Jim Ross talks Shawn Michaels in pre-WrestleMania interview
When I interviewed Jim Ross several months ago, one of the topics we discussed was Shawn Michaels. I used a couple quotes from the legendary WWE announcer in the story I wrote about Michaels for The Baltimore Sun last week.
Here are Ross’ comments about Michaels in their entirety. Ross has known Michaels since the latter broke into the business in Bill Watts’ Mid-South promotion in 1984.
The first time I laid eyes on him I knew he was going to be really good. It was easy to see for many of us – including Bill Watts. I remember Jose Lothario calling Bill and touting this kid that he had trained. He was, I think, 19 years old. He looked like he was 19 going on 12. A real handsome young kid, really, really athletic. He didn’t have to be told things twice. He had a great feel for the game. He had a natural built-in clock as it related to his impeccable timing.
As the years went on … none of us are immune to making mistakes in our personal life or personal habits, getting out of our lane that we’re driving in and getting into either the fast lane or getting off to the shoulder, and Shawn wasn’t immune to those issues. But to me, it never eroded his performance in the ring to the level that others have allowed that to happen. He was so good naturally that he could be in a bad mood or be in a frame of mind that he shouldn’t have been and still have enough God-given talent and abilities – and ego. Shawn always wanted to be the best at what he did
He internalized a lot of things. I don’t think his personal life was so happy and he let it get the better of him. The schedule is not easy, and you add all these negative things to your plate and it’s bound to end up with a negative dish. I think he met the right lady and was lucky enough to marry his best friend and his life partner, which I think is essential in this business.
He left the business for four years with his back issue. I was in charge of talent at WWE. We were paying him – his money was out of my budget, which was fine. I went down to see him because I felt like it was unfortunate the way he left the business and the baggage that he carried on with him when he went home. I felt that was just unfair. I felt that down deep inside he was a good human being. I felt that he was one of the most talented performers I had ever seen on any level in any promotion, and that he deserved the opportunity to hear somebody say to him that he had more to give to this business, and that’s exactly what I said. I said this is really not about a contract. This is about the fact that I believe that you have a lot more to offer the business and that you owe it to yourself and your fans to think about coming back and resurrecting your career so that people’s last memory of you won’t be a misguided one and an ill-informed one. They’re going to go on the last thing they heard. Through those conversations and other conversations he had in the company, he came back and I don’t know that he missed a beat. He came back and there was a little rust here and there, but I thought he was amazing when he came back. I don’t know that there’s another human being on earth who could have been as dormant as he was for as long as he was and come back at a high level as he did and perform as he did. I think it was just meant to be and it was nothing that anyone else could have done but him.
I have always had admiration for his abilities. I’ve had consternation with some of his bad boy antics in the mid-to-latter part of the ’90s when he left, but I have grown to have a profound respect and even a love for the man that he’s become. His belief in God and his faith is real, it’s sincere and it’s everlasting. I think that his relationship with his family is absolutely joyous. God is his top priority, his family is second and the business falls down there somewhere, and I know that years ago that wasn’t the case. Everything was wrestling. If you had a bad day then your day was bad all the way around. One thing you’ll never see – you’ll never see him be a problem at work, you’ll never see him phone a match in and you’ll rarely ever see him be outperformed. I still think day in and day out he’s the best in WWE right now by far.
The match that he had with The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXV was one of the most memorable matches of my entire career – 35 years and seen thousands of matches. It was two old pros who came up through the territory system that took the crowd on a thrill ride of a lifetime. They both have perfected in their own different styles – because their body types and their personas are different – the art of crowd psychology and the art of wrestling. That was one of the greatest performances on an amazingly high pressure stage that I’ve ever seen.
I have the utmost respect for Shawn. He’s a changed man. And he’s a good man. I think he’s one of the great immeasurable treasures of WWE, and on any give night against any given opponent, he will steal the show.
Comments
No arguments with JR's take on HBK. It's a shame that JR did not announce Shawn's last match. Even bigger shame is it dosen't seem he will be the voice of the WWE any longer.
Posted by: mat | April 5, 2010 8:03 PM
Ross is spot on,and not overselling Michael's natural ability. I had the pleasure of seeing a lot of Shawn's rookie matches before he went to UWF,and even when he was green as grass, you could tell he had that "it" factor. It's nice to see him go out on his own terms.
Posted by: Morgan | April 5, 2010 11:31 PM
I was a big fan of Shawn before his comeback. After his change in life and then to see him come into an industry that can challenge a man that walks with God and be able to hold his character the way did, was even more impressive. It seemed that he didn't get any worse over the years and that he somehow found ways to get better. I will miss seeing him every week entertaining us as only he could. God Bless you Shawn in everything you do and enjoy your family. From a big fan, both of your skills and your life, I wish you the very best!
Posted by: Abe | April 6, 2010 2:21 AM
i wonder is JR wants to come back and do a live goodbye for the business and his fans?
i dont think they will let him because its not good enough for tv ratings.
but i personally dont think he needs to.
he was, and will always be the #1 voice of wrestling.
i look back at matches from a decade ago - that he called, and wow he makes them amazing.
thank you Jim Ross
Posted by: Mike L | April 6, 2010 6:37 AM
I am just a fan of shawn michaels.I was born after he debuted in Wrestling.
To me , heis the greatest performers of all times.
We will miss you Shawn!!!.
Eager to see , when he will be included in WWE Hall of Fame.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 6, 2010 6:59 AM
Why has Ring Posts been taken off the Sun blog list? Is it just a glitch or should I be worried?
RESPONSE FROM KE: Not sure what you mean. I just checked. Ring Posts is still there.
Posted by: William R. | April 6, 2010 8:19 AM
Hey Chico, the sexy boy will come back on my terms mang! It's all an act mang!
Posted by: Razor Ramon | April 6, 2010 10:54 AM
Jesus man, please ... enough with your man crush coverage. You're gonna feel pretty silly when Michaels is performing again in a year.
Love the blog, though. Just sick and tired of reading you gush about Hickenbottom.
Posted by: Mario | April 6, 2010 12:07 PM
JR has or should have the respect of all, everything he said was accurate. If anyone ever asks me I'll lie and say it isn't true but my daughter & I used to play one of the innumerable video games for wrestling (she would watch & I would play then) there were 2 wrestlers she wanted to see Daddy play #1 was "The Sexy Boy" (I think she liked the song) the other Boink the Clown (I know old video games) but the joy in her voice as she sung "he's just a sexy boy" while the game loaded was something I will hear as I die. I always liked him as a wrestler until the clic crap with Nash & the boys, & since he came back,well at first the preaching was a little much for my taste, but all funnin' aside the last 3 or so years he won me back, the new "X" was fun, if only "Scarry Sherry" could have been brought back now and again it would have been complete. Face it Sherry & Shawn on the first run were awesome stuff,it would have been nice to see her come back a time or two to erase the China (shudder,shake,gag,puuuke almost) memories that had changed my opinion in the first place.
Posted by: Mick Fowl | April 6, 2010 9:49 PM
No need for all the butthurt, Mario. Some of us enjoy hearing a few extra posts about a retiring legend.
Posted by: Ali | April 6, 2010 10:26 PM
At ten years old Hulk Hogan made me tune in every week to watch wrestling. Shawn Michaels has, did, and will make me tune in for the rest of my life
Posted by: antomurf | April 7, 2010 6:39 AM
Wishing u all d best in life as u go god bless u n ur lovely family one love
Posted by: Okose john | April 8, 2010 9:20 PM
It was probably my computer. Thanks!
Posted by: William R. | April 9, 2010 9:58 AM
shawn is the best in my eyes now that hes gone i dont know what is gonnA HAPPEN IN THE WWE HE WAS STILL YOUNG IN THE RING AN I WATCHED HIM WHEN I WAS 12 YEARS OLD AN IM 26 AN STILL LOVE TO SEE HIM KICK A@@ LONG LIVE HBK.
Posted by: joseph st.martine | April 9, 2010 12:45 PM
Hey Kev,
I am a huge HBK fan and am sad to think ll never ponder the outcome of another one of his matches again?
What a legend hope he enjoys his well earned retirement. The product is not the same without him and for me my main reason for following is gone.
Would it be possible to put together his best matches and why. In similar fashion to how you put together the list of WrestleManias greatest stars.
Love to see your results.
He has had so many great/prefect matches.
WM 10
SSlam 02
WM 12
WM 25
Just to name a few!
Also think he will ever return to wrestling? Would have loved to see one more title run but by his own wishes(im assuming)that was not to be.
Posted by: darren | April 9, 2010 6:53 PM
Shawn is one of the best in ring performers in the industry.I love him a lot and i am really going to miss him.He and HHH are the best example of friendship in the wwe.Thak you shawn for ur memories and we all are gonna miss u a lot.....
Posted by: selvakumar c. k | April 30, 2010 12:00 AM