Wrestler of the Week: Shawn Michaels
Our resident philosopher, Jay Shannon, takes a look at the man who ended Ric Flair’s career (maybe) on Sunday at Wrestlemania. This week’s Pro Wrestling Daily: Wrestler of the Week is Shawn Michaels.
It was the end of an era on Sunday. Ric Flair faced off against Shawn Michaels in a Career Threatening Match. It turned into a Career Ending Match, as Michaels used Sweet Chin Music to send Flair into retirement. Shawn is this week’s Pro Wrestling Daily: Wrestler of the Week.
The early years
Michael Shawn Hickenbottom was a military brat that moved around in his early years. His family finally settled in San Antonio, Texas. Shawn was into sports from very early on. By age 12, Shawn decided that he wanted to be a wrestler.
While attending college in San Marcos, Texas, Shawn was introduced to Mexican wrestling legend, Jose Lothario. It was Lothario that suggested that Shawn switch his first and middle names to create his ring name. Lothario trained Shawn and got him his first job working for Bill Watts’ Mid-South promotion.
Shawn worked for several promotion around the Texas area, including World Class. He would eventually move to the Central States promotion, where he would first meet his Rockers partner, Marty Jannetty. They took the Central States tag team title and then got a call from Verne Gagne.
Rockin’ After Midnight
Verne Gagne was looking for an equivalent to the Rock and Roll Express. He found them, at least in his mind, with Michaels and Jannetty. The duo was named the Midnight Rockers (A combination name of the Midnight Express and the Rock and Roll Express). The name also played into their Party Animal personas.
The team won the AWA tag team championships on two occasions. They were head-hunted by the WWE, as part of the massive talent acquisition of the mid-80s. The duo was fired, less than a month later, due to excessive partying (according to Shawn Michael’s biography). The duo returned to the AWA.
Second chances
Shawn and Marty were eventually brought back to the WWF. They were warned, severely, that there would be no third chance. The two men buckled down and worked hard for the company. They eventually won the WWF Tag Titles, though the win was nullified by the Powers-That-Be. Jim Neidhart was planning to leave the WWF, so the titles switched to The Rockers. When Jim decided to stay with the company, the title change was reversed. The storyline was that there had been a rope break which gave The Rockers an unfair advantage. That was a totally bogus story.
Breaking up is hard to do
After a successful run as a team, it was decided to give Michaels a singles push. On an episode of the Barber Shop, Michaels attacked Jannetty. He Superkicked him and then threw him through the glass window of the set. The two feuded briefly. It was during this time that Curt “Mr. Perfect” Hennig christened Shawn The Heartbreak Kid.
Shawn then aligned himself with Sherri Martel. Sherri was the voice on Shawn’s original version of Sexy Boy theme music. She led him to his first singles title, the Intercontinental title. Eventually, Sherri and Shawn were disbanded as a unit. Shawn worked with Luna (Vachon) briefly, as well.
Shawn had a very successful run as the I-C champ. He feuded with numerous stars. His battles with Razor Ramon were among the best in the industry, at the time. Their Ladder Matches are highlighted on the recent Ladder Matches DVD release.
Top o’ the World
The WWF were very impressed with Michaels’ work ethic and his way of angering- a crowd. He was elevated to the next level as he challenged for the World title. He was also partnered with Diesel (Kevin Nash). Diesel was originally brought in as a bodyguard for Michaels. The two would work as a tag team before eventually splitting and feuding.
After his program with Diesel, Michaels moved on to battle Bret Hart. Hart wanted to leave the WWF. The original plan was to have Hart give up the belt and walk away. Vince McMahon took Shawn aside and informed him that Bret would have to lose the title. That led to the infamous Montreal Screwjob. Shawn locked in the Sharpshooter on Bret and Vince called for the bell. The official result was the Bret lost by submission. The truth is that Shawn hadn’t even fully locked in the move before Vince called for the bell. Bret Hart still harbors severe hatred towards Shawn, to this day, for that whole situation.
Renegade
Shawn Michaels joined forces with Triple H and Chyna to form the original D-Generation X. They feuded with numerous teams and individuals. It was the late Owen Hart that gave the group their signature name. He referred to them as a bunch of Degenerates. The full name of D-Generation X was a take-off on Generation X, which was the name given to those born around the same time as the various members of the group.
Shawn’s back was injured by the Undertaker. Shawn had to retire, for close to four years, due to the severity of the back injury. This gave him plenty of time to clean up his life and refocus his energies in a more positive direction.
Back in the Saddle, Again
In 2002, Shawn returned to the ring. He battled as a singles act and as part of a re-united D-X. Shawn would also have a reunion of The Rockers with Marty Jannetty. That reunion was short-lived, as Marty’s legal issues kept him from touring the country.
Shawn would feud with every top star over the next 6 years. His battles against John Cena and Hulk Hogan were Match of the Year contenders. Rumor has it that Ric Flair personally chose Shawn as the man to retire him. At Wrestlemania XXIV, Shawn sent Flair into retirement with Sweet Chin Music.
In Conclusion:
Shawn Michaels has been one of the most entertaining characters in wrestling. He has faced his demons and over-come them all. Shawn will go down in history as The Man who retired Ric Flair. Shawn is assured a place in the WWE Hall of Fame. Shawn Michaels has thrilled audiences for over 20 years. His performance at Sunday’s Wrestlemania XXIV earned him an even higher place in the history of wrestling. It also gained him this week’s award as Pro Wrestling Daily: Wrestler of the Week.
–Jay Shannon
JayofPWD@SBCGlobal.net
(4/1/08)
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