Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H: Summerslam 2002 or Raw 2003?

[Deleted]

I'm watching these two matches back-to-back and I can judge them under different criteria based on where both HHH and HBK were.

Shawn was in his comeback match. HHH was still bloated at this point and Shawn actually carried him to his first good match since his January 2002 return.

The Raw 2003 match on the other hand, HBK was back in form and HHH was still going through the motions, but did look better here than in 2003.

I'm still having a hard time deciding which one is better. What about the rest of you?

[魔界5号]

Summerslam.

It showed that HBK still had it in him and was just a damn near perfect match with incredible storytelling, ESPECIALLY for somebody's first real match in 4 years.

Not to knock the Raw match, though.

[evenbroddt]

Both are 5 stars or close to it

But I'm pretty sure the 03 Raw one was the only match where I believed in a nearfall after a PUNCH that wasn't a Big Show match

[Deleted]

Everyone is free to their opinion but the correct answer is Summerslam 2002.

[Deleted]

I don't believe I've seen the 03 match.

I watched the Summerslam match live though, it was so good.

[Slanted and Enchanted]

The RAW match as great but Summerslam 2002 was one of the most iconic matches in WWE History.

[fw91]

JR's commentary when HHH hit Michaels in the back with sledgehammer was amazing

[Deleted]

Summerslam.

I've always been an HBK fan but never did I see how great he was until that match. Came out of retirement after being off for years and still put on classic work wearing jeans and a t-shirt no less. HBK solidified himself in my eyes.

[Chiral]

Summerslam is probably the better overall match (and doesn't have a dusty finish), but I have such a nostalgic spot for the 2003 one. I remember the night I watched it so clearly, I was so happy the whole time.

[chronocross]

I went with the Raw match, though I liked the SS match as well.

[Jimichiro Likes Erick Rowan]

SS02. I watched it a little while ago for the first time in several years, maybe a decade, and I was completely blown away by how good it was. I'm voting it my match of the year, because it was the best match I saw this year.

[comahan]

Its easily SummerSlam for me. I think its a slightly better worked match in general, plus it has the added drama of it being Shawn's first match back after almost 4 years away, and shocking everyone with how f***ing incredible he still was. That makes it one of my favorite matches ever.

[Renslayer]

I'm going with Raw 03. The match was flawless, the San Antonio crowd really brings it up a notch and the false finish worked perfectly. Also, that match is probably one of the Top 10 best matches in Raw history

[Magnus the Magnificent]

Raw 2003.
Both matches are great, but for me, the Summmer Slam match relies to much on the unsanctioned, aka no holds barred, gimmick.