Is Shawn Michaels the greatest all around wrestler of all time?

[Sasori]

O.k so hear me out here. I was reading and posting on the "Does HBK need another title run" or something thread. And I remember typing "I think HBK is the best all around wrestler of all time IMO."

Soooo, I'd like to know your humble opinion. Is HBK the best all around wrestler of all time? And if you dis-agree please tell me why. And tell me who YOU think is the greatest all around wrestler of all time. Also tell me why. Please do not spam either.

IMO he IS the greatest all around wrestler of all time.

In-ring performance: He's Mr. Wrestlemania, and he's earned that nick name by constantly having the best match of the year starting at WM 10 in a ladder match against Razor Ramon for the WWF IC championship. He's had what many call the greatest WM match against the Undertaker at WM 25, and nearly ended the 17-0 streak. He can brawl, fly, grapple, and every now and than pull of a power and submission move. He is widely regarded as the best performer of all time.

Mic/Promo cutting skills: This is where he kinda lacks these days. But he has had some all time great promos. Who can ever forget the infamous Barber Shop Rockers break up break up promo, that catapulted Shawn into the legend he is, or various old time DX promos, not this PG DX crap.

Entrance: He's just a sexy boy! His entrance feat. the late Sherri Martel is the most fitting entrance music of all time! Can you imagine Shawn Michaels not using this as his theme?

Titles/Achievements: Though Shawn has never won over a dozen world titles like Triple H, Sting, Flair, Hogan, etc. He is still the first ever Grand Slam champion winning, the IC, WWE, World Heavyweight, European, and Tag Team titles. You cant forgot all those slammys and PWI awards either.

So anyways...... DISCUSS!

 

[SSJPhenom]

God this is going to kill me, but no, Shawn Michaels, I can't believe I'm saying this, is not the greatest all around wrestler of all time.

Don't get me wrong, Shawn Michaels is the greatest in ring performer that wrestling has ever seen. Sasori, you're going to get some people that are going to come in here and tell you that HBK is overrated and what have you. When they say this, just simply ask, who has had better matches in ALL OF WRESTLING than Shawn Michaels? I promise you, they will not be able to name anyone and if they do; they will say, "Well in my opinion".

However, when it comes to all around wrestling, (I.E. mic skills, in ring performance, ring/crowd psychology, etc) the answer is Ric Flair. Ric could do it all. He could make you cheer him or boo him. He has had some of the best matches that wrestling has ever seen with people like: Harley Race, Sting, Dusty Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat, Terry Funk, and on and on. He could talk with the best of them. Some of his promos in the NWA are absolutely golden. Y'know, "Diamonds are forever and so is Ric Flair." He was just great. Most of all, however, Flair was a great draw and that was something that Michaels has never been. Sure Michaels carried the WWE in the mid 90's but they failed miserably. Flair could carry companies and proved that with the NWA and early WCW. Flair was just awesome.

I suggest to any fan that isn't aware of Flair's work with the NWA to youtube him now. He was just amazing to watch.

 

[Norwegian Black Metal]

Shawn Michaels is definately a top superstar, but I can't say that he is better that Flair.
Flair was the greatest performer in anyway possible. In his prime he could do it all. No slight on Michaels at all! Flair is the Man!!!! Whooo!!!!!

 

[LongHessa]

Absolutly Not. In the ring he's very good, but not the best. Bret is better "In the ring" than Shawn for my money. His Mic skills are good but not even close to the greatest. He certainly is no Austin or Rock. His entrance is cool, but again nowhere near the best. And he isnt even in the top 20 when it comes to titles....So even if you wanted to round all this out I cant see how he would be the best ever....but its just my opinion. I agree with the poster above, I thinks Austin is probaly the most well rounded wrestler ever.

 

[Norwegian Black Metal]

Ric Flair is the greatest because he did it in an age before cable t.v. He had to defend the NWA title in different "territories". Depending on where he was, he was either the heel or the face. People clammored to see him as he basically toured defending the title. He feuded with every star imaginable at the time, had matches against the WWF champ and AWA champ in unification matches. He did this all without the help of today's media and still is a huge star. He was absolutely awesome!

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

I'm not going with either HBK or even Flair. My choice for the greatest all around wrestler of all time has to be Randy Savage. He could do all that you claim HBK can do and more. He has had great matches with Steamboat, Flair, Hogan, Warrior, and even Sammartino. Savage could fly with the best of them of that time and he can brawl and grapple with just about everybody. He had the entrace, the look, good on the mic, and always had Miss Elizabeth by his side. Savage is the greatest all-around wrestler and I didn't think twice about it.

 

[whitefox]

While I do think he perhaps could have had a couple more title reigns, I think he is the best all rounder of all time.

He is one of the best ever in ring, he truely is up there with the absolute best of all time.

On the mic, while not on par the likes of Rock and Austin, he is still certainly extremely good, particulary when he was in his prime. (I'm not so keen on his PG era promos)

On the face of it his entrance muic is shit... but then I've always liked it and I think most people do. You're right you can't imagine him coming out to any other music.

While he is not the best in all 4 areas, he is atleast very good in all of them. I can't think of anone else who exceeds him in every area.

 

[Southwind]

Ric Flair it's not even close sorry he put wrestling on the map and there is still 60 year olds I run into nowadays that yell "whooooo" he's iconic.

His mic skill was incredible he could wrestle just as well and his work is legend (four horseman evolution etc.) His matches with Ricky Steamboat and all the other greats just make it indisputable but it is just my opinion.

 

[Greenlight13]

I think Austin was the best superstar of all time, but perhaps not the best wrestler. It's a very fine line, but I'd give the nod to Shawn in terms of talent.

Austin drew more than anyone bar Hogan and according to him he had more consecutive sell-outs and sold more merchandise but I don't know the precise figures for any of that, so we'll take it as hypothetical. Austin was THE force behind the Attitude Era. He was the most recognizable name in wrestling in the 90s, he was involved in one of the biggest storylines in wrestling history when he took on Vince, he was really good in the ring, cut amazing promos and was just insanely over.

HOWEVER

I would agree that Shawn Michaels may just be the best all-around wrestler of all time. He may not have drawn like Hogan or Austin, he may not have talked or had the star power of Flair or The Rock, he may not have wrestled like Kurt Angle, but in terms of a combination I think he's as good as it gets. Like I think he was a better pure talent in the ring than Hogan, Rock or Austin, a better talker and more charismatic than Kurt, and call it blasphemy but I think he was marginally better in the ring than Flair.

He and Bret carried the WWF during the time WCW was kicking their ass and that may be evidence that he was in fact not good at all, but I refer you back to the superstar point. Shawn didn't have star power that could draw ratings or money. You didn't go out of your way to make sure you never missed a Shawn Michaels match. The superstars were people like Hogan, Flair, Savage, Undertaker, Austin, Rock, even Goldberg. These were the guys that were tipping the balance back and forth in the Monday Night Wars. But when you DID watch Shawn Michaels, he always delivered.

His whole persona was gold, he was compelling as a tag specialist, a solo star, in DX and as a heel with a manager. He could talk as well as virtually anyone that's ever picked up a microphone, he was athletic and exciting in the ring but was also technically sound and worked body parts. And his style of wrestling meant he could be paired up with any opponent of any size and you believed it was possible that he'd win.

Sweet Chin Music is the kind of move that you buy would put down the likes of Kane, Undertaker, Nash, Vader etc. But the beauty of the move is it is BUILT for storylines. Shawn could hit that kick with no set-up whatsoever so you could have him kick anyone at anytime, friend or foe and it was almost always a minor shock.

In fact that's why I give him a nod over Flair. You can't just lock on the Figure Four out of nowhere. I've just never been a fan of not having a pinning move to go with their favoured submission, and besides roll-ups and dirty tactics Flair doesn't have that. Without that one move he can just hit on someone as a surprise attack or swerve or something it minorly handicaps his character to me.

I'd like to note before I close that it's only be a minority that I think he edges Flair before I get flamed for dissing "the best ever". But yeah, HBK as a total package is my favourite wrestler of all time and though that may make me biased, I think he's the best all-around WRESTLER of all time.

 

[classicviolence]

No

Ric Flair is better than HBK by a few notces. I am not going to go into too much detail about it. I would just say that his 1989 feud with Steamboat is better than almost anything HBK has done. *I know that is a stretch*

Bret Hart is better than HBK. Both wrestlers mic skills are questionable and everything else is even except for ring work. Bret was smooth in ring, never bouncing around over selling moves (unlike HBK @ Survivor Series 05) HBK tends to over sell alot and botch moves unlike Bret.

Chris Jericho is better than HBK. Not only was he legitimately the first undisputed champion in 50 years, his ring work, promos, and feuds were just as entertaining and legendary as HBK. (Benoit v Jericho is one of the best rivalries of all time.) Jericho also gave HBK his best feud and matches in years (barring that 1 match with Taker @ WM25) in 2003 and 2008.

 

[Stress]

This is an interesting thread. After much thought, I have to give the nod as best wrestler of all time to... Shawn Michaels. He does it all. The only reason he lacks in title reigns is because he is above the title. He doesn't need to wrestle for a world championship to main event a card, and Vince knows that. I respect Flair, but there was obviously a reason he wanted his last major match to be with... yeah, thats right... Michaels. On top of in ring abilities and mic skills, Shawn has left us with the greatest "OMG" moments in WWE history.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

Ric Flair it's not even close sorry he put wrestling on the map and there is still 60 year olds I run into nowadays that yell "whooooo" he's iconic.

His mic skill was incredible he could wrestle just as well and his work is legend (four horseman evolution etc.) His matches with Ricky Steamboat and all the other greats just make it indisputable but it is just my opinion.

Flair wasn't much of a draw though and that has something to do with being the best all-around wrestler. Hogan was the one who brought wrestling to the mainstream while Flair was in the NWA. The people always came to see Hogan more than they did Flair and that was true even when they were in different companies so I think Hogan is an all-around better wrestler than Flair but you have your preference and I have mine.

 

[AnthonyMango/NoFate007]

Yes.

Are there people that are better than Shawn in each category? Yes. The Rock is better on the mic. Hart/Angle are better technical wrestlers. Bourne/Mysterio/etc are better high-flyers. Orton and Morrison have better physiques. Etc etc etc. But Michaels is the best overall when you combine it all together.

Shawn's able to do it all except one thing - play the "power" role. Shawn can have a great match with any type of wrestler out there and he's one of the most versatile in-ring performers ever. But more than just being able to adapt and tweak his moveset to each night, he knows how to tell a story. If you want Shawn to go out there and have a 30 minute spotfest, he can do it. If you want Shawn to go out there and have a 30 minute technical match with submissions and such, he can do it. If you want Shawn to go out there and brawl, he can do it. If you want Shawn to go out there with an old man that can do nothing but chop and say "woo", he can still get the crowd into it despite how everyone knows who will win. If you want Shawn to go out and cut a heel OR face promo, he can do it. And every time he goes out and does "it", he does it exceptionally. Seriously, what can't the guy do?

Shawn Michaels is easily, EASILY, the best all-around wrestler in my mind.

 

[CDR]

Shawn Michaels is great. But to call him the best all-around wrestler might be a little far fetched. Don't get me wrong, I think he's at the very top of the business. He's just not the Babe Ruth of wrestling.

In-ring ability: Here is probably his best catagory. Today, he's probably one of, if not the best, wrestlers in the business. His Iron Man Match truely showed this. When it comes down to wrestling, he's a 9.5 out of 10. I'm not sure quite what it is, but with his wrestling there's just something that seems to be lacking that keeps him from being a perfect 10.

Promos/Mic skills: He is great here. Pulling off a great promo is something that doesn't just happen when you go out there. His promos never put people to sleep and he pulls off his character great. Here I'd give him 9 out 10. 10 is Ric Flair territory. He's not there.

Entrance: I think having a good entrance theme is a lost art. Nowadays, all the new guys' themes sound the same to me, but the older guys, like Shawn, 'Taker, Flair, or Trips, have themes that don't sound the same as others. Here I'd give Shawn a perfect 10 out of 10. Nobody else has a similar theme as him, music or actual entrance.

Achievements: First time Hell in the Cell, Elimination Chamber, some other stuff winner, Grand Slam champion. This shows that Vince wanted Shawn to be the guy to do this stuff. Not Bret, not Trips. Shawn, which shows how well a wrestler he is. However, those four years out of action hurt him. There's really no way to tell what his accomplishments would be today if he hadn't hurt his back. Here he gets an 8 out of 10. Those four missing years did not help at all.

Now, obviously there are going to be people who totally disagree with this because it seems that on here everybody hates him. But, I think he's one of the best in the business. To answer the original question, no he's not the best. But he is very close to the top of the list.

 

[justinept]

Gotta love this thread. I wouldn't say HBK is the all-time greatest, though he has certainly earned himself a spot in the debate.

I think many of the obvious other contenders have been said ... though I'm a bit disappointed that some have pointed at these people, and then gone at some length to say how Michaels doesn't compare to them.

Some have said that Michaels oversold moves unlike the Hitman - but then they've forgotten to mention that Flair was the king of the oversell. Personally, I don't see this as a negative as it can be highly entertaining. I find underselling a move to be a lot worse than overselling.

Some have mentioned that Hart and Michaels were both mediocre on the mic while Flair was superb. Well, Flair was superb - and though Hart definitely had his problems on the mic (why do you think he wore those sunglasses?) - Michaels was just a notch below Flair during his heyday. People forget that HBK had some truly memorable promos in the 90's since his promos nowadays are so hokey.

Now when it comes to in-ring work, I'm not too educated with Flair since his heyday was either before my time or with a company that I didn't follow ... I didn't even know who Ric Flair was until 1992, and by then, his work was (according to some) starting to slip.

What I can do is speak fairly educted on Michaels. He has won countless match of the year awards dating all the way back to 1993 when him and Marty Jannetty won the honor during an epside of Monday Night Raw. He stole the show in 1994 in his ladder match with Scott Hall ... He stole the show in 1996 with his iron man match with Bret Hart ... He has stolen the show with just about every style of wrestler ... Flair, Hart, Angle (technical); Jannetty, Jericho (speed, high flyer); Foley (brawler); Undertaker, Hall, Nash (Big man)... Some might argue that he isn't the best of all time; but it'd be harder to deny him as the best active wrestler of the past 25-30 years.

 

[Greenlight13]

Bret Hart is better than HBK. Both wrestlers mic skills are questionable and everything else is even except for ring work. Bret was smooth in ring, never bouncing around over selling moves (unlike HBK @ Survivor Series 05) HBK tends to over sell alot and botch moves unlike Bret.

Chris Jericho is better than HBK. Not only was he legitimately the first undisputed champion in 50 years, his ring work, promos, and feuds were just as entertaining and legendary as HBK. (Benoit v Jericho is one of the best rivalries of all time.) Jericho also gave HBK his best feud and matches in years (barring that 1 match with Taker @ WM25) in 2003 and 2008.

Bret was a better technical wrestler than Shawn but lacked his star power and when you say they were both questionable on the mic, I think Shawn's was better than Bret, or at least more compelling. Bret is a pure-wrestling fan's wrestler, but that isn't what was asked.

Jericho is a modern day marvel. But he was not a legit undisputed champion. When one company has two heavyweight titles and a wrestler holds them that isn't the same as if somebody had held the old NWA Heavyweight title and the WCW/WWF title. His rivalry with Benoit is one of the best of all time in terms of in-ring work, it produced freakin' amazing wrestling, but it lacked the storyline pull of Shawn's best work, or for that matter a lot of Jericho's. I'd put Jericho right up there, but he's never legitimately carried a company virtually solo and though Shawn never drew all that much I'd wager he consistently outdrew Jericho on Y2J's best day.

 

[Undercurrent]

Oh great...a thread full of Flair marks. *rolls eyes*

Shawn Michaels is most definitely one of the greatest all around performers but if I had to narrow it down to just one competitor, I would go with Kurt Angle.

In-ring performance: Kurt Angle has brought the best out of every opponent he has ever worked with and has never had a weak match. Kurt's matches are a work of art that are constantly placed under a microscope and analyzed over and over again with zero flaws found.


Mic/Promo cutting skills: Whether he was playing the loveable and goofy American Hero or the despisable and aggressive heel, he embodied entertainment. Kurt Angle has always been extremely convincing and memorable whenever a microphone is placed in his hands.

Entrance: Ignoring his TNA entrance which is still somewhat impressive, his WWE entrance was perhaps one of the most fitting of all time. His patriotic theme combined with the red white and blue pyro and you suck chants is always bound to provide goosebumps.

Titles/Achievements: Kurt Angle has had one of the most accomplished careers in the history of professional wrestling. Has anyone had a more impressive debut year?


Honourable Mentions: The Rock, Steve Austin and Randy Savage.

 

[Greenlight13]

@Undercurrent

I'd put Kurt right up there in the top 5 without hesitation, hell I'd say it comes down to HBK, Angle and Flair, but I still think HBK gets the slight edge.

Kurt is the flat out best at WRESTLING there has ever been. When it comes to executing and taking moves inside of the ring he's second to none. And he was always surprisingly solid on the mic given how those that come into pro wrestling from other fields usually are. He can hang with anyone on the mic. He has a legitimacy and thus star power due to his amateur background and his entrances were all great.

BUT

I think Shawn slightly beats him out in terms of charisma and promo skills. Slightly. It's nice to see a suggestion other than Flair though.

 

[Matowar]

I dont think the Rock or Austin were better on the mic. They made goofy comments and swore. I hate the whole Austin "what" crap, that ranks up there with the mizs' "oh really". Shawn was way better on the mic because he could actually tell a story unlike the Rock and Austin who would just yell silly catch phrases. Shawn could out wrestle either one of them. Lets face it they may have been entertaining but they could barely wrestle. Titles shouldnt be included in this because they are "given" to a certain wrestler. Does anyone think Hogan was ever one of the best technical wrestlers ever? Evan Bourne is a better wrestler than Hogan ever was. But does he even rank in this industry? Ric Flair was awesome but I think Shawn edges him out slightly with his in ring ability. Savage was awesome but I think Shawn was slightly better at promos. Austin and the Rock had that undefinable charisma but Shawn could out wrestle either of them. Hart may have been a more technical wrestler but had no charisma. Hogan was full of charisma and could cut a promo with the best of them but he had limited wrestling ability. Shawn may not be the best wrestler ever or have the most charisma or have the best promos but being a close second in all categories makes him the best overall. After Shawn I would have to say that Savage is a very close second.

 

[Norwegian Black Metal]

The thing that hurts Ric Flair in my opinion in this discussion is that he stayed in the game for far too long. He looked absurd in his final time in the WWE. His WM match with Shawn Michaels was the only shining moment, and I must admit Michaels carried that match IMO. But for an entire body of work Flair gets the nod.

 

[peter_midnight]

Three wrestlers come to my mind for all around best (U.S. anyway). Owen Hart, great in the ring, hilarious on the mic and realistic all around.

Sting, how can anyone ignore some of the things that Sting did in his early days in NWA/WCW. The guy has much more credibility than Shawn Michaels and has been able to reinvent himself. Something Shawn hasn't done since he hooked up with Sherri. That's why he's the man called Sting.

Finally my number one pick. Everyone will disagree, but take a look at the argument. It's "Ravishing" Rick Rude. This guy had one of the most unique gimmicks ever, that was never duplicated. Although, he kind of stole it from Brutus Beefcake Rick Rude was a Superstar. He had bitches in the ring with the Rude Awakening. Good worker, in excellent shape, won the Jesse "The Body" Award (and had the most unique look of his time) and had the best mustache in the history of the business. I mean this guy was Burt Reynolds on steroids. My favorite part about Ravishing Rick was that he was always a heel. He's exactly what HHH couldn't do right, be a cool heel that EVERYBODY boos! I mean you wanted to be him because he got the girls, but you hated him because he would tell you and show you why he was better than you. And as a guy you couldn't cheer a guy who swiveled his hips. He was even an asshole to the ladies whom he macked in the ring. He always did his own thing and had classic bouts with Sting and Jake "the Snake" Roberts. I challenge you to find me a heel that was better than Rick Rude. Maybe Scott Steiner, but other than him it doesn't come close. Okay maybe Vince McMahon too, lol!

This guy was on Raw and Nitro the same night and made Vince McMahon to be a fool twice. The first time when he cut a promo on Bossman and then left the company and then that night on Raw and Nitro. Did I mention he never wore the same gear twice? (once he started using custom made tights anyway). Also, he never changed his name. He was either Ricky Rude or Rick Rude.

He's simply ravishing he's happening he knows that he's cool, all the girls go crazy they don't know what to do, he'll steal your girl, break her heart and leave you a fool, he's simply ravishing, dazzling, ravishing RUDE!!!

 

[MattMoses]

No, I don't think Shawn Michaels is the greatest all around wrestler of all-time. There's a few people I'd choose over him, and the one who comes to mind more than the others is Sting. Take a look at him from either a promoters aspect or a fans aspect - you couldn't ask for someone better.

Take a look at him in-ring. What is there this guy couldn't do? He could brawl with Vader, high fly with Muta, get hardcore with Cactus Jack, get technical with the likes of Regal and Flair, he could perform suplexes and powerslams on guys double his weight and size - he's what I'd consider a total package as far as in-ring work goes. Throw in his near-unmatchable charisma, what more could you ask for?

Now taking a look at his body of work. Impressive to say the least. His series with Vader rank among the best series of matches ever. The majority of matches with Flair were often spectacular. Several classics with Muta. Foley. Rick Rude. DDP. Midnight Express. Four Horsemen. Steiner Brothers. Steve Austin. The list could go on.

NWA champion in two different companies and eras. WCW World champion, TNA World champion. Er, 12 in total or something like that. Won PWI's most popular superstar more than any other wrestler. One of the biggest draws in the biggest decade of wrestling. Longetivity. Sold a load of merchandise. Dedicated and loyal to his company. Need I continue?

 

[trinerigelado]

Its El Santos he was so big in Luche Libre he was starring in movies as El Santos, there is no one in the business that transcended wrestling like El Santos did its unreal Hogan at his most popular wasn't close to El Santos' popularity.

 

[ted sheckler]

Yes IMO Shawn Michaels is the greatest all around wrestler of all time. There are quite a few wrestlers that excel in one or two aspects of the game but there are even fewer that excel in virtually all aspects of the art of pro wrestling. Shawn is regarded by many as the greatest in ring performer of all time. He is a natural on the mic.. he can make the fans laugh.. he has made them cry.. made them cheer a deafening HBK chant and made you so mad you wanted to spit in his face. He was one of the pioneers that got WWF to change direction and go "attitude". He's got 10 MOTY's... Made the ladder match and Hell in a Cell famous.. What can you say about the guy besides he's incredible.

And I don't mean to speak for others but I've heard Chris Jericho and JR both say that all around Shawn is the greatest of all time.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

While I think in terms of Best All Around guy, Michaels is easily top 5, I don't think he was #1. IMO, it is most definitely Steve Austin.

In Ring Ability: Steve Austin was a GREAT in ring competitor. While Michaels was more flashy that Austin, Austin was better in a technical sense. I don't think Austin gets nearly enough credit for how technically sound he was in the ring. He could take an opponent apart, piece by piece. Earlier in his career, while tagging with Pillman, they would put on top notch matches, but I doubt a lot people remember/saw that. He slowed down a big later in his career, which was actually during his prime in the Attitude Era. But if you want to question his in ring ability, go back to his matches with Michaels at King of the Ring 97 and Mania 14. Look at ANY one of his matches with Bret Hart, especially Mania 13. Look at his matches with Kurt Angle, they were all great. His 3 matches with Triple H at No Way Out 2001 were epic, great stuff. He also had amazing matches with The Rock, Jericho, Foley, Taker, and Benoit. Hell, he even made Scott Hall (who was great at one time himself) look half way decent at Mania 18. Just because he wasn't a walking spot fest, doesn't mean he wasn't great in the ring. While some people seem to find a grind it out, blue collar type wrestler to be boring, I find it more entertaining than some guy pretending to be a stuntman.

Mic Skills: This might have been his best attribute. He could get a crowd going no matter who or what he was talking about. And I am not talking about the "What?" chant, which was never a personal favorite of mine. His promos came off so natural, and so believable. He was just an average, everyday kind of guy who hated his boss (and everyone else in the building most of the time), and the fans identified with not just because of the message, but due to his superb delivery. And to whoever said he just dropped a bunch of catch phrases or whatever, that is bullshit, and you obviously have no idea what you are talking about. His promos were origanal, cutting edge stuff. He was very clever and witty, and probably didn't need "cuz stone cold said so" or anything like that, but wrestlers have to have a good catchphrase if they are mic heavy. Michaels (during the beginning of the Attitude Era) was very good on the mic as well, but wasn't on Austins level.

Entrance: I am not sure how anyone can say that there has ever been a better wrestling entrance than Steve Austins. When the glass would break, the crowd would pop louder for Austin than, maybe with the exception of Hogan, anyone in the history of professional wrestling (in the U.S.). His Bad Mother Fucker walk to the ring was the greatest shit ever. He always looked like he had a purpose, while shaking his head and yelling out all kinds of terrible words. And when he would hit each corner of the ring and flip off the entire crowd, I swear to God, being there live, there was nothing else like it. Shawn Michaels entrance (especially Mania 12, which might have been the single coolest entrance ever) was great too, whether it was the HBK or DX (not the new DX) entrance. Just didn't seem as exciting to me as Austins, and I believe Austin probably was a bit more over with the crowd than Michaels was on his way down to the ring.

Titles/Achievements: In all honesty, while they are pretty equal in terms of titles and achievements, I don't put much stock in that, seeing what they win and when they win is decided on by someone else.

So, I hope it doesn't sound like I am bashing Michaels, because I'm not, just think Austin was superior in just about every category, minus big spots.