My take on Shane Helms ripping Shawn Michaels
Like many of you, I read the scathing comments that Shane Helms made about Shawn Michaels on his “Highway 2 Helms” video webcast earlier this week. But unlike a lot of people, I wasn’t shocked by Helms’ remarks.
That’s because it wasn’t the first time I had heard them. When Helms was in Baltimore in October to appear on a Maryland Championship Wrestling (MCW) event, he and I hung out for a few hours after the show (I got lost driving him to the airport in my own hometown, but that’s another story), and when the subject of Michaels came up, he basically said all of the things that he went on to say on his webcast.
For those who are unaware, Helms was asked by co-host Marty Garner who his least favorite wrestler of all time was after he got to know him, and Helms responded that it was Michaels.
“Shawn was one of my idols, and then he really let me down as a person,” Helms said on the webcast. “I think his whole religious gimmick is a [expletive] work. I think he’s the biggest hypocrite in the business.”
Helms recounted an incident he witnessed backstage in WWE in which he claimed that Michaels “was throwin’ f-bombs at Chris Jericho in catering one time, and I was like, ‘Yeah, what would Jesus do? He would cuss this [expletive] out. Yeah, good job, Mr. Religious.’ ”
Helms also said that he was so angry at Michaels at a show one night that he wanted to fight him.
“I was like, ‘If I get fired for beating this [expletive] up, I’ll be OK,’ ” said Helms, who said that he would save the specifics of why he was upset at Michaels for his shoot DVD. “And I was this [expletive] close. I was just going to go beat him [expletive] bloody and just [expletive] roll.”
Helms went on to criticize Michaels, an avid hunter, for “murdering animals,” saying that he “never saw Jesus with a rifle over his shoulder.” He also said that Michaels “has snorted more coke, done more steroids, done more [expletive] than anybody you’ve ever known. And he’s going to come out on your show and drop to his knees and pray?”
Like I said earlier, Helms had said most of that to me in a private conversation a couple months ago, so it’s not like I didn’t know how he felt about Michaels. I am, however, a little surprised that he would say it publicly, but I suppose I have to give him credit for not changing his story to be more politically correct. Then again, I’m sure “Highway 2 Helms” has gotten a lot more views because of all the publicity Helms’ comments about Michaels have received.
As a matter of full disclosure, I have known Helms since 2000 when we both worked for WCW, and I have always gotten along with him. I have read on some websites where people have said that Helms is just another bitter ex-WWE wrestler, but I don’t see him as that kind of guy at all.
As for Michaels, it’s no secret that I consider him to be the greatest performer that I have seen in my 37 years of following pro wrestling. I also have been impressed with how he appears to have overcome his personal demons and matured over the years.
With that being said, I admit that my perception of Michaels is based on being someone who is on the outside looking in. I have interviewed Michaels several times over the years, and he knows who I am, but I can’t say that I have ever had a conversation with him that wasn’t an interview.
So I’ll say the same thing that I said to Helms when he told me how he felt about Michaels: Having worked in the same company with Michaels, Helms obviously knows him much better than I do. That doesn’t mean that I agree with everything that Helms said; it just means that I have not been in a position to observe how Michaels conducts himself backstage.
All I can say is that every time I have dealt with Michaels on a professional level, he has been very gracious and humble. The last time I interviewed him – which was over the phone prior to his retirement match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVI last March – the WWE public relations representative came on the line and said that we needed to wrap it up (which is standard procedure because the talent usually does a string of interviews in succession). Michaels, however, said that since this was his last interview of the day, he wanted to continue until I had asked all my questions. So he ended up giving me another 10-15 minutes, which he certainly didn’t need to do.
The fact is that Michaels will always be a polarizing figure in the industry. I’ve had a few big-name wrestlers over the years tell me exactly how much they disliked him. It’s mostly people who worked with him in the ’90s (Michaels himself has said that he was very difficult to deal with back then). Conversely, I’ve also had people that I respect in the industry who have first-hand knowledge tell me how much Michaels has changed since becoming a born-again Christian.
Helms’ main beef with Michaels is that he doesn’t practice what he preaches. Personally, I think that Michaels – because of his bad boy antics in the ’90s and the fact that he wears his religion on his sleeve – does get held to a higher standard than other Christians in the wrestling business.
The one thing I do know is that even the most sincere Christians are flawed. They can even lose their tempers and curse in the heat of the moment just like everyone else. Does that mean that they are hypocrites? Or does it just mean that they are human?
Michaels, by the way, when asked on Twitter for his thoughts on Helms’ comments, wrote:
“I have zero desire 2 do the internet stuff other than corresponding w/u. U can make ur own decisions & I will respect them. May I now return to having fun w/ u all please. Life is 2 short 4 me 2 go thru High school again.”
To watch the “Highway 2 Helms” show in question, click here. The part about Michaels begins at 1:31:28. Be forewarned that there is a lot of profanity.
Comments
kevin, i appreciate your balanced view on this story. it would be very tempting to editorialize and take sides, but you've played the part of an impartial "referee" very nicely. well done, sir.
Posted by: Joshtinpowers | December 7, 2010 10:53 PM
Great article. Very objective & I guess we'll have to wait until Helms releases his DVD to hear the real story of the aformentioned fight.
Posted by: Sarshar | December 8, 2010 12:04 AM
When Bret Hart cursed one of your fellow journalist, he was a hypocrite.
When Shawn curses somebody, he is a human being.
LOL!!!
Posted by: Kunal | December 8, 2010 12:39 AM
I was interested to see your take on this, Eck, given you're a fan of both men.
I dislike both guys, both on personal experience and what i've seen and heard about them, so i've got no side to take but it is very interesting to finally see someone come out and highlight Shawn Michaels' obvious hyprocrisy.
I don't judge him or his faith but he certainly has a history (and perhaps a present, who knows?) that doesn't sit well with his religious beliefs.
Posted by: John | December 8, 2010 12:57 AM
Helms is just a bitter, angry mean guy. When I called him out a little while ago about a homophobic comment on Twitter he DM'd me a message that was full of cuss words and was essentially saying he thought I should go kill myself. All based on me saying 'what you just said was homophobic'. The guy is a loose cannon.
But worse than that - he's just a really, really bad wrestler. He's trading of HBK to get fame himself. Because he's way passed his use-by date.
Posted by: Della | December 8, 2010 1:54 AM
Oh man, and I hoped you would not bring this up on your blog. Sorry but you give Helms only what he wants: publicity and hits for his show. The 10 min. I watched (yes I watched) are disgusting and embarrassing. Helms is clearly drunk and that every 3rd word is the f-word doesn´t make it any more compelling. Sure he has a right of his opinion but do we really have to discuss this?
Posted by: XDreamItchy | December 8, 2010 2:38 AM
does helms always talk a 'mike the situation' wannabe? i watched the highway 2 helms show and its damn annoying how he talks.
RESPONSE FROM KE: That's the way he always talks.
Posted by: ultimate_krang | December 8, 2010 5:25 AM
Just another bitter ex-WWE wrestler, and of course he won't reveal why he was upset with HBK until his DVD comes out; he has to make money somehow. Plus, his running buddies are the Hardys and we KNOW how they feel ( numb half the time ) about WWE. Helms was just a gimmick wrestler who couldn't make it as himself..........
Posted by: Horseman420 | December 8, 2010 8:14 AM
Being a Christian doesn't mean that you live your life without sin...in truth it means the opposite. It means that we are all human as you said, and that we are prone to making mistakes. When we make mistatkes, which we all do Christian or not, we need only to feel remorse and ask for forgiveness. Christianity and faith is a very complex thing and is much more involved than Shane Helms may even know. It is the constant struggle of channeling your emotions into only your faith with the understanding that all of the details of daily life need not elicit emotion because they are all part of a greater plan. That can sometimes be impossible to do and that is when a practicing Christian will stray from his faith, his values and the way that he or she truly wants to carry himself. If Shane helms is not a Christian that is fine, but that means that it is impossible for him to understand the Christian lifestyle/point of view. If he is a Christian that believes in God, then he should know that standing in judgment of another man is also a sin and makes him no different than the Sean Michaels that he is ranting about. Thsoe of us that are Christian do understand that we will have to answer for the things that we have done in our lives. Then and only then will we truly be judged.
Posted by: Tyler from Charlotte | December 8, 2010 8:54 AM
Excellent article.
Posted by: Biesel | December 8, 2010 11:05 AM
I wonder how the IWC made it so long without ever asking Gregory Helms who his least favorite wrestler was?
Nevermind, I think I know the answer to that one.
Posted by: Mr. Sarcasm | December 8, 2010 11:11 AM
Kunal, there's a difference between Bret cursing a journalist publically and HBK cursing at Y2J backstage at an event.
Posted by: Eric | December 8, 2010 11:50 AM
Seems like Helms needs some cash. This is what desperate losers do to drum up some business. Sadly, people will buy his DVD just because he was a wrestler.
Helms rips HBK for cussing and his own comments are full of colorful language yet Shawn is the hypocrite. I think Helms sees himself as more relevant than what he really is in the business. Just because he overheard Shawn cussing Jericho does not mean he was in on the conversation. Perhaps Jericho deserved it, Helms doesn't know. Even if this was how Shawn handled himself on a regular basis what is the point of Helms letting people know? He can't make a good living in the wrestling world so now he has to point out the flaws in others who did.
The question to me is the timing of the comments. Why not state this at HBK's retirement rather than months later. If it was that important for people to know the "real Shawn" why not speak up when Shawn was main-eventing WrestleMania? It is all to get internet attention for his DVD. I don't see any non-bitter, successful wrestlers writing "tell-all"books or selling "shoot" DVDs.
Maybe if Helms would stop blaming other people for his lack of success he could concentrate on being a good Wal-mart greeter. Although I'm sure he would just make a DVD telling all about how the mean cashier on lane 12 stole the job he wanted.
Posted by: mat | December 8, 2010 11:53 AM
Helms was always one of my least favorite wrestlers/gimmicks. HBK is the greatest wrestler to ever live, but most christians are hypocrites. Especially "born again" christians. I have no reason to believe that every word of what Helms said isn't true. I recently watched the 3 disc HBK dvd, and he came off as someone desperate to be seen as a good guy. It came off as fake and contrived to me.
Posted by: Jay | December 8, 2010 12:38 PM
Shawn Michaels' classy response speaks volumes. I really don't see how him maybe losing his temper and cussing makes him not a christian, not that I really care either way.
Chris Jericho is a big boy and I'm sure he and Michaels can settle their disagreements without Shane tattle-taling. "I saw Uncle Shawn use bad words at Uncle Chris by the catering table!"
Posted by: Jules B. | December 8, 2010 2:28 PM
As a Christian I fall short each and everyday. You not only are held to a hire standard by others but also yourself. Helms really doesn't get "it". WWJD is exactly that. WWJD not what I would do. for he is God and I'am man. Big difference.
Posted by: Patrick Johnson | December 8, 2010 2:46 PM
Thanks for the way you handled this issue. I am a huge HBK fan and a Christian - your response was very gracious.
Posted by: Paul Cooper | December 8, 2010 2:59 PM
Kev all Helms is doing is trying to get attention on the internet much like his buddy Matt hardy. He wants to bad mouth Michaels for hunting because hes a christian? Helms has made more of an ass out of himself this time more than wearing a cape and pertending to be a superhero.
Posted by: sean lang | December 8, 2010 3:40 PM
yeah, I laughed too when I heard him say that..
he is just stupid
shawn michaels Is a great man -
Posted by: reem | December 8, 2010 6:01 PM
hbk shawn michaels he's a devout Christian
Posted by: john | December 8, 2010 6:08 PM
He is a liar and nasty .. shawn michaels Is an honorable man and
Posted by: Antony | December 8, 2010 6:16 PM
I'm not religious but I believe one of the big points of it is someone seeks out forgiveness for their "past sins" by dedicating themselves to their faith, which by all accounts Shawn has done since his return. For Helms to use the line about all the stuff Shawn did as some sort of indication that his faith is a fraud is ludicrous. Now if he told us he saw Shawn doing blow before Wrestlemania last year yeah thats something. That would be like calling my sober uncle a drunk because he got sloshed at my 5th birthday party.
Also since the guy walked away from what was likely lucrative money from Vince to devote himself more to his church group and kids, Helms just comes across way over the line and ridiculous.
Posted by: MechanicalBull | December 8, 2010 6:58 PM
Speaking of Christian....when is Captain Charisma coming back???
Posted by: eee | December 8, 2010 7:59 PM
I lump Helms into the same exact category as: Paul Roma, Eric Watts and a select few other wrestlers whom tried but ultimately failed in the wrestling industry, despite getting more than one chance or payday.....now these folks are bitter and seemingly hate on others who were more talented and actually had (or have) a career as talent in professional wrestling.
Helms, Roma, Watts....none of them could wrestle their way out of a paper bag and had the personality of a soap dish-now feel they are qualified to dish dirt on others because they have access to a video cam.
HBK wasn't my favorite wrestler.....perhaps he is sincere now-maybe not, I am not going to judge him-but when the bell rang-he could really go and no one disputes that.
-Wagdaddy
Posted by: Wagdaddy | December 8, 2010 8:34 PM
"He can't make a good living in the wrestling world so now he has to point out the flaws in others who did."
This a million mat, and it's sad given that he still has some talent, in fact, all of the current famous NC boys (not the Horsemen people lol). To John, what kind of a simple statement was that? That just because he was wild and crazy back then, then that's automatic grounds for him not being able to turn his life around? I've seen that same kind of statement on other sites, and I'm thinking what in the world are ya'll talking about? lol Maybe you all just want him to be an a**hole only on camera and I know some who get "repulsed" by him just by only wearing his religion on his sleeve. It's almost like you didn't want him to change but only on YOUR accord. Then again, I guess it's because HBK, no matter what he does, gets the whole lot of you all just plain riled up and so twisted.
Posted by: no gimmick | December 8, 2010 9:06 PM
Jesus lost His temper once, too, and He's Jesus for crying out loud! Check Matthew 21:12-13.
Posted by: Clint | December 9, 2010 6:28 PM
you'd be angry too if you use to go out with Vanilla Sky and now see her shaking it every week for the big Eck-ster
Posted by: jam | December 10, 2010 1:45 PM
Well since Helms is so perfect I guess we can all sit around him and worship him on Sundays. What a joke.
Posted by: Ridiulousness | December 10, 2010 1:51 PM
I find it remarkably interesting that Helms would harshly condemn Shawn for using curse words when Helms' ENTIRE video was filled with expletives. I find it remarkably interesting that Helms would condemn Shawn for using drugs TEN YEARS AGO, when his own close friend, Jeff Hardy is presently struggling with drug issues, so much so that he may face 20 years in prison because of it (not to mention the fact that Helms was drinking shots in his video. I find it remarkably interesting that Helms would condemn Shawn for having an argument with Chris Jericho (and admitting that he felt Chris was out of line) when Helms PUNCHED Jericho in the face. I found it unconscionably interesting that Helms would ask if Jesus would do what Shawn did, without asking if Jesus would judge someone the way Helms did Shawn. I found it unconscionably interesting that Helms would use Jesus' name in the same sentence as the "F" word, all while condemning Shawn. I found it unconscionably interesting that Helms would say that it's okay for him to fish (which is KILLING innocent creatures), but it's not okay for Shawn to hunt. I found it unconscionably interesting that Helms, who has claimed to have read the entire Bible, would so conveniently skip Matthew 7, where Jesus warns of judging others. When you point one finger at others, Mr. Helms, three more are pointing back at you. This staggering hypocrisy on the behalf of Helms is comical; it's something that belongs on comedy central. Good job that Shawn, a human who is VERY flawed and just so happens to know it - that's why he has a Savior in the name of Jesus Christ, and should be judged ONLY by the God Who created him - for taking the high road.
Posted by: sweetie21783 | December 10, 2010 4:19 PM
The fact is that Shawn Michaels is one of the greatest performers of all time and Gregory Helms is a bitter, jealous, pathetic jobber who was fired from the WWE. I am not saying that Shawn has never done anything wrong in his life because he will be the first one to admit that he has, but Helms has no right to placement judgment on anyone considering he has got himself in trouble engaging in a few of his extracurricular activities.
Posted by: Tim F | December 10, 2010 7:19 PM