5 Superstars put over by Shawn Michaels

The famous Wrestlemania 19 match between Michaels and JerichoShawn Michaels has done it all in the WWF/E. From starting out as the cocky “ÂBoy Toy” in the mid nineties who was a pain-in-the-behind inside the ring as well outside to transforming himself into a born-again Christian during his second run with the company, HBK has come full circle. While Michaels was known for refusing to put talent over during his first run, he more than made up for it during his second.Also read: Top 5 WWE wrestlers who sang their own theme songsThis list takes a look at five Superstars whom Michaels put over during his WWF/E run. This only contains the instances where a Superstar has risen to a higher level within the company after feuding with Michaels. So Michaels’ feuds with the likes of Triple H and Kurt Angle when they were already on top of the roster aren’Ât taken into consideration.

#1 Randy Orton

Randy Orton benefitted from his matches with HBK

The first up and comer that Shawn Michaels put over in the WWE was none other than the Legend Killer himself – Randy Orton. 

The year was 2003 and Orton was running around as part of the Evolution stable. Their feud started when Orton cost Michaels matches on successive Raw episodes – one against Ric Flair and the next against Chris Jericho – and Raw GM Eric Bischoff pitted Michaels against the young upstart in a match at Unforgiven.

It was a huge step up in class for Orton who had just been thrust into the WWE main event picture a few months earlier. But a great buildup was followed by a great match and Michaels did his part for the business by taking the loss that put Orton over.

Orton’s victory would be with the aid of brass knuckles, but he was a made man after the match. Orton would eliminate Michaels to become the sole survivor in that year’s Survivor Series as well. He would go on to win the Intercontinental and World Heavyweight title within a year and became one of the greatest superstars in WWE history.

Michaels would put Orton over yet again in a 2007 feud over the WWE Championship which would begin with one of the very first instances of Orton’s infamous running punts.