View Full Version : Is Shawn Michaels the greatest of all time?
James Steele
12-28-2008, 03:48 AM
Is "HBK" Shawn Michaels the greatest professional wrestler of all time?
.44 Magdalene
12-28-2008, 03:53 AM
I don't want to answer this definitively, but I'll say it's very possible
IC Champion
12-28-2008, 03:54 AM
No, some Canadian is.
James Steele
12-28-2008, 03:55 AM
Have the balls to vote in the poll...
.44 Magdalene
12-28-2008, 03:55 AM
Surely, someone as great as Shawn Michaels must be from Canada
Londoner
12-28-2008, 03:59 AM
Is "HBK" Shawn Michaels the greatest professional wrestler of all time?
Possibly. He's certainly always been very high on the list of my favourites.
Tazz Dan
12-28-2008, 04:06 AM
Calling someone the best ever is always a hard call, as everyone will always have conflicting views as to what is and isn't great. Someone like Bret Hart WAS a great technition. Whether you like or hate the guy, you can't really argue that point. Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, The Rock, and SCSA were all great draws.
But at the end of the day, who really at this point in time bar HBK could claim to be THE best? IMO, nobody. Kurt Angle may have been the one to possibly dethrone him eventually, but I don't think he'll ever accomplish what Shawn Michaels has.
Tazz Dan
12-28-2008, 04:07 AM
Have the balls to vote in the poll...
My balls have been shown :y:
James Steele
12-28-2008, 04:10 AM
Rep for you...
Ruien
12-28-2008, 10:38 AM
Our better wrestler thread says no.
Legend Killer
12-28-2008, 10:44 AM
Close, I would say Number 2. Flair gets my vote for greatest of all time and I will stand by that till the day I die.
Evil Vito
12-28-2008, 10:56 AM
Close, I would say Number 2. Flair gets my vote for greatest of all time and I will stand by that till the day I die.
:y:
Anybody Thrilla
12-28-2008, 12:23 PM
But Michaels beat Flair at Wrestlemania, so surely he's the best.
Nark Order
12-28-2008, 12:27 PM
Define "wrestler"
Awesome performer...yes...greatest wrestler?...ONE of the greatest...yes!
Legend Killer
12-28-2008, 12:32 PM
But Michaels beat Flair at Wrestlemania, so surely he's the best.
Who has more DVDs? Who wrestled for longer? Who has held more Championships? KAYFABE: Who's now in need of a Financial Back/ Advisor?
Anybody Thrilla
12-28-2008, 12:32 PM
He may be the most well rounded wrestler of all time. How does that sound?
Anybody Thrilla
12-28-2008, 12:33 PM
Who has more DVDs? Who wrestled for longer? Who has held more Championships? KAYFABE: Who's now in need of a Financial Back/ Advisor?
You make excellent points. I'll say Flair is the best for now, but only because he never sold out to that meany head, JBL.
Purgatory
12-28-2008, 12:40 PM
I wouldn't even label him as one of the greatest, tbh. He's definately a great 'Showman', but that's as much credit as I'd give him. When I think 'Wrestling', I think back to the old AWA. There wasn't any glitz or glammer there, no pyrotechnics, titantrons. Just a ring for them to show the fans who they were and what they can do. Shawn Michaels was just turning 20 and got his start there with Marty jannetty as part of the Midnight Rockers, as did alot of current wrestlers. Back then, the late Curt Hennig woulda earned my vote as one of the greatest over Michaels.
I honestly can't really pinpoint one as being the undisputed 'Greatest' when there are so many to compare and contrast.
Anybody Thrilla
12-28-2008, 12:44 PM
So can we agree that he's the greatest sports entertainer of all time?
Legend Killer
12-28-2008, 12:49 PM
So can we agree that he's the greatest sports entertainer of all time?
Only because you agreed with me that Flair is the greatest WRESTLER of all time. Yes I agree with you.
Anybody Thrilla
12-28-2008, 12:52 PM
Team work, LGK2K7!
*HIGH FIVE*
The Franchise
12-28-2008, 01:19 PM
I'd agree that he is the greatest sports entertainer, in a WWE context of all-time. Professional wrestler? Probably not even in my top ten. Shawn Michaels is my fav of all-time though.
Legend Killer
12-28-2008, 01:31 PM
I'd agree that he is the greatest sports entertainer, in a WWE context of all-time. Professional wrestler? Probably not even in my top ten. Shawn Michaels is my fav of all-time though.
Not in your top ten? Really? Wow.
The Franchise
12-28-2008, 01:33 PM
No respectable online smark site places him in the top 20.
The Franchise
12-28-2008, 01:34 PM
For North America he's top ten, but I'm counting Japan and I haven't even seen stuff from Mexico.
James Steele
12-28-2008, 01:37 PM
My argument is that HBK can wrestle any style, do promos, and is an international draw (Canadians shut up). HBK can wrestle anybody and make them look like $1,000,000. Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels are so close to each other on this for me personally, but Shawn Michaels ability to work any style gives him the edge over the naitch. Now, if HBK would have never came back in 2002, his legacy would probably be like that of a great wrestler who was an asshole and drug addict who died being a dumbass leaving his family behind.
James Steele
12-28-2008, 01:38 PM
No respectable online smark site places him in the top 20.
Yes, because Japanese wrestlers who work stiff and 90% of fuckers have no clue what the story of the match is other than OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH THAT SO STIFF!!!! (I know there are several Japanese wrestlers who can work amazing matches with amazing psychology).
Also, Mexico has no psychology and is just a giant clusterfuck with shiny masks...except La Parka. He is the man.
Legend Killer
12-28-2008, 01:42 PM
My argument is that HBK can wrestle any style, do promos, and is an international draw (Canadians shut up). HBK can wrestle anybody and make them look like $1,000,000. Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels are so close to each other on this for me personally, but Shawn Michaels ability to work any style gives him the edge over the naitch. Now, if HBK would have never came back in 2002, his legacy would probably be like that of a great wrestler who was an asshole and drug addict who died being a dumbass leaving his family behind.
I think we have a winner, no need for this thread anymore.
James Steele
12-28-2008, 01:44 PM
You can still discuss the topic, KK does it all the time.
Johnny Vegas
12-28-2008, 02:25 PM
HBK, ring-wise, is going to be up there in the top 3. He can wrestle any style and make people look better than they really are. It is a shame that i can watch HBK v. Shelton Benjamin at any time and never get bored of it. And that was almost 4 years ago. Kurt Angle is probably the closest that would've ever caught up to him tho, so i do agree with that JS. The only problem with Angle was he couldn't pull of a high-flying type of match or he would be up there.
The greatest would probably be Flair, just because he scaled through the major promotions and did GREAT in all of them. Sometimes when a wrestler switches companies, they will not do as good as the previous one. Flair did great in NWA, WCW, AND WWF/E. FTR, his departure was probably the best way you could have one as a legend. Austin, Rock, Foley, Hart are going to have "meh" departures included in their resumes`. Flair's was like a movie.
Innovator
12-28-2008, 03:18 PM
Shawn can outwrestle anyone, can cut a great promo. He will go down as one of the bests ever
But he isn't Ric Flair
DaveWadding
12-28-2008, 06:01 PM
Yeah, Ric Flair. C'MON.
Also, Shawn Michaels sucks.
JoeCool
12-28-2008, 07:54 PM
Shawn Michaels is nowhere close to being the best. The best 3 would be Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan, and Stone Cole Steve Austin. Can't really pick between those 3.
D Mac
12-28-2008, 07:55 PM
The Rock is the greatest sports entertainer.
What Would Kevin Do?
12-28-2008, 08:00 PM
Yes... and no. He is easily one of the greatest. I don't think there really is a "greatest" though. You can compare HBK and Flair for hours, and in the end, there's really not a wrong answer, both are amazing, and some just prefer one over the other... The same argument can be made for tons of wrestlers.
Jamstar
12-28-2008, 08:13 PM
BRET HART
Heyman
12-28-2008, 08:20 PM
Greatest Sports entertainer = Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, The Rock
Greatest Wrestler = Kurt Angle
So to answer the question - in my opinion, non.
DaveWadding
12-28-2008, 09:52 PM
Shawn Michaels is nowhere close to being the best. The best 3 would be Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan, and Stone Cole Steve Austin. Can't really pick between those 3.
BAH GAWD!!!!!
STONE COLE!!!
STONE COLE!!!!!!!!
STONE COLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mercury Bullet
12-28-2008, 10:32 PM
No but he's damn close.
Mr. Nerfect
12-28-2008, 11:01 PM
HBK, ring-wise, is going to be up there in the top 3. He can wrestle any style and make people look better than they really are. It is a shame that i can watch HBK v. Shelton Benjamin at any time and never get bored of it. And that was almost 4 years ago. Kurt Angle is probably the closest that would've ever caught up to him tho, so i do agree with that JS. The only problem with Angle was he couldn't pull of a high-flying type of match or he would be up there.
The greatest would probably be Flair, just because he scaled through the major promotions and did GREAT in all of them. Sometimes when a wrestler switches companies, they will not do as good as the previous one. Flair did great in NWA, WCW, AND WWF/E. FTR, his departure was probably the best way you could have one as a legend. Austin, Rock, Foley, Hart are going to have "meh" departures included in their resumes`. Flair's was like a movie.
I have to disagree about Kurt Angle not being able to work a "high flying" sort of match. His stuff with Rey Mysterio was always fun. After Rey Mysterio won the 2006 Royal Rumble, they should have just gone straight in with Angle and Rey as the main event of WrestleMania 22, and let them actually fucking wrestle.
Also, Angle can pull off one of the best moonsaults I have ever seen (possibly the best), and sure, it didn't end up too pretty, but the man has it in him to do a 450 Splash. Shawn Michaels may have gotten his start as a fast-paced, high flying worker, but he's toned down a lot over the years to the point where I think he and Angle are sort of comparable in terms of their ability to take to the air.
That being said, while I think Shawn Michaels is one of the most exciting wrestlers to ever step into the ring, with so many classics behind him, labeling someone as the best ever is a bit of a risk. I wouldn't like to say that there is a "best ever," because you have some guys who drew a lot more than Shawn Michaels has dreamed of, and you have guys that have just as many ring classics to their name.
If someone asks you what the best movie of all-time is, even if you don't like them, there are some answers you can go with: Citizen Kane, The Godfather, etc., and you will technically be correct. They might not be your favourite, but generally they are regarded as "the best." The way I perceive it, there are some wrestlers that you can just get away with calling "the best." They would be Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Bret Hart and Ric Flair. Each one has a ring of truth to it. I'd say that Shawn Michaels is "one of the best."
James Steele
12-28-2008, 11:12 PM
Shawn Michaels put 85,000+ asses in seats at WrestleMania.
I'd put Flair above Michaels.
Michaels is easily top three, though.
Hang on. I thought there was some Canadian wrestler who claimed to be "the best there was, the best there is and the best there ever will be".
WTF? You saying he was LYING???
:wtf:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/books/fishingMartinGodwin460.jpg
Brian Pillman.
I assumed you were shooting for a Zen.
Mr. Nerfect
12-29-2008, 02:15 AM
You do know these guys have you just as much as you think you have them?
Tazz Dan
12-29-2008, 04:21 AM
Hang on. I thought there was some Canadian wrestler who claimed to be "the best there was, the best there is and the best there ever will be".
WTF? You saying he was LYING???
:wtf:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/books/fishingMartinGodwin460.jpg
Define Canadian Wrestler.
:shifty:
Legend Killer
12-29-2008, 03:09 PM
Shawn Michaels is nowhere close to being the best. The best 3 would be Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan, and Stone Cole Steve Austin. Can't really pick between those 3.
Hulk Hogan?
:rofl:
STONE COLE! STONE COLE! STONE COLE!
Legend Killer
12-29-2008, 03:13 PM
STONE COLE! STONE COLE! STONE COLE!
Mike Tyson: Cold Stone, Cold Stone.
The Franchise
12-29-2008, 03:38 PM
I'm just going to go ahead and say it. Austin > Michaels in everything.
WHATS UP.
Except in-ring. :shifty:
Bad Company
12-29-2008, 03:46 PM
Yeah he is, and he's fucking miles ahead of anyone else.
Well considering a professional wrestler not really a wrestler but a sports entertainer, then he's definately at the top. I can't even vote on this pole though, because I'm actually undecided. He's a top 10 in every area he needs to be...his matches are almost always entertaining, he's gold on the mic, he oozes charisma, his persona has been beloved for years, and all around he makes any program better. In recent years I've gotten a little bored of him, but the man is heading into his mid-forties and is slowing down a bit...it's expected.
At the same time, it can be argued that since he never hit it big like Hogan, Rock, or Austin that maybe he's just not that big...but idk.
James Steele
12-29-2008, 05:10 PM
Austin and Rock built the Attitude era off of HBK's broken freakin' back.
The Franchise
12-29-2008, 05:44 PM
lol
The Franchise
12-29-2008, 05:59 PM
http://i39.tinypic.com/2ijofow.gif
James Steele
12-29-2008, 07:36 PM
Shawn Michaels has Jesus on his side. What does Canada have? pancake syrup.
The Franchise
12-29-2008, 07:42 PM
It's maple, actually.
:(
Aren't they the same thing?
James Steele
12-29-2008, 07:44 PM
Maple syrup is just a kind of pancake syrup...yet they think they can go against HBK and God?!?! Does Canada think its Vince McMahon?
The Franchise
12-29-2008, 07:44 PM
Well basically. BUT Maple syrup is used for things other than pancakes here. Like making candy and some beers.
Don't you know anything KYR?
Maple syrup is what Canadians eat. It's made from unicorns and kitten saliva. Pancake syrup is what real, tangible people eat.
The Franchise
12-29-2008, 07:47 PM
In Canada, syrup eats you.
James Steele
12-29-2008, 07:47 PM
Real wear do not wear pink.
The Franchise
12-29-2008, 07:48 PM
lol
James Steele
12-29-2008, 07:48 PM
Why does the United States not float away from Canada?
Canada sucks.
James Steele
12-29-2008, 07:48 PM
*rimshot*
We're not big pancake eaters over here :'(
The Franchise
12-29-2008, 07:51 PM
The U.S. initially tried repeatedly to invade Upper Canada with no success; the British launched multiple invasions that were repelled. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_1812)
:D :love:
The U.S. initially tried repeatedly to invade Upper Canada with no success; the British launched multiple invasions that were repelled. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_1812)
:D :love:
Um, you could actually replace "Upper Canada" with just about any other country and still be correct. :shifty:
James Steele
12-29-2008, 08:16 PM
What is in Upper Canada? Polar bears, sea lions, eskimos, etc.???
James Steele
12-29-2008, 08:21 PM
Douchebags.
Well, duh.
The Franchise
12-29-2008, 08:24 PM
Frozen douchebags. :shifty:
James Steele
12-29-2008, 08:26 PM
Pink-wearing bastards who like to torture men in basements.
The Franchise
12-29-2008, 08:27 PM
:lol:
I've given out too much rep, but I would have repped ya bastards for those last two posts. :D
The Optimist
12-29-2008, 11:20 PM
Surely, as great as Canada is it must have been directly under Shawn Micheals when he was born.
Mr. Nerfect
12-30-2008, 08:55 AM
Aren't they the same thing?
Aren't you Australian? You know damn well the awesomeness of maple syrup! :rant:
:kiss:
By the way, does anyone else remember when Shawn Michaels originally returned to the WWE in 2002, and they were taking it match at a time because the general consensus was that he could be done any given night? That continued pretty much right up to WrestleMania XIX with Chris Jericho, if I recall, which in retrospect, is fucking awesome for Jericho. Potentially Shawn Michaels' last WrestleMania, and the WWE decides to give it to Jericho.
"Of course we remember when Shawn Michaels was taking it slowly. What do you think we are...WWE fans?"
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