I always felt his opponents had to cater to his style and allow for him to hit all his spots, whether it fit logically or not."

[10.0] "Shawn Michaels to me is the greatest wrestler of all time, sure his over selling was hideous at times, and he exposed the business in multiple instances, but I have not seen another wrestler be able to combine both the pacing of WWF, with the athleticism that said wrestler has, with a gimmick and look that is for the high-card, and to top it off with an ability to (sometimes) drop great promos and I haven't seen anyone else like him."

[10.0] "In my opinion, the greatest in-ring wrestler of all time. He could really do it all and have a great match with just about anybody. Countless classics."

[10.0] "The showstopper The sexy boy Perhaps He is the top tree wrestler who competed in wwe with Kurt angle and stone cold"

"[10.0] He is a fantastic performer, though I wouldn't consider him the greatest of all time. He is excellent on the microphone, possesses commanding charisma, and has had a magnificent career, delivering great matches against Angle, The Undertaker, Triple H, and others."

[8.0] "Always disliked the Boy Toy. A traumatic encounter with a Latvian lady of the nocturnal in a Portsmouth hotel, who was a ringer for HBK, has only further cemented this dislike. Like Adam Cole was never 210lbs, Michaels never looked close to 225lbs. Hard to dispute his bell to bell record, great matches and durability. His comedy overselling against Hogan at SummerSlam 2005 was genuinely fantastic. Can't really give a 9 to a bloke I've never liked, an outstanding career nonetheless."

[10.0] "In my eyes, Shawn Michaels is one of the greatest wrestlers ever. I don't care about how much money he drew, he could cut an amazing promo and wrestle an amazing match with a broomstick. He was extremely entertaining and was a master of emotion and storytelling. He had so many iconic performances over the course of nearly 20 years it's insane. His retirement from 1998 to 2002 was like Michael Jordan retiring during the 1993 to 1995 seasons. Sure he wasn't the greatest person ever in the 90s but I really enjoy how he redeemed himself and found himself."

[10.0] "Is there any wrestler better overall than HBK? It's hard to say. During his run he was charismatic, great on the mic, and an incredible wrestler. his matches with Undertaker are some of my all time favorite matches. The original DX had a short run but helped usher in the Attitude Era and had some of the better segments and promos of it. Incredibly influential and talented, he now runs NXT and helps build a new generation of wrestlers."

"HBK, known to wrestling fans as Shawn Michaels, is widely regarded as one of the greatest performers in sports entertainment history. His exceptional talent, dedication, and charisma helped define an era of professional wrestling and inspired countless fans around the world. What made HBK special was his ability to connect with audiences. Whether he was playing the role of a hero or a villain, he always captured attention with his confidence, athleticism, and storytelling skills. His matches were known for their excitement, creativity, and emotional impact, earning him the nickname "The Showstopper." Beyond his in-ring achievements, HBK demonstrated resilience throughout his career. He overcame injuries, setbacks, and personal challenges, returning stronger and more focused. His journey showed that growth and perseverance are just as important as talent. Many younger wrestlers have looked up to him as a mentor and role model because of the knowledge and experience he shares. HBK's legacy extends far beyond championship titles and memorable victories. He helped elevate professional wrestling through his passion for excellence and commitment to entertaining fans. His unforgettable performances continue to be celebrated by new generations of wrestling enthusiasts. For many people, HBK represents hard work, determination, and the pursuit of greatness. His impact on wrestling remains timeless, making him a true legend of the industry."

"Mr Wrestlemania is Probably the best wrestler in the WWE history, perfect move set, perfect selling, famous fude..."

[10.0] "9.5/10 from me, Accomplishments - 10, Charisma/Character Work - 9.5, Cultural Significance - 9.5, In-Ring Skills - 10, Longevity - 10 and Move-Set - 8.5 = 9.6 rounded up to 10/10."

[10.0] "In my opinion, Shawn Michaels is one of the best wrestlers in history. It was incredible how good he was and how he drew you, as a spectator, into the stories, starring in what for me was one of the best rivalries in history against The Undertaker. Shawn is unique and I highly doubt anyone will ever equal him. The only thing I didn't like was the SCM was transformed into a transitional movement but aside from that, he's one of the best in history"

"Shawn Michaels, in my opinion, is one of the greatest, if not the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. I wasn't the biggest fan of his growing up, but looking back on his matches and his promos he was so incredibly skilled in both. I think if he didn't have the personal problems he had in the mid to late 90s he may have even been better which is is crazy to think because of how great he was. He helped take so many guys who aren't typically known as good or even average in ring workers, to some of the best matches of their careers (ex. Diesel at Wrestlemania XI). Based on my knowledge of pro wrestling, which starts basically in the late 80s, he's definitely one of top 5 maybe even top 3 of that almost 40 years time period."

[10.0] "When I was a kid watching Shawn, he was my favorite. He transcended being a heel or a face for me, I was a Shawn fan no matter what. He was the first wrestler to do this for me as a kid. I didn't know why, I didn't realize how good he was at this until I was much older. Shawn should always be brought up when talking about the greatest. For his work and his personal development. Now he's the guy running NXT and he seems to be genuinely beloved by everybody that works with him. I don't know if him being out from 98-2002 was a blessing or a curse. I'd like to have seen what would have happened if he never took the hiatus, but I think that's where the personal development really happened as well."

[10.0] "Probably my selection as the greatest in-ring wrestler in the history of wrestling. He had 2 hall of Fame-worthy careers in each of his WWF/WWE stints. Some of the greatest matches in Wrestlemania history, phenomenal world title reigns, iconic feuds, and was involved with many of the most important moments in wrestling history."

[10.0] "My favorite wrestler from childhood. The embodiment of a true star, who is as brilliant in the ring as he is on the mic, and in the storyline. His feud with The Undertaker and his matches at WrestleMania 25 and 26 are among my favorite matches and storylines. He's currently managing a developing brand, but I periodically find his matches/storylines, and I just enjoy reminiscing about the distant past."

[10.0] "The greatest in-ring performer of all time. Shawn was underrated on the mic and he was just as good being a babyface or heel. Albeit the stories about his issues in the 90's are well known. However his classic matches at Wrestlemania are probably an all timer from matches against Undertaker, Angle, Flair, Hart, Jericho and even underrated matches against Cena and Vince."

[7.0] "Shawn Michaels was very, very good and had a lot of charisma. His promos were spotty and very hit or miss and later in his career it was pretty obvious he was reciting lines he tried to memorize. He also wasn't a very eloquent speaker and is even worse out of character. He dressed like a leather daddy but didn't know it and I'm just going to say it, his theme music without Sherri blows. He wasn't a draw. That was never made more clear than in 1996 when he was champion and WCW was moving quickly ahead. It was fine when he was younger but a 45 year old man coming out to it was laughable. For me he can't touch his idol, Ric Flair."

[10.0] "To me Shawn Michaels is the greatest to ever do it. He could work heel or face. He's as good as it gets in ring with the ability to have great matches with most people and drag good matches out of some very untalented ones as well. Probably the best ever as it relates to getting emotion across during a match. You could actually suspend disbelief with him and live and die with every move. Not the absolute strongest on promos, but was capable and could get his point across and had lots of charisma. I highly doubt I'll ever see a wrestler I think is better."

[10.0] "I could just list matches as my comment. Always preferred a heel Shawn and thought he was underrated on the mic."

[10.0] "He is truly the GOAT. When it comes to in ring work and selling, he is the greatest to ever do it. His promos were excellent too, not Rock or Austin level, but he never needed to be because in the ring he could do everything. Wrestlers today, from top to bottom, study him for a reason. His matches and stories with Triple H, The Undertaker, Kurt Angle, DX, Bret Hart, Ric Flair, Chris Jericho and many others are must watch. A true showstopper who delivered without excess. His facial expressions, selling, athleticism, and timing were flawless. He never needed flashy moves like 450 splashes or Canadian Destroyers. Sweet Chin Music was all it took. He also has the greatest entrance and entrance music of all time and helped define the WrestleMania moment: the ladder splash at WrestleMania X, winning the title from Bret Hart, being knocked out by Mike Tyson, and the "I'm sorry, I love you" moment. As for matches, there are too many to list: The Rockers vs The Brain Busters, Hell in a Cell vs Undertaker, WrestleMania 25 and 26 vs Undertaker, Summerslam 2002 vs Triple H, WrestleMania 19 and the ladder match vs Jericho, the ladder match vs Razor Ramon at Mania X, WrestleMania 21 vs Kurt Angle, the triple threat with Triple H and Benoit at Mania 20 and Backlash, the first Elimination Chamber, the Shelton Benjamin Raw match finish, matches with Cena at Mania 23 and Raw in London, Bret Hart at Survivor Series 97 and Mania 12, Austin at Mania 14, plus classics with Mankind and Jeff Jarrett. Simply too many iconic performances to count."

"Absolute GOAT, made me fall in love with wrestling. Too much aura. I don't think there's gonna be another one like him"

[10.0] "Shawn Michaels is probably the single most talented individual in pro wrestling. He could flip, bump, sell and was a good promo. His matches versus Razor Ramon, Bret Hart, Undertaker, and even his matches with Triple H were all the stuff of legend. 10 out of 10."

[10.0] "I mean, Shawn is a 10. Probably the guy that you would want any up and coming light-heavyweight to look at for success. He created his personality from the ground up and the aura deserved to grow. His ring work and talent was absolutely off the charts. He carried others and made himself and his wrestling believable almost to a fault. Yes, he made a lot of poor decisions, but in that ring there are few that were more talented and could work like him."

[9.0] "I don't like Michaels. His HBK persona and the Boy Toy song that he went out were regrettable. He never quite cut it as the champion. Having said that he was an excellent wrestler he had lots of great matches. After wrestling became corporate and national/ international in the early 90's there have only been in a few promotions and very limited spots for the talent. He can't be blamed for the political situations that came out of that although he handled the politics poorly in the 90's. He was much better in his second incarnation after he came back to WWE from his hiatus. He pretty much runs NXT and for better or worse is influencing the industry now and far into the future."

[10.0] "Mr. WrestleMania, the ShowStopper, the HeartBreak Kid...call him whatever you want, he was everything you need in a wrestler: charismatic, athletic, psychological, show-stealer...and all of that, whilst being a sexy boy (SEXY BOOOOOOOOY)"

[10.0] "The absolute, undisputed GOAT in my eyes. Shawn Michaels' body of work is absolutely insane and he could have a good match with literally anyone. Still cannot believe this man came out of retirement in 2002 and put on 8 fantastic years of bangers and solid storylines. One of the best TV match guys ever too, imo."

[4.0] "Although I haven't watched a lot of Shawn matches but the matches I have watched was awesome.He had a lot of amazing moments in DX, had great feuds with the likes of Triple H, Jericho, Cena , Undertaker.He made superkick and moonsault famous.He is called Mr.Wrestlemania for a reason.The main reason me giving him 4 out of 10 is the Montreal Screwjob.He screwed Bret Hart every chance he got.His booking in NXT is also awful."

[10.0] "My #4 WWE GOAT. Shawn Michaels had it all. In the late 90s, he was the face of the WWE, and his career spanned decades. Even when he wasn't in the main event, he was ALWAYS one of the guys you had to watch no matter what. Insanely athletic and talented in the ring, top tier charisma, and on a personal level, a very inspirational story of becoming born again. Even without his return and subsequent run in the 2000s, he would still be in my top 10. But that run in particular made it extremely clear that he was a generational talent, the likes of which would never be seen again. Plus, the guy could have a match of the year contender against Shelton Benjamin ... in terms of sheer in ring talent and showmanship, he's arguably the greatest to ever do it."

[0.0] "Shawn Michaels is honestly one of the worst wrestlers in history. He was the guy who set a terrible precedent for future high flyers and spot wrestlers -- guys who care more about flashy moves than actual match psychology. His finisher? Just a basic-ass superkick. No setup, no psychology behind it, nothing. He'd hit it outta nowhere and that was it -- match over. Super underwhelming, especially for someone with his style. Let's not forget, Shawn killed Bret Hart and Vader's careers with his backstage politics and constant lobbying. Dude had so much pull for a while that people straight-up hated him. Even his selling was overrated. He was an overseller -- just watch the 1992 Royal Rumble when he sold for Texas Tornado. It was ridiculous, pure cartoonish nonsense. Shawn literally derailed the natural evolution of pro wrestling in the U.S. He brought too much "producer-style" influence into matches, trying to choreograph everything like a stage show. With his over-the-top theatrics, he made a lotta people back then start thinking wrestling was fake. And don't even get me started on his NXT booking. It's a mess. Constant no-sells, way too much overacting, and they're pumping out a bunch of wrestlers who have no idea how to tell a story in the ring.""

[10.0] "I was just thinking about how I find HBK to be the greatest of all time. He had it all, the look, the mic skills, the in ring talent. He was good at evolving and changing with the times. I am very happy to give him a 10."

"Best wrestler of all time! There's a reason he is called Mr.Wrestlemania. He goes out there and puts on the best performance every night. His stotytelling, athleticism, selling especially his facial expressions are the reason his matches are always the best. Also, that entrance and the finisher"

[10.0] "Icon. Great in-ring, on the mic, wonderful presence immediately as he arrives on your screen, not even his ego of the 90's can lower my love or score for this man."

[3.0] "I hate wrestlers who damage the careers of other wrestlers. Shawn Michaels was responsible for burying the career of the truly incredible brawler and Big Guy - Vader. Vader was a unique wrestler who could put his fallen eye back in the middle of a match. But Shawn, because of his connections and egoism, showed the most disgusting match, demonstrating his attitude towards Vader and showing the antithesis of wrestling, where a skinny guy beats a super-strong Big Guy. My second complaint about him is that he sold out the legacy of his career. I also believe it's foolish to argue that Michaels vs The Undertaker matches are some of the most beautiful in terms of ring execution, combined with an incredible atmosphere. But Michaels sold out the entire atmosphere and the legendary nature of his last match at Crown Jewel, showing an incredibly shitty tag match. Disrespect for his legacy and disrespect for other wrestlers are the reasons I rate him so low. Yes, he's good in the ring, although I consider his matches with Triple H and Kurt Angle to be filler and boring. He knew how to sell his signature move. In the 90s, he was a pioneer. But his abuse of power spoiled the impression of him as a worker. And by the way, even as a NXT Booker, he's completely incompetent. When the hype around Joe Hendry started, he was one of the first to get eliminated in some battle royal -- as the last idiot. Even though, at that time, he should have been built up as a hype meme star. The same thing happened with Oba Femi. Michaels still doesn't understand how wrestling should work and that you need to build new stars without giving them humiliating losses."

[10.0] "Jeden z najwybitniejszych in-ring performerów w historii. Bogata kariera zeszmacona pod koniec wystepem w Arabii Saudyjskiej."

"My favorite wrestler by far. Every match I saw has been an absolute masterpiece. His technique, moveset and the many feuds he had, especially with Bret makes him even better. Whether he is a heel or a face, he is a pleasure to see wrestle. Aside from his backstage issues back in the days, he will be remembered as one if not the wrestler of all time."

[10.0] "the goat of his era, he is the inspiration for many great and legendary wrestlers nowadays, i couldn't be more thankful for Shawn to have been in this business, he's truely THE icon, one of my favourite wrestlers of all time and forever more"

[10.0] "The undisputed goat of his era. Charisma, in-ring work, countless legendary matches, and elite as ever all the way til the end of his career. Also one of the best finishers ever."

[10.0] "What else you need to be a superstar, he got it all, i think no one touching this man in his prime, oozes with charisma, beast in the ring, the ladies loves him, even in his old age he still dedicated himself to wrestling"

"What strikes me about Shawn's matches--and the thing that makes him stand out above some of the others in the "greatest in-ring performer" conversation--is that he had a way of making pro wrestling seem *real*. Not in the sense that someone like Brock Lesnar or Ronda Rousey might incorporate combat sports into their style, but in a way that is deeply true to pro wrestling. It's a sport--and I say this with the greatest affection--built around cartoon logic, and Shawn Michaels knew better than anyone how to tell a story that exists within that world, but somehow also makes sense (and is compelling and dramatic and real) outside of it. I could say a lot more that would mostly just echo a lot of the points below, so I'll just add that (IMO) the most underrated part of his career is how safe he was in the ring--not always to himself, but to his opponents. There may be a counterexample here or there, but I've never heard of another wrestler being injured by one of his moves."

[10.0] "One of the greatest and most entertaining wrestlers to every grace the ring, who could just as easily shine on the mic as he did in the ring. Was a horrible person in the past, but did his best to atone for those actions and become a better person."

[10.0] "Hands down the greatest professional wrestler to ever walked the planet earth. He has every tool in the business to be a pro wrestling entertainer and not to mention some classic matches he gave us throughout his entire career."

[10.0] "The best in ring wrestler that WWE has ever seen. Whether it's just in ring skills, or his ability to tell a story in the ring, there's no body better than him. He's till the gold standard for me."

[10.0] "The Fact that someone in BIG 2025 gave shawn michaels a 0.0 or a 5, with criticism's less valid than a Mcdonald's value menu. One of the greatest storytellers of all time, had some of the greatest feuds of all time, and has some of the best matches of all time."

[0.0] "Shawn Michaels is honestly one of the worst wrestlers in history. He was the guy who set a terrible precedent for future high flyers and spot wrestlers -- guys who care more about flashy moves than actual match psychology. His finisher? Just a basic-ass superkick. No setup, no psychology behind it, nothing. He'd hit it outta nowhere and that was it -- match over. Super underwhelming, especially for someone with his style. Let's not forget, Shawn killed Bret Hart and Vader's careers with his backstage politics and constant lobbying. Dude had so much pull for a while that people straight-up hated him. Even his selling was overrated. He was an overseller -- just watch the 1992 Royal Rumble when he sold for Texas Tornado. It was ridiculous, pure cartoonish nonsense. Shawn literally derailed the natural evolution of pro wrestling in the U.S. He brought too much "producer-style" influence into matches, trying to choreograph everything like a stage show. With his over-the-top theatrics, he made a lotta people back then start thinking wrestling was fake. And don't even get me started on his NXT booking. It's a mess. Constant no-sells, way too much overacting, and they're pumping out a bunch of wrestlers who have no idea how to tell a story in the ring."

[10.0] "When you talk about the greatest wrestlers of all time, Shawn Michaels is undeniably in that elite conversation. "The Heartbreak Kid, " "The Showstopper, " "Mr. WrestleMania" - his nicknames alone tell you he's synonymous with legendary performances. What truly sets Shawn Michaels apart is his unparalleled ability to combine athleticism, storytelling, and pure, unadulterated charisma. He could do it all in the ring: high-flying maneuvers, technical wrestling, incredible brawls, and perhaps most famously, some of the most dramatic and believable selling in the history of the business. He made every opponent look good, and every match feel like a main event. His career is a testament to his greatness. From his explosive singles debut, the iconic Ladder Match with Razor Ramon at WrestleMania X, to his "boyhood dream" coming true at WrestleMania XII, and then his incredible second act after a career-threatening injury, where he delivered even more classics against opponents like Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho, and, of course, his epic two-part saga with The Undertaker at WrestleManias 25 and 26. These matches are considered some of the best in history for a reason. Beyond the in-ring work, Shawn Michaels had an incredible connection with the audience. Whether he was the arrogant "Sexy Boy" or the beloved veteran, he always commanded attention. He truly is one of a kind, a generational talent who influenced countless wrestlers and left an indelible mark on professional wrestling."