Thank you, Shawn
It was 21 years ago today that a fresh-faced, 23-year-old kid named Shawn Michaels made his WrestleMania debut by doing the job to the massive Akeem, as the Twin Towers defeated The Rockers in the second match at WrestleMania V.
From that humble beginning to Michaels’ final show-stopping performance against The Undertaker in the main event at WrestleMania XXVI last Sunday, what an amazing career it has been.
As I think about the fact that I will probably never again see Michaels display his spectacular wrestling skills, I’m reminded of an interview I did with him in 2008 prior to his match with Ric Flair at WrestleMania XXIV. When discussing the mixed emotions he was having about wrestling “The Nature Boy” in what most everyone believed was Flair’s last match, Michaels said, “The idea of Ric Flair not being in this industry is something that I don’t even know if I’m prepared for.”
I know how he feels. As an admitted HBK mark, I’m having difficulty coming to grips with the fact that Michaels’ career as an in-ring performer is likely over. But on the other hand, I’m happy that he was able to go out on his own terms. Michaels, who is still as good as anyone in the business, has made it clear that he does not want to be one of the many guys who stayed around too long, nor does he want to retire and then go back on his word.
That’s why I sincerely hope he doesn’t ever give in to the temptation of having one more match. Michaels was a special performer who had a storybook career. It would be fitting if he turns out to be one of the select few who decided to walk away from the ring and not look back.
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I’ve gotten a lot of grief over the years for being a Michaels fan, both from readers of this blog and even from friends and acquaintances. I was often told that I had a “man crush” on him. A lot of the needling was due to Michaels’ “Sexy Boy” entrance music and his on-screen character (especially the ’90s version). Most of it was good-natured, and I usually played along.
All kidding aside, though, I don’t understand how anyone who has an appreciation for the art form that is professional wrestling cannot be an HBK fan. He is the best all-around performer I have seen in 36 years of following the business. Beyond his superb athleticism, what made Michaels such a tremendous worker was his impeccable timing, ring psychology and ability to have great matches with all types of opponents. He also cut fantastic promos and had the “it” factor that allowed him to connect with the audience.
Moreover, he influenced a whole generation of wrestlers with his high-flying style and showed that you don’t have to be a muscled-up hulk to become a star.
I was impressed by Michaels after seeing him just a few times when he was one-half of the Midnight Rockers in the AWA when it was on ESPN in the mid-1980s. Despite being blatant Rock and Roll Express rip-offs and having a name that stole from both the R&R Express and The Midnight Express, Michaels and Marty Jannetty delivered the goods in the ring. They had a lengthy, entertaining program with AWA tag team champions “Playboy” Buddy Rose and “Pretty Boy” Doug Somers, which included a memorable bloodbath on ESPN in 1986.
A couple years later, Michaels and Jannetty – then known simply as The Rockers – made it to the WWF. After they had been there a while, it became apparent that Michaels had more of a star aura than his partner. It was a TV match that Michaels had with Flair in the early ’90s that convinced me beyond a shadow of a doubt that he had a future as a singles star. When Michaels turned heel, super-kicking Jannetty and tossing him through a window on Brutus Beefcake’s Barbershop segment on TV, “The Heartbreak Kid” was on his way.
Michaels officially arrived as an upper-card heel when he defeated Davey Boy Smith for the Intercontinental title in 1992 –back when the championship still was prestigious. At WrestleMania X in 1994, the legend of “Mr. WrestleMania” began, as Michaels and Razor Ramon (Scott Hall) stole the show with a ladder match that was ground-breaking at the time (there had been other ladder matches, but this was the first one on pay-per-view).
It was inevitable that Michaels would one day win the WWF title, and at WrestleMania XII in 1996, he took the championship from Bret Hart – the man whose career will forever be linked with his – in what still is the longest match in WrestleMania history (61 minutes, 52 seconds).
Michaels consistently delivered good to great matches until he career was cut short due to a serious back injury in 1998, including classics against Mankind (Mick Foley), Diesel (Kevin Nash) and, of course, The Undertaker in the first Hell in a Cell match.
In what would be Michaels’ last match for more than four years, he dropped the WWF title to “Stone Cold” Steve Austin at WrestleMania XIV in 1998. The final image of that show was of Michaels flat on his back selling a punch from special referee Mike Tyson, an “Austin 3:16” shirt draped over him as Austin and Tyson celebrated. It was symbolic of what the immediate future held for Michaels and Austin. While Austin took the torch that Michaels passed him and set WWE business on fire, Michaels’ career flamed out as he sat home a broken man both physically and emotionally.
It was sad to see it end that way for such a great performer, but the Monday Night Wars were in full swing and there was plenty for wrestling fans to be excited about. While watching the exploits of Austin, The Rock and the nWo, however, I always hoped that Michaels would wrestle again some day.
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That day came in 2002 at SummerSlam when Michaels wrestled real-life friend and on-screen foe Triple H. Remarkably, Michaels hadn’t missed a beat, and he and Triple H put together a great match. What seemed at first to be a one-shot deal turned into another eight years of show-stealing performances. When looking back at his entire body of work, I think Michaels was even better from 2002 to 2010 than he was before he left in ’98.
Year in and year out, Michaels shined under the bright lights at WrestleMania. Even when he wasn’t in the main event at WWE’s signature event, his matches often were the most compelling and memorable on the card. His matches against The Undertaker at the past two WrestleManias are considered to be among the greatest in the history of the event. Additionally, he carried Hulk Hogan to a very good match at SummerSlam in 2005 and engaged in one of the best feuds of the past decade with Chris Jericho in 2008.
Michaels also proved to be a consummate professional in his second run. As he alluded to in his farewell speech on Raw, Michaels was not an easy person to be around when he was on top in the ’90s. In those days, he had a reputation for being a prima donna, refusing to do jobs and using his power backstage to keep certain wrestlers down.
That guy was nowhere to be found after his comeback, however. The list of wrestlers Michaels put over is a long one that includes Jericho, Kurt Angle, John Cena, Randy Orton, Batista, Edge, Jeff Hardy, Chris Benoit and even Mr. Kennedy. And in an era in which world titles change hands frequently and everyone who is anyone gets multiple reigns, Michaels had just one world title run after his comeback – a four-week stint in 2002.
As much as I am in awe of Michaels’ abilities as a performer, I’m just as impressed with the way he turned his life around and conducts himself out of the ring. It may sound corny to some, but I find his story to be inspirational.
Ever since it became public knowledge that Michaels became a born-again Christian in 2001, his detractors – including people in the industry, wrestling pundits and fans – waited for him to slip up and be exposed as a fraud. They’re still waiting. While some of those who have thrown stones at him have had their glass houses shattered, Michaels has been married to the same woman for more than a decade and has never had his mug shot posted on TMZ.
I’ve been fortunate enough to interview Michaels several times over the years, and I always found him to be humble and accommodating. Two weeks ago, Michaels spent a couple hours one morning doing one phone interview after another to promote WrestleMania XXVI. I arranged with a WWE media relations representative to get the final slot of the day and a few extra minutes since I was writing a lengthy feature story on Michaels for The Baltimore Sun.
Even with the additional time, I still had several more questions to ask when the WWE PR rep said that we needed to wrap up. I figured I’d just have to make due with what I had, but Michaels, who had to be tired of talking and likely answering the same questions over and over, said that he had more time and wanted to continue the interview. He ended up giving me another 10 minutes or so and answering every question. It may not seem like that big a deal, but not every guy at his level would be so gracious.
For that simple gesture, as well as all the great memories you provided and the years you put your body on the line to entertain us, thank you, Shawn.
Comments
i still cant believe hes gone. ive already watched "heartbreak& triumph" and a couple matches off the "from the vault" dvd since his farewell. the greatest in-ring performer of all-time. thank u shawn.
Posted by: nash | April 2, 2010 10:10 PM
Great tribute Kev... I feel the same way you do about HBK. I'm also not afraid to say that I consider myself an HBK mark. Truth be told, I'm still having a hard time with the fact that we probably won't see the Showstopper back in the ring again. Unlike Ric Flair, I don't think he'll go back on his word and unretire. I think that there are two big reasons why HBK will be missed. First, there's a feeling that he probably had another 2-4 good years left in him. It's almost as if he left "too soon." Second, I'm not sure that there are too many upper level stars like Michaels left. There was something about the way Shawn could go from heel to fan favorite and back again without skipping a beat. Sometimes he'd change over so seemlessly in a matter of weeks and it would be amazing how you could hate him one week and cheer him the next. I just don't think that there are too many guys left, if any, that can do that anymore. Anyway, I'm not afraid to say that I'm more than a bit saddened to see HBK "leave the building." I hope he's happy with his decision and I wish him the best of luck in his future. Goodbye Showstopper and thanks for giving your fans memories they can cherish for a lifetime.
Posted by: Dimitri | April 2, 2010 10:32 PM
Being just a casual fan of Michaels through out the years, I can still admit I had to wipe my eyes once or twice during his farwell speech. Nice blog Kev. I will be in denile alil longer as I just cant envision WWE without HBK.
Posted by: E from Essex | April 2, 2010 10:33 PM
Well said, Kev. I've always been a HUGE Flair fan, but even I have to admit that Shawn is so far and away above anyone else that's ever entered the ring, it's almost not even fair. It's insane just how good he was and, like you said, how he never missed a beat and even got better when he came back. What an incredible performer.
His retirement was classy and I too hope it sticks. His retirement was so well done, it has to (and hopefully does) make Flair feel like sh*t for going back on his. And that's coming from Naitch's biggest fan.
Posted by: Jeff | April 2, 2010 10:42 PM
That was a great read Kev. Love your writing style. And I agree. I am only 22 years old and missed much of Michaels' initial run, but I did catch his second stint in its entirety. The best wrestler I've ever seen and I doubt I'll ever see a better one. He's had a few dozen matches that are etched in my brain forever.
If I could tell a quick story: I went to a house show at the tiny Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom in southern New Hampshire - I'm almost positive it was summer 2005. Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels, two of the greatest wrestlers ever and who would go on to have a classic a few years later at WrestleMania, wrestled a midcard match - it wasn't even the main event!
The two wrestled for 15 minutes or so and put on a complete clinic. They were terrific, had the crowd on the edge of their seats, and it wasn't even a televised event! It was the match of the night and was worth the price of admission. You knew you would get your money's worth when watching the Heartbreak Kid. Even when the WWE has been periodically stale in the last few years, you could always count on entertainment from Shawn Michaels. He's a legend and I am so glad he has befriended Bret Hart. It's a story book ending.
Posted by: Ryan | April 2, 2010 11:25 PM
Back during his period when he was healing his back and running the Shawn Michaels Academy here in San Antonio along with putting on local shows, I was fortunate to see guys like Brian Danielson, Kendrick, and Lance Cade as fresh-faced up and comers learning from the master. I struck up a friendship with a local DJ who helped promote the matches and the academy, and when he found out that I wrote a column for a (now very defunct) pro wrestling news site, he invited me to Michaels comeback to the ring (4-4-For History) as he was set to wrestle the top heel in his first match after his back surgery.
The match was classic Michaels, of course - but for me the best part of the evening came afterwards as myself and a few other writers got to sit at a table with the man himself. As the local guy, I got to talk to him last, and I remember watching this icon - now just a man - plugging away telling stories and making all of us feel like old friends, but underneath you could tell how exhausting it was to be "on".
When it came around to my turn, after all the other reporters had had their time and left, he rubbed his eyes to work the fog out, fixed me with a smile and was ready for my questions. And I remember just asking two - how the family was doing, and how he was enjoying being home in San Antonio. It was probably the shortest interview he's ever given, but hey - I got to spend 2 hours with the man listening to him answer the same questions, and figured it being past midnight he had other things that needed his attention. We chatted for a few minutes afterwards, just normal everyday comments about life and such - a nice reminder that these guys who put their bodies on the line every night for our entertainment enjoy being normal just like us.
Posted by: Tim K | April 2, 2010 11:29 PM
Great piece, Kev. Like you, I hope Michaels remains retired as a wrestler. However, I do hope to see him make regular appearances on Raw and PPVs, say once or twice a month. Hosting Raw, being a special referee or "ring enforcer," being in HHH's corner for big matches, nailing the occasional sucker with a superkick. What are your thoughts?
RESPONSE FROM KE: I don' think it will be once or twice a month, but I feel confident he'll show up once in a while.
Posted by: Michael in Virginia | April 2, 2010 11:42 PM
Well, well, well, (not sure who, but I am sure some heal would start his comment to this JUST LIKE THIS) Kevin you know damn well you just set yourself up for the barrage of "your just a Michaels mark" comments with this, but I will be different. I listened to your interview prior to Wrestlmania and surprisingly I was impressed (with Michaels, not you, I am normally impressed by you-go figure) It's not that I wasn't a fan of Mr.Michaels (though you do take things to the extreme here) but in my sarcastic way I would certainly use him in an argument (knowing this was your weak spot) when complaining about your open bias against TNA, while ignoring the WWE's ineptitude, that's what get's me, not just you but many on this site seem to micro manage every tiny move on TNA while they totally ignore the same crap on WWE. But enough of that for now, you are correct, what Mr.Michaels has achieved in his career is something to be remembered,not just thought about but truly remembered. He has given his all to his performances whether they be at a Wrestlemania, a RAW, or even a simple house show, as I have witnessed myself. His career certainly deserves to go down in the books as one of the best ever. Brett and his ever was crap, is frankly just that crap, sure he had his day, but it was a day in comparison to Mr. Michaels many day's. Touching piece, written with honesty and fearlessness on this blog, knowing full well the "Mark" comments to come. I just wish you would do the same in comparing what I have brought up many times, in the "old days" we all marveled and delighted in the many choices to watch wrestling on cable(ESPN,TBS,USA, & many others) but ask yourself did we all become critics then? You know as well as I do we could watch Dallas for weeks without seeing a decent match, same with WWWE,AWA,NWA etc, but every show wasn't the end of the company, in fact we never mentioned the end of the company,but now every week TNA is DEAD, WWE is it, no matter what happens. Even when you backhand a compliment towards TNA it is just that, they were relatively good tonight but Chuuba should be back next week so don't expect much. My point is there was a time when your beloved Mr.Michaels was in the very same boat---how far do you think he would have gotten if the promoters and owners of "Sport's Entertainment" were subjected to this criticism week in and week out back then, How well do you think the "Scary Sherry" days would have gone for him? "Sexy Boy" what would the IWC have to say about those early bumps now as opposed to nothing back then. Just asking you to think about it when you blog, it's not a contest to see who can be the most critical is it? Sometimes your posts (and all the others) remind me of FOX NEWS, who are they kidding, it's not news when all you do is cheerlead for who you root for, that's cheerleading,or propaganda,or just plain promotion, nothing wrong with it, just stop hiding it behind the title of news, I would say that at times you hit about the same barometer of FOX'S "Fair & Balanced" schtick as they do, if that is something you are proud of or wish to achieve that is certainly your right, I just thought you were a little bit different, kind of like Shawn, everyone expected him to be a hypocrite when he returned with his "Born Again" life, but even I, much more than your normal skeptic could see that even though I disagree with his narrow beliefs I believe that it is far from schtick and very real to him. Good enough for me, every man's entitled to his own beliefs and views, Shawn has shown he is no hypocrite, and he truly believes in what he has surrounded himself with, works for him, good enough for me. Stand pat Kev, the bombs are about to fall.
Posted by: mickfowl | April 2, 2010 11:44 PM
I have talked trash about hbk at times, but I am sad to see him go. Congrats on a fantastic career that entertained me from right around the time my conscious memory starts, and great job on the profile, Kevin.
Posted by: Andrew | April 3, 2010 12:47 AM
Very well said Kevin. The one thing I've wished for the last couple of years knowing that his retirement would be coming sooner rather than later, was that he would get one more run with the title. Felt that was the least Vince McMahon owed to him for what he had done for the company.
Posted by: Glassman | April 3, 2010 12:50 AM
It is funny as I opened this (I check your blog daily) Shawn was being introduced for his farewell speech on the Raw replay, so by the time he actually started speaking I was already in tears... Damn you HBK, I am a wrestling I am not supposed to cry this easily. Shawn will be missed in the ring but I hope they keep him on to assist with mentoring the younger stars.
Wonderful blog and you can tell it was heartfelt.
Thank you Shawn you will be missed.
Posted by: Angelique | April 3, 2010 1:14 AM
Amen Kevin.
Posted by: Jay | April 3, 2010 1:29 AM
Great read Kevin. It sounds like you and I are one in the same. I fell in love with professional wrestling mainly because of Shawn Michaels. I saw his early stuff in the AWA and then followed his entire career in the WWE. He was my idol in the 90's. He was the "sexy boy". He was who I was striving to be. I mean, come on, didn't he have the coolest ring attire out there?! He came down to the ring to that music, danced around for the ladies and put on the best matches. I even dressed like him for halloween one year believe it or not. I was one of his biggest fans. I even had the chance to meet him one time he came to a place in Maryland for an autograph signing. I was in awe everytime I watched this man. No other wrestler could mean more to me then this man. As I watched his last match last Sunday, I was hoping it wasn't the end. I was praying that the Taker's streak would end, but as the match was put at the end of the show, I knew it wouldn't have the ending I wanted. I figured with all the recent talk and rumors, Shawn was hanging them up. As I watched Shawn get pinned, I think the air left my body and my heart stopped for a second. The man I have grew up idolizing for 20 plus years was now finished. I didn't really know what to say or do. I held my head down, but when Taker and him embraced and Shawn started tearing up, I had to let go of a few tears myself. I woked up Monday feeling this weird empty feeling as though someone had died or something. It was a very surreal feeling. (I think Triple H even used those words on Monday night). I had trouble at work on Monday, as I Thought about Raw all day and what would happen with Shawn. I found out about the tribute and I was glued to the TV (No TNA / WWE switch back and forth at all). When Triple H came out and spoke, I started to get choked up again, and of course, when Shawn came out, it was tough to keep my emotions in check. I don't ever cry over anything, but his speech was tough to watch without letting the tears flow. The man WAS wrestling to me, and now as far as Im concerned, wrestling is dead. No one will ever appeal to me like Shawn did. No one has "it". Shawn had "it" and is the only one I have ever seen with "it". Flair, Stone Cold, Hogan, bret, The Rock, etc were all close, but they couldn't touch Shawn. I respect your opinion with wanting Shawn to stay retired because that his honoring his word, but I guess I am selfish. I would give anything to have HBK back already and it hasn't even been a week yet. Wrestling will just never be the same. Its sad to say, but its the truth. Shawn Michaels is the greatest wrestler of all time. I appreciate every single chance I had to witness greatness when he was on the TV or in front of me in the arena. Thank you Shawn for everything and if you are definitely not coming back, I hope you, Rebecca and the kids enjoy a long happy life together. You were an inspiration to alot of people, including myself, and for that, I am forever greatful.
Posted by: Tony | April 3, 2010 1:52 AM
He's come a long way over the years. He always was a tremendous talent but was a bit mercurial earlier in his career.
I think his second run with the company, after his serious back injury, was a measure of his completeness and greatness -- as a wrestler and a person.
Like Jim Brown, Barry Sanders and others, it would be great to see him go out on top. We are seeing too many guys hanging on long past their prime.
In his mid 40s he's as good as he ever was in the ring, and now one of the best promo guys in the business.
He could have a major role mentoring guys behind the scenes. Someone like Jack Swagger could benefit from his instruction.
Posted by: Mark | April 3, 2010 2:16 AM
Beautifully said, Kev.
I envy you the years you had to watch Shawn Michaels, as my tenure as a wrestling fan has been much shorter. Despite that, the reason why I was so drawn to the artistry and pageantry of professional wrestling can be summed up in the name of one wrestler - Shawn Michaels. He made it an art form, from his storytelling to his presence to his in-ring technical mastery.
As you know, Kev, I dove head first into the study of the business and the history of wrestling as a whole. And I agree that Shawn Michaels is the pinnacle, the epitome, of the art of professional wrestling.
Let'em call it corny, but I also find his story inspirational.
I could ramble on for much longer, but instead, I'll just echo you.
Thank you, Shawn.
Posted by: Mina | April 3, 2010 4:13 AM
Yes, yes, definitely a man crush...!
Posted by: steve in seoul | April 3, 2010 4:27 AM
enjoyed reading your review. THANK YOU SHAWN!
Posted by: g | April 3, 2010 4:56 AM
Couple of quick ones. Your HBK mark-dom has been well documented, but i'm not sure if you've ever mentioned your favorite match of his. Mine is the first hell in a cell. Even my 7 yr old daughter can appreciate how well he sold moves and told a story in that match. And this question will be going on for a while. Who do you think currently can hold a candle to HBK as far as the WHOLE package. My choice is Orton. If you turn the volume down on your TV when he's wrestling, you still "get" the story in the ring. Its amazing.
Posted by: Rated R JB | April 3, 2010 7:29 AM
Typical Kevin Eck...a HBK and WWE mark.
It's funny how you don't make a tribute post to the Nasty Boys, who may have wrestled for their last time before getting released.
You're quick to write about HBK but when it comes to the greatest tag team in the history of the biz, you couldn't care less...I bet it's because they were on TNA isn't it?
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In seriousness, great read and HBK will be missed.
Posted by: Sam Fletcher | April 3, 2010 7:35 AM
As far as Shawn's one title reign in 2002 goes, Shawn is a rare breed of performer that doesn't need a title match to be a main event level player. I remember Kurt Angle speaking about Matt Morgan a few years back, and he may as well have been talking about HBK. He said Morgan wouldn't need a title to be a huge star attraction, and neither did Shawn. Part of what made him special is he didn't need a "push" to shine, and HBK will be missed.
By the way--what would you think of a final one-off with Taker as part of a Hall of Fame angle? HBK gets inducted, defeats Taker, ends the streak and Taker retires after the match?
RESPONSE FROM KE: I don't like it. I think the way Shawn went out was perfect.
Posted by: clint | April 3, 2010 12:30 PM
I really hope that after a lengthy retirement for Shawn that he can come back as a talent scout or a trainer for developmental. Having a guy like that helping young wrestlers and giving said wrestlers advice would be a win win situation.
Posted by: Kevin | April 3, 2010 1:04 PM
There is so much that could be said but to keep is short and to the point...
It has been a priviledge to watch HBK since his debut and the hole he is leaving will be impossible to fill. Love him or not, the greatest performer to ever step in that ring is done and wrestling will never be the same again.
In this age of "sports entertainment" wrestling officially died on March 28.
Thankyou for everything Shawn
Posted by: Colin | April 3, 2010 1:11 PM
Kev, Love the blog and you do an excellent job giving your thoughts on the world of wrestling. I also love how you show appreciation for past wrestlers that some may have forgotten. Now, you are an admitted Michaels mark, and we know that you don't care much for present day Hogan, but when you say that Michaels carried Hogan in their Summer Slam match, that gave me a good laugh. Michaels did everything he could to make Hogan look like a joke. He over sold every punch, kick, body slam, and totally pulled a Scott Hall on Hogan's finisher. Then did the Shawn Michaels "hypocrite move by shaking Hogan's hand after the match as a sign of "respect". Michaels is a legend, but he is the dirtbag that all of the guys backstage (Except the KLIQ) thinks he is. "If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck....."
RESPONSE FROM KE: I was at that show and I can tell you that the match got a great crowd response. As for Michaels' over-selling, there is a story behind that. Instead of just the one match that occurred, a three-match series was proposed, with Hogan winning the first and third one. Hogan, who had creative control, refused to lose any matches to Michaels, so that's why Michaels did the over-sell. You have to be careful when calling someone a "dirtbag" when that person is in a dispute with Hogan. The thing is, I'm not sure casual fans even understood that it was overselling.
Posted by: Buzzman20 | April 3, 2010 2:30 PM
I am from the Philippines and a life long fan of HBK. I am many of us here still could not believe it that the greatest in ring performer in the history of sport's entertainment has finally retired. As far as we are concerned the man is a marvel and still capable of tearing the house down every night! We hope that somehow the showstopper will still appear at RAW! Thanks Shawn for all the memories! From our hearts, we love you!!! Nice article man, thanks as well.
Posted by: bobby general | April 3, 2010 2:45 PM
Great, great article. I never fully appreciated Shawn's work until his match with Ric Flair at WM24, and he carried Flair to a 4 star match. From that point on, I realized he shared the "greatest ever" title with Flair also.
After waching his goodbye speech on Monday, it was depressing for many reasons. First, to understand that we won't see too many, if any, 4 star matches anymore. Second, seeing Ric Flair work for WCW wannabe TNA tarnishing his retirement, when in reality he should have been at WM and/or at Raw to see Shawn off. That would have been the penutimate moment in wrestling, and I felt cheated.
Instead we see the headline the next day that Flair is arguing with some gay actor TNA has hired at a bar. Bad as I hate to say it, I hope Shawn keeps his word as well. Although at least he didn't say "I will never, ever wrestle in this ring again." Then only to come back next year and job to Hogan four straight times in Australia and slice his head open like a sardine can on TV a few months after that.
The only consolation for me is that both Flair and Michaels wear their WM24 watches to this day, an obvious sign of respect and friendship that still stands.
Also from Flair's biggest mark btw!
Posted by: Joey S. from Louisvile, KY | April 3, 2010 3:13 PM
I don't know if I'm ready for Shawn Michaels to walk away from the business but it makes it easier knowing that he only fell victim of the Undertaker and not the grim reaper of wrestling. So many young stars from wrestling have lost their lives from the same addictions Shawn had to drugs and pain killers. Shawn's ability to overcome his "demons" is a testament to his sincerity about his spiritual change.I don't see this as a sad event, even though I cried more than one tear, because he went out on top and the way he deserved to go out.
His personal story and his career are inspirational. His character was a role model for me as a kid, rebelious teen, and as an adult who made a comeback. However what is a more rare and even greater role model is the man who would give up all the adoration in the world to spend more time with his wife and children.
As much as I will miss his in ring preformances and his character on a weekly basis I will gladly let the man go in peace as respect for the entertainment that he brought me for over 20 years. As my personal favorite wrestler it will be difficult not following HBK to another WrestleMania but I know he will always be apart of the WWE because he is a true legend.
Thank You Shawn Michaels. I hope your retirement from the ring is even more rewarding to you as your showstopping career.
Posted by: mat | April 3, 2010 4:09 PM
Much of the reason Shawn is going to be so sorely missed is because of the dearth of real talent that exists to replace him. As you wrote above, Shawn had the "it" factor, and how true is that of the WWE's top talent nowadays? Randy Orton and Triple H, yes, but John Cena? And that "it" factor is the reason TNA employs many of the old timers, because the younger stars may look better, but they don't have charisma. We need to go back to the days of fewer PPVs so wrestlers can develop their ring personalities and improve build-ups to top matches.
Posted by: Stefan | April 3, 2010 6:08 PM
Gag me with a spoon. Good riddance to the overrated boy. Everytime he was champ business suffered.
Posted by: eric | April 3, 2010 8:55 PM
"When looking back at his entire body of work, I think Michaels was even better from 2002 to 2010 than he was before he left in ’98."
Couldn't agree more.
Posted by: Olds | April 5, 2010 1:59 PM
Great career! I hope that's it, go home and enjoy Ric Flair's on-air death with the rest of us on TV!(To me, it would be shocking if it doesn't happen)
Posted by: Al | April 5, 2010 4:00 PM
HBk is the best wrestler ever! i've watched him ever since i was a wee lad, and he's been a role model to me ever since. when i found out about hbk vs taker part two, i thought for sure shawn would win. i didn't think the businesses top performer would retire so soon. i thought he would stay in the business for a while longer. as i witnessed taker tombstone shawn and end his amazing career, i shed some tears. and the next night, i shed even more tears. i want shawn to keep his word but i would much rather see him return. its so great of him to give everything up so he could spend more time with his family. wwe will never ever be the same without the showstopper. i hope to see hbk in the ring again, but if he doesnt return, i would like to thank him for enertaining me and being tthe biggestt role model in my life. i will miss him forever and always. i would give anything to meet a great man like him. this is coming from your all time biggest hbk fan- i love you shawn. thanks for all the years you put in to the wwe for the fans. i will never forget you michael shawn hickenbottom. i hope you have a wonderful life with your family. and once again, thank you man.
Posted by: Ian- HBK's biggest fan ever! | April 5, 2010 11:09 PM
Your thoughts pretty much sum up the way I feel about it.
Besides one thing: I really had a schoolgirl-crush at HBK back in the 90´s, I admit it. But he was definitely worth it, I think I could have chosen worse, lol.
Posted by: XDreamItchy | April 6, 2010 2:38 AM
I would just like to say that i cherish all the comments about HBK. I would like all of you to think about the first time you saw Shawn Michaels in the ring. 4 me had that effect that he was wrestling. He was everyone you wanted to be. Whether it was in the 90's or in the 00's. Remeber how he made u feel every match. I personally will never watch another wwe match unless he returns. Nothing else could captivate me and take me to the place his storied matches did. Finally I wish to say to all of you that he should come back. He deserves it....even though he had his title run, and he did what wwe story writers told him to i think he got shafted. HBK was the best hand down! So y no title since 2002, y couldnt he beat more ppl at mania. 4 being mr. wrestlemania he has a less then 500 record in mania matches. 4 some1 that gave his back 4 the company and kept them afloat in the 90's he deserved to win against hogan, he deserved to exchange titles with hhh in the 04-06 era, he deserved to beat angle at mania and lose at vengance, he deserved to beat undertaker. I may recieve mixed opinions, but i want all of u to understand that not one wrestler in the wwe could put on the half the match that he could.
Posted by: Dustin Vannoy | April 6, 2010 5:53 AM
Thank you Shawn Michaels for all those wonderful memories. Probably Shawn is the only wrestler whom I wouldn't mind coming back from retirement.
Posted by: Kunal | April 6, 2010 2:33 PM
For the greatest performer of all time, I tried to think of his best matches. Sorry if I forgot some or if you disagrees with my order. Here it is:
1.Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart – 60 Minute Iron Man Match Wrestlemania 12
2.Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker - Wrestlemania 25
3.Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle - Wrestlemania 21
4.Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho - Wrestlemania 19
5.Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker – Career vs. Streak Match Wrestlemania 26
6.Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H - Non-Sanctioned Match Summerslam 2002
7.Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon – Ladder Match Wrestlemania 10
8.Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair - Wrestlemania 24
9.Royal Rumble Match – 1995 HBK Wins at No.1 Entrance
10.Shawn Michaels vs. John Cena - Wrestlemania 23
11.Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H and Chris Benoit - Wrestlemania 20
12.Shawn Michaels vs. Mr. McMahon - Street Fight Wrestlemania 22
13.Shawn Michaels vs. Mankind – Mind Games 1996
14.Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker – First Hell In A Cell Match
15.Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho - Non-Sanctioned Match Unforgiven 2008
16.Royal Rumble Match – 1996 HBK Second Win In A Row
17.Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H - Hell In A Cell Match Bad Blood 2004
18.Shawn Michaels vs. The British Bulldog – European Title One Night Only 1997
19.Shawn Michaels vs. Kane vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Chris Jericho vs. Triple H vs. Booker T - EC Match
20.DX vs. The McMahons and Big Show Hell In A Cell Match - Unforgiven 2006
21.Shawn Michaels vs. Hulk Hogan – Summerslam 2005
22.Shawn Michaels vs. Edge - Street Fight 2/28/05
23.Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H - 3 Stages of Hell Match Armageddon 2002
24.Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker – Casket Match Royal Rumble 1998
25.Shawn Michaels vs. Steve Austin – Wrestlemania 14
26.Shawn Michaels vs. John Cena vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton - Backlash 2007
27.Shawn Michaels vs. Shelton Benjamin - RAW 5/02/05
28.Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart – Montréal Screwjob Survivor Series 1997
29.DX vs. Legacy – Hell In A Cell 2009
30.Shawn Michaels vs. Jeff Hardy - RAW 2/11/08
I do not think of a better bow to HBK that to name his best matches as these shows his immensity. There were so many matches that I wanted to name but I restrained myself to a Top30. To the Showstopper, the Headliner, Mr.Wrestlemania, the Heart Break Kid, the Main Event and my all time favourite!!!
Posted by: KnightKIJ | April 8, 2010 9:40 AM