Shawn Michaels vs. John Cena
It's time for the main event as John Cena will defend his WWE Heavyweight Championship against DeGeneration X's Shawn Michaels. That match is coming up next!
We are shown video clips of both Michaels and Cena.
We're back in the ring with Lilian telling us that this match is for the WWE Heavyweight Championship. The DeGeneration X theme music begins as The Heart Break Kid Shawn Michaels emerges from backstage. Lilian Garcia formally announces him. Shawn Michaels climbs the ropes and pumps the crowd up as the DX music continues to fill the speakers at Ford Field! We're outside of Ford Field where we are taken to a clip of a new body style Ford Mustang is seen speeding inside of the building. The car is smashed through the WrestleMania 23 glass as Cena's music hits and he emerges as the driver of the Mustang. With an extravagant entrance, Cena holds his title high as he walks down the ramp with his title on his arm. Michaels looks on from the ring more focused than ever. Cena runs down the ramp and enters the ring. He pumps the crowd where he receives a mixed reaction. Cena removes his shirt as the referee holds up the gold. Both wrestlers are in their respective corners. The referee conducts a search on Champion John Cena and Challenger Shawn Michaels.
The crowd is ready and so are Michaels and Cena, but Michaels starts a mind game with Cena as he sits on the top turnbuckle, acting as if he doesn't have a care in the world.
Both men are finally on their feet, sizing each other up. HBK motions Cena forward.
HBK acts like he wants to shake hands, but smacks Cena instead. He brings Cena to the ground and gives the DX crotch chop! Cena must regroup mentally as Michaels has just insulted him. The two men lock up as Michaels takes early control. Cena counters by throwing HBK over the top of his head. Michaels connects with a huge backhand chop, brining Cena to the ground. Cena is slow to get up as Michaels talks trash. Both men are back on their feet and lock up again. HBK continues to out wrestle Cena, using his shoulder as a block. Michaels gets Cena back on the mat, where the referee checks for a count. HBK locks in a headlock and throws the Champion back down on the mat. Cena is being humiliated. We’ve seen nothing from Champion Cena as Michaels has the control of the match. Finally, Cena connects a clothesline on Michaels, showing his first signs of life in the match. Cena looks re-focused as he waits for Michaels to get back to his feet. Michaels gets up only to be taken down by Cena. HBK counters with clinched fists. Cena counters but HBK regains control on the outside apron. HBK hip tosses Cena to the outside where he follows him. The two wrestlers are in front of the announce table as Cena falls to his knees. HBK gets in the ring as he connects a springboard moonsault onto Cena on the announce table. Both performers are shaken up, Cena got the worst of it, as he holds his back. Shawn Michaels puts Cena back into the ring and connects a Ric Flair backhand chop. The referee shouts for Michaels to get Cena out of the corner as he continues the backhand chop attack. Ric Flair “WHOOOS” fill crowd of Ford Field as Michaels starts to work on Cena’s knee joint. Michaels, in control of the match, works on Cena’s kneecap as Cena crawls inside of the ring. Cena appears to be begging for mercy as the referee asks him if he is able to continue. At this point in the match, Shawn Michaels is giving John Cena a wrestling lesson as he remains in control of the match. Cena briefly shows signs of life. Michaels immediately regains control by using his shoulder to keep the Champion in the corner against the turnbuckles. HBK issues more backhand chops. The crowd goes nuts for Michaels and his backhand chops, but Cena finally counters. Michaels looks to bury his head into the chest of Cena, but he moves out of the way, causing Michaels to hit his head on the ring post. Michaels is bleeding from his head. Both men are shaken up, Michaels on his feet, Cena waiting. Cena regains control with right hands, working on his bleeding forehead. The face of Shawn Michaels is a crimson mask as the momentum of the match has completely changed. Cena connects five knuckle shuffle on the bleeding head of Shawn Michaels. Cena goes for the FU but Michaels is able to counter out of it. Michaels accidentally superkicks the referee, both men are on the ground and the referee is knocked out. Both men are in the ring laying on their backs. Michaels is moving as he goes to the outside with blood all over his face. Folks, I can not stress how much blood is on Michaels' face. Michaels gets Cena and gives him a Piledriver on the steel steps outside of the ring. Cena is laying motionless on the outside. Cena is now bleeding from the back of his head as HBK puts the Champion back in the ring. HBK motions for a new referee as he goes for the cover. Cena kicks out on the count of two! Referee Jack Doane is now officiating the match as Michaels brings Cena back to his feet. Cena counters but Michaels returns the favor quickly. This is a WrestleMania moment as it looks as if HBK can sense victory. Michaels goes to the top rope and connects to the face of John Cena. Cena is motionless, bleeding in the middle of the ring as Michaels pumps the crowd. HBK tunes up Sweet Chin Music. Somehow, some way, Cena counters with a clothesline, sending both men to the ground. The referee begins the double count out. Both men get to their feet and exchange blows. Cena connects with hard right hands on the bloody face of Shawn Michaels. Cena goes for the FU but Michaels counters for a two count. The crowd is getting hot as the two wrestlers look exhausted. The Challenger Michaels whips Cena into the ropes, but Cena blocks his leap frog attempt and hits the FU. The fans boo as Cena looks to be very close to retaining his title. Cena slowly goes for the three count and only gets a two count. He wasted too much time as Michaels looks to get back on his feet. Cena sets HBK on the top turnbuckle, but HBK counters with right hands. The two men exchange blows but Cena hooks the FU, HBK counters. Cena is looking for the STFU, but Michaels counters again and gets a two count. Cena counters and locks in the STFU. The referee checks for a tap out. HBK looks to tap, but appears to be holding on. Michaels goes for the bottom rope. HBK reaches the rope and the referee had to pull Cena off to break the hold. Cena and the referee get into a confrontation as Michaels nails Sweet Chin Music! Both men are shaken up as HBK puts an arm over the Champion. Cena will not die as Michaels only gets two on a weak pin. The referee begins the double count out. Michaels and Cena both get to their feet, balancing off of one another. Cena goes for the FU but HBK counters. Cena counters again and locks in the STFU. The referee checks for a tap out while HBK can no longer stand it. HBK taps to John Cena in the STFU, losing the match.
John Cena has retained the WWE Heavyweight Champion via submission on the STFU.
The referee gives Cena his title back as he falls to his knees. Michaels is still laying in the middle of the ring in pain. Cena lets his emotions get to him as the referee raises his hand and proclaims him victorious. The pyros go off at the entrance way as Cena looks up to the crowd and poses for the camera. Michaels is out of the ring, Cena is in the ring celebrating alone. After the match, Cena attempts to shake the hand of Shawn Michaels, but Michaels pushes him away and makes his way to the locker room. John Cena re-enters the ring where confetti is launched into the crowd as Cena holds up his belt.
WrestleMania 23 is in the books, thanks for joining us!