He will always be a Hero to me.
Back when I was in second grade, the time I really started to get into wrestling, he was the guy I gravitated to, the one person that really caught my eye. I watched him all the time, I still remember to this day the time I went to Caldors and I had bought his best hits VHS and watched it non stop.
When he lost to Austin at Mania 14 I was crushed since I was such a big fan, and after that I thought he was gone forever. From that day, with all that I had seen I still felt he was the greatest I had ever seen.
His comeback in 2002-2010 was an unbelievable ride. The man was like a fine wine, he got better with age and it was really incredible. I would rank his second run above his first run. With these Taker matches the past couple of years provide to be a great debate to take over my all time fav matches, HBK's match with Chris Jericho at Mania 19 is still tops for me. He has really given me a lot to remember as a fan and made me realize why I love this business. Forever he will be known to me as the greatest in ring performer I have ever seen. Yes I know this is wrestling and nobody ever really leaves but for this moment I think Shawn does have the stones to end on a high note. There is nothing else for him to do. He just had what i would consider 2 of the best matches of his career in the past 2 years on the biggest stage of them all. He is Mr. Wrestlemania and thats the perfect way to go out.
Long live The Heartbreak Kid, The Showstopper, The Headliner, The MAIN EVENT...THE ICON!