SummerSlam! Show meets the Show Stopper. The Legend vs. the Icon. It's Hulk Hogan vs. Shawn Michaels! But how could such a dream match happen" It was on May 1, 2005 at Backlash when Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels teamed up for the very first time in history and took on the team of Muhammad Hassan and Daivari. When the two came out the whole crowd went nuts. Two of the biggest names ever teaming up together to take on to hated heals. Naturally, Shawn took all the abuse to sell the match since he new Hogan couldn't. And when Hogan came in he did his little in-ring routine and got the pin fall. The two then posed for the crown and as always they went nuts.

Then on June 27, 2005 right after having the WWE Champion, John Cena drafted to RAW, Cena was placed in a 6 man tag match. Where he had to chose his own partners. Being the new kid on the block Cena didn't know anyone from the RAW locker room. He ended up finding one person that would be willing to help him. The Heart Break Kid Shawn Michaels. Shawn then said that he had made the call and Cena's third partner would be there that night. Once Shawn got done his million and two compliments for his mystery partner, the Hulks music came out and the crowd jumped out of their seats as always. The three pretty much dominated the match. And once again the Hulkster didn't take any real damage in the ring.

On July 4, 2005 HBK and Hulk Hogan had their very last tag team match. The two were in the main event as always. It was Kurt Angle and Carlito Cool vs. Shawn Michaels and Hulk Hogan. After destroying the two and a round of more posing for the crowd, Hulk turns around only to receive a boot in the jaw and Shawn lands the Sweet Chin Music on Hogan. The crowd suddenly went quiet as the people felt betrayed by Shawn. For the next week alls you could hear is the same question over and over. Why Shawn why"

The following week Shawn was to appear on Pipers Pit, with "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. Piper asked Shawn why he dealt such a cheap shot to the Hulk. Shawn replied by making the following statements (courteous of OWW Results)

Shawn Michaels says he literally broke his back to give the fans something to remember....

Nobody has created more RAW and PPV moments than The Heartbreak Kid.

Nobody has left the fans with more Wrestlemania Moments or impacted the industry like he has.

He sacrificed himself to give the fans what they wanted -- One More Match for Hogan. And that match would be against HIM!

Shawn Michaels then issued a challenge to "The Immortal" Hulk Hogan for a match at SummerSlam.

Over the next few weeks Shawn poked fun at the Hulkster; making jokes about his age and physical condition, the fact that he was out promoting his show rather then showing up at the arena. He stated that Hulk was all show, and that at SummerSlam he would be facing the Show Stopper!

While at first the majority of fans were behind Hogan every week it seemed as though more people came to be cheering for Shawn Michaels. Now I have nothing against Hulk Hogan. He has done some incredible things in the ring. But Michaels was right when he said he was all show. Hogan doesn't even have to do anything and the fans go crazy. He's living off of an image created 20 years ago. And now he no longer has to defend it. Shawn Michaels has lived off of his image he created over 15 years ago. The only difference is HBK actually defends his image and keeps earning it time and time again.

Before the Hogan - Michaels feud how many great match you remember Hulk being in these paste few years. Not many if any. What about Shawn" He came back form a four year absence and took on HHH in a non-sanctioned match. He won the World Heavy Weight Championship in the first ever Elimination chamber. He defended it in a Three Stages of Hell match. He has the main event at Wrestlemania 21. He took on Hunter in a Hell in a Cell match. Shawn had earned his name long ago, yet he still lives up to it today by delivering on great matches like these. Hulk Hogan may have done some incredible things in the past, but has done nothing for today. You'll notice all of his recent matches all Hogan does is his signature moves and almost never takes a hit in a match. It's all show. And hopefully at SummerSlam the show will end. I guess immortality really does have a price...

by Brian Riddle ..