Which period of HBK's career is better?

["Gentleman" AJ Powell]

Shawn Michaels is largely considered one of the best wrestlers of all time. In my mind, his career's always been broken into two sections, the part before his retirement due to injuring his back at the '98 rumble, and all the stuff post his return in '02 up until he lost to 'Taker.

Personally, I think that the latter period was the better part of his career, as he just seemed more passionate. It helps knowing he wasn't such a jackass backstage during this time too, although I may be biased as I missed some of his earlier stuff.

So I turn to thee, fair denizens of the FAN boards, and ask you, what was the superior half of HBK's lengthy career?

[Boo!]

pre 1998 definitely. I always thought it was a bit unfortunate he was stick with his 'Sexy Boy' theme when he began to look haggered

[repomark]

Close run thing, but I think he had more even more classics when he returned than in his original run. The Taker match at WM25 and the match with Kurt Angle at Mania 21 are my two favourite matches of all time, so that settles it for me.

[The Tank]

His comeback definitely had better matches, but DAMN IT, HE SHOULD'VE HAD THE GOLD FOR MORE THAN A MONTH. HE SHOULDA BEAT CENA AT 'MANIA. SOMETHING. SOME RUN WITH THE WWE/WORLD TITLE.

So really, I'm gonna have to say they're equal just because of that.

[Professor Chaos]

Cocky, flamboyant dick Pre 98 was definitely a better character then born again christian.

[The Legendary Ring Troll {BLM}]

Pre 98 he was my favorite wrestler until Stone Cold dethroned him, so gotta go with that.

[Kayfabe FAN don't want none]

Outfit wise: pre injury.

Everything else: post injury.

[Crappler El 0 M]

Overall, his 2002-2010 period is his best period. He had the great matches with Triple H and the epic matches with The Undertaker. He had great matches with Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle. He had the classic match with Ric Flair at Mania. The Hogan feud was brief, but really entertaining.

[mo]

The 2002-2010 stint is the reason he has the legacy he has today, I seriously doubt we'd be getting all the "best WWE wrestler ever" talk had he stayed retired after 98. As much as I hated the never ending HHH feud and the new DX stuff, I'd probably choose his last run.

[Essential1]

Post injury he blatantly had better matches and got to work with some of the best. His pre 1998 character was so much more fun though.

[TGM]

On his return, he realised he couldn't put his body though so much any more, so he compensated by working on his timing and directing the crowd. I seriously think post 2002 Shawn Michaels may be the greatest wrestler I've ever seen.

[Surfer Sandman]

HBK was at his best from 2002-2012.

I really enjoyed his matches with Hogan and Flair.

[Stu]

Nov 15, 2013 8:27:28 GMT -5 The Tank said:

His comeback definitely had better matches, but DAMN IT, HE SHOULD'VE HAD THE GOLD FOR MORE THAN A MONTH. HE SHOULDA BEAT CENA AT 'MANIA. SOMETHING. SOME RUN WITH THE WWE/WORLD TITLE.

I would say a better time to give him gold was in 2008 during the Jericho feud. SRS Jericho was great and I was pleasantly surprised he came out on top. That said, that was the type of feud that should've ended with the heel getting his comeuppance and the face winning the championship.