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Michael Shawn Hickenbottom, (born July 22, 1965 in Chandler, Arizona), is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels.

Michaels is one of the longest-tenured employees of World Wrestling Entertainment, having worked for the company in varying capacities for 19 years. His in-ring career was seemingly ended by a severe back injury in early 1998, but he returned to the ring on a part-time basis in 2002, eventually resuming a full-time role. Michaels currently wrestles on the RAW brand of WWE, where he is a member of the resurrected D-Generation X tag team.

Michaels is a four time world champion, having held the WWF Championship on three occasions and the World Heavyweight Championship once.

Career

Although born in Chandler, Arizona, Hickenbottom grew up in San Antonio, Texas, being a military brat. In San Antonio, he attended Randolph High School on Randolph Air Force Base. Trained by Mexican professional wrestler Jose Lothario, he debuted in 1984 in Mid-South Wrestling against Art Crews, and later the Texas Allstar Wrestling promotion, where he and Paul Diamond were awarded the TAW Tag Team Championship by Chavo Guerrero, Sr. He also wrestled for Central States Championship Wrestling, a regional independent promotion associated with the National Wrestling Alliance. There, he and tag team partner Marty Jannetty defeated The Batten Twins for the Central States Tag Team Championship, later losing it back to the Battens. Michaels also made several appearances in the Dallas, Texas-based World Class Championship Wrestling throughout 1985. He won the IC title there at a non televised show, but did not count due to injury.

Michaels made his national-level debut in 1986 in the American Wrestling Association (AWA), once again teaming with Jannetty. The pair were billed as "The Midnight Rockers", so named to emulate the NWA's highly popular Rock 'N Roll Express and Midnight Express tag teams). They won the AWA World Tag Team Championship twice, feuding with "Playboy" Buddy Rose and Doug Somers. Verne Gagne briefly loaned the duo to Jerry "The King" Lawler's independent Memphis promotion, Southern Championship Wrestling (later re-named the CWA, and, later, the USWA), as heels, where they faced the Rock 'N Roll Express.

In a raid of AWA talent, The Rockers were signed by a competing promotion: the World Wrestling Federation. However, they were fired two weeks later for "partying too hard" (a misunderstanding, according to Michaels' autobiography). They returned to the AWA, but were re-signed by the WWF a year later. Because of WWF chairman Vince McMahon's desire to have his performers carry WWF-exclusive monikers (to enable the WWF to trademark these ring names and thus avoid having to share merchandising revenues with * performers or their past promoters), they were repackaged as just "The Rockers."

Due to the firing of Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, the Rockers were scheduled to win the WWF World Tag Team Titles from The Hart Foundation. This was to occur on an episode of NBC's Saturday Night's Main Event. (Neidhart was contractually obligated to work the match for continuity purposes in the WWF/E storylines.) The match was taped, but soon after, Neidhart came to an agreement with management and was rehired. It was decided that the titles would be put back on the Hart Foundation and the Rockers' win and subsequent defenses of the title would be retconned, explained away by the top turnbuckle breaking during the SNME match. To this day, the title win is not included on the title histories on WWE.com.

Due to personal issues, Michaels and Jannetty were split up, occuring on an episode of WWF Wrestling Challenge, shown on January 12, 1992 (but taped on December 2, 1991) during an incident on Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake's "Barber Shop" segment. Michaels superkicked Jannetty and threw him through a plate-glass window on the set.

Michaels turned heel and was given the nickname "The Boy Toy". His nickname was later changed to "The Heartbreak Kid", suggested by Curt Hennig, as he hated the old nickname. In his new gimmick as a vain, cocky heel, and was put together with manager "Sensational" Sherri, who, according to the storyline, had become infatuated with him. Sherri even sang the first version of his theme music "Sexy Boy."

Sherri was the catalyst for a rare "heel vs. heel" feud between Michaels and Rick "The Model" Martel, which led to a match between the two at the 1992 SummerSlam pay-per-view.

Michaels failed to win the WWF Intercontinental Championship from Bret Hart in 1992, even losing the WWF's first ever Ladder Match. Still, Michaels was beginning to get over as a heel and won the WWF Intercontinental Championship from "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith during Saturday Night's Main Event on October 27, 1992. Shortly thereafter, he faced Bret Hart for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of the 1992 Survivor Series.

He also started a feud with his former tag team partner, Jannetty, who reappeared in the WWF in late 1992, leading to several memorable matches. Michaels lost his Intercontinental Championship to Jannetty on an episode of Monday Night RAW on May 17, 1993, but regained it on June 6, with the help of his new bodyguard, and off-air friend Diesel.

In September 1993, Michaels briefly left the Federation. On WWF TV, it was explained that WWF President Jack Tunney had suspended him and stripped him of the title; in reality, he had been suspended for testing positive for steroids, a charge that Michaels denies to this day. While off television, he made appearances in the United States Wrestling Association during a WWF/USWA cross-promotion. He returned to the WWF for the 1993 Survivor Series, substituting for Jerry "The King" Lawler in a match pitting himself and three of Lawler's "Knights" against Bret, Bruce, Keith, and "The Rocket" Owen Hart.

He soon entered a feud with Razor Ramon, who had won the Intercontinental Title during Michaels' absence. Since Michaels had never been defeated for the title, he claimed to be the rightful champion and carried around his old title belt. This feud culminated in a ladder match between the two at WrestleMania X. Michaels lost the match, which featured both his and Ramon's belts suspended above a ladder in the ring. This match won "Match of the Year" awards from Pro Wrestling Illustrated and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and got the rare five star match rating. It also earned Michaels a reputation of being the "Innovator of the Ladder Match" and is regarded as one of World Wrestling Entertainment's greatest matches of all-time.

On an episode of Monday Night RAW after WrestleMania X taped on March 21, 1994, Michaels debuted a segment called "The Heartbreak Hotel," which was mainly shown on WWF Superstars throughout the year. The segment, which featured Michaels obnoxiously interviewing other wrestlers and managers, allowed him to showcase his microphone skills and appear on television, even when he was injured and unable to wrestle. "The Heartbreak Hotel" set was comprised of a heart-shaped bed and a flashing neon sign.

He was still accompanied by Diesel, who, though he remained a heel, had become popular among fans in his own right. On August 28, 1994, Michaels and Diesel captured the WWF World Tag Team Championship from The Headshrinkers. During their brief tenure as a tag team, they used a variation of the Headshrinkers' finishing move, where Michaels would finish off their opponent by climbing on Diesel's shoulders and splashing on of their opponents. The next day, Diesel lost the Intercontinental Title to Ramon (who had lost the title to Diesel earlier in the year) at SummerSlam when Michaels accidentally Superkicked his bodyguard. In October 1994, Michaels suffered a hand injury, when Diesel accidentally stepped on his hand after getting out of the ring. This would put him on the shelf as an active wrestler until January.

Michaels and Diesel broke up their team on November 23, 1994 at the Survivor Series during their five-on-five elimination match. Diesel had done most of the work in eliminating four members of the opposing team when Michaels insisted upon entering the match to superkick Razor Ramon. Michaels accidentally kicked Diesel for the third time in three months, leading Diesel to begin attacking his whole team. Their tag team was dissolved, and they forfeited the titles, as they no longer wished to associate with one another, along with the fact that Diesel had defeated newly crowned WWF Champion Bob Backlund in a squash match at a house show days later.

At the Royal Rumble in January 1995, Michaels entered first, and The British Bulldog entered second. The two would outlast the other twenty-eight opponents and remain as the final two competitors in the match. Bulldog had apparently won the match when he knocked Michaels over the top rope and began to celebrate his victory. However, Michaels held onto the top rope with only one foot touching the floor (the first time the rule that "both feet must touch the floor" came into play). Michaels re-entered the ring and knocked Bulldog off the turnbuckle and over the top rope to win the Rumble. Michaels thus became the first man ever to win the Royal Rumble after entering first. This would lead to a grudge match at Wrestlemania XI vs. former friend and WWF Champion Diesel. Diesel beat Michaels, and the following night on Monday Night Raw, Michaels' new bodyguard Sycho Sid attacked Michaels, executing two Powerbombs. Diesel made the save, beginning Michaels' face turn.

The Boyhood Dream comes true

A freshly turned face, Michaels returned to the ring in June and wrestled Kama Mustafa to a time limit draw at the King of the Ring pay-per-view. He then entered the Intercontinental Title picture by defeating "Double J" Jeff Jarrett in July 1995. This would lead to a title defense against Razor Ramon at SummerSlam 1995, in a Ladder Match (a rematch of their epic at WrestleMania X), which Michaels won. Around this time, Michaels became the leader of a backstage group known as The Clique/Kliq, which others perceived had sufficient clout with WWF owner Vince McMahon, to become the dominant wrestling figures in the promotion for several years in the mid-1990s. Michaels disputes the perception, saying that McMahon pushed only deserving wrestlers. Shawn's fanbase was later nicknamed "The Kliq" as an inside reference to the real "Clique." In October 1995, he was attacked by several men outside a Syracuse, New York, bar and would be unable to defend the Intercontinental Title against Dean Douglas at the In Your House PPV. Michaels thus forfeited the title to Douglas that night, who then himself lost the title to Clique member Scott Hall. Shane Douglas maintained that Michaels simply didn't want to put him over. Then, in the next month, Michaels had a match with Owen Hart on Monday Night Raw. During the match, Owen nailed Michaels with an Enzuigiri kick to the back of Michaels' head. They continued to wrestle, but Michaels then collapsed in the ring, supposedly because he had suffered a concussion in the Syracuse incident. (The concussion was a work, unbeknownst to fans at the time.) After teasing a retirement, Michaels announced that he would be returning to the WWF at the Royal Rumble match, which he won for the second year in a row. Michaels gained revenge on Owen Hart at the February In Your House, defeating him despite having put his title shot on the line in the match. During this time, Jose Lothario, Michaels' original trainer, became his manager.

Michaels won his first WWF Championship at WrestleMania XII, defeating Bret Hart in the first ever sixty minute Iron Man Match. His first feud after winning the title was against Diesel, at the In Your House titled "Good Friends, Better Enemies." Michaels gained revenge on his "former friend," winning the match with his Sweet Chin Music in what would be Diesel's last televised match with the WWF before heading to WCW. Michaels then had a feud with Bret Hart's brother-in-law, The British Bulldog, after Bulldog accused him of trying to have an affair with his wife. Afterwards, he faced off against Vader, who had recently jumped from WCW to the WWF in the summer of 1996. Michaels' title reign ended at the 1996 Survivor Series in November, where he lost to Sycho Sid, his former bodyguard, at Madison Square Garden in a face vs. face match. This match was notable, as the New York fans audibly cheered for Sid when he hit both Michaels and Lothario with a television camera and cheered again when he won the match and championship. The next night, Michaels appeared with Lothario from his home in San Antonio and said that because of Sid's attack on his mentor, he had lost his smile.

Michaels then appeared semi-nude for an interview in Playgirl magazine's October 1996 issue.

Despite that Survivor Series loss, his incredible popularity earned Michaels the 1996 Pro Wrestling Illustrated Most Popular Wrestler of the year.

Michaels recaptured the WWF Title from Sid at the 1997 Royal Rumble in front of his hometown fans in San Antonio. This was Lothario's last match as Michaels' manager.

Michaels gave up the title on a special episode of RAW dubbed Thursday RAW Thursday *. Despite popular belief, Michaels did not say that he was doing it because he had lost his smile. He did say this, but he was referring to the earlier intervew that he had given after losing the title to Sid. Michaels was rumored to be unwilling to lose to Bret Hart at WrestleMania 13 in a rematch of the previous year's match. In fact, he had been told by doctors that a knee injury was bad enough to have to retire. After desperate knee surgery by Dr. James Andrews, he miraculously returned a few months later, briefly teaming with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin to win the WWF Tag Team titles. At SummerSlam 1997, Michaels officiated the WWF title match between WWF Champion The Undertaker and Bret Hart. The match ended in controversial fashion, with Michaels nailing Undertaker with a chair (unintentionally, as he was aiming for Hart after Bret spit in his face). Michaels was then forced to award the title to his nemesis, Hart.

D-Generation X

This would begin a feud between Michaels and Undertaker that would last until the end of 1997. Later on that summer, HBK the leader formed an alliance with real-life friend, Hunter Hearst Helmsley, and his then-girlfriend, Chyna, and "Ravishing" Rick Rude to form D-Generation X. DX became one of the most popular stables of all time. Along the way, Michaels would defeat The British Bulldog for the European Championship in Machester, England after Bulldog passed out in the Figure Four Leglock. After the match, the fans almost rioted. Shawn would volunteeringly lose the European Championship to Triple H in December. The group would engage in rebellious behavior, such as pointing to their crotches and telling fans to "Suck It." Moving away from the family-oriented product, this marked the beginning of the WWF Attitude Era. Michaels also began re-feuding with Bret Harts's reformed The Hart Foundation ,which was now a pro-Canada stable. Michaels would taunt The Hart Foundation and Canada by engaging in acts, such as blowning his nose with and humping the Canadian Flag. In his book, Heartbreak & Triumph, Michaels claims the flag desecration was Bret Hart's idea.

In September, at One Night Only, a British-only PPV event, Michaels defeated the British Bulldog to win the European Title, becoming the WWF's first ever Grand Slam Champion. He would also go on to be the only wrestler to hold both the WWF Championship and the European Championship at the same time. In October, at In Your House: Badd Blood, Michaels and Undertaker participated in the very first Hell in a Cell match, which saw Michaels falling off the side of the 15-foot high structure through a table. Michaels won the match with the help of the debut of the Undertaker's brother, Kane, leading to a title shot at Survivor Series against Bret Hart.

Montreal Screwjob

In November of 1997, Michaels faced Bret "The Hitman" Hart for the WWF Championship at Survivor Series in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Hart, who had planned to jump to World Championship Wrestling after Federation owner Vince McMahon rescinded on Hart’s 20-year contract with the company, was reigning champion and did not want to lose his title to Michaels in Canada. In the lead-up to Survivor Series, numerous finishes were circulated so Hart could leave Montreal as champion. At bell time, Hart believed that the match would end in a no contest or double disqualification finish, setting up a rematch on RAW the next night in the United States, where Hart would lose the title. Fearing Hart showing up on WCW television with the WWF Title or WCW announcing the acquisition of Hart during his title reign, McMahon planned a double-cross (nicknamed "The Montreal Screwjob") of Hart, where Hart would “lose” by submission and Michaels would be announced new WWF Champion. McMahon, Michaels, and then-WWF Senior Official Earl Hebner (assigned to the match) all colluded on the effort.

Immediately after the match, Michaels told Hart that he knew nothing about the true plans of the outcome and that he would drop or vacate the title the following night on Monday Night RAW. Instead, he retained the belt and mocked Hart's defeat. Later, Michaels claimed that he not only knew about McMahon's plan beforehand but had been one of those suggesting the screwjob. He also claimed to have apologized to Hart, but Hart claims that this is inaccurate.

Following the Montreal incident, Michaels capitalised on the masses of extra heat that he now recieved from fans world-wide. On December 29th, 1997, he was defeated by Owen Hart via DQ in what would be Michaels last match on RAW until November 25th, 2002.

Back injury and semi-retirement

In 1998, a back injury that Michaels received in the Casket Match against the Undertaker at the 1998 Royal Rumble (where Michaels took a back body drop to the outside, smashing his lower back on the casket causing him to herniate two discs and crushing one completely) forced Michaels into retirement after losing the WWF Championship to "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at WrestleMania XIV. Prior to losing the belt, Michaels would, along with DX allies, make regular appearences much like Steve Austin did the previous year after injuring his neck at SummerSlam. Michaels would return to the WWF on November 23rd, 1998, but not as a wrestler; instead, he replaced Sgt. Slaughter as the WWF Commissioner. Throughout 1998 and 1999, Michaels would switch between heel and babyface, even briefly joining Vince McMahon's Corporation faction. He would make regular TV appearences, booking matches, stamping down his authority and sometimes deciding the outcome of matches. Following the summer of 1999 however, Michaels appearences would become more sparodic as he made fewer and fewer TV appearences and by the end of 1999 Vince McMahon had largely replaced him as the on-screen authority figure. In June 2000, Michaels handed over the role of commissioner to Mick Foley having made no on-screen appearences since the start of the year. He later became the Official Spokes Person for the WWF. To date he is the longest serving WWF Commissioner having filled the role for almost 20 months (close to 2 years). Michaels continued to do work for the WWF, often appearing at fan conventions such as "WWF Fan Axxes," and even officiating the Iron Man match between the Rock and Triple H at Judgment Day in May 2000. Also during this time, Michaels opened the Texas Wrestling Academy. In February 2001, Michaels signed a multi year contract extension with the WWF.

Returning to RAW

In 2002, Michaels returned to wrestling, brought in by Kevin Nash as the new member of the nWo. The storyline did not last very long. After the nWo was disbanded, Triple H apparently wanted to mend ties with Michaels. This was solidified when Michaels beseeched Triple H to return to RAW during the Brand Split. Later on, they came down to the ring with their D-Generation X music and attire, preparing to reignite the union of D-X to the cheers of the crowd. When they were about to do their trademark "suck it" taunt, Triple H nailed Michaels with his finishing move the Pedigree, knocking Michaels out cold. He attacked Michaels backstage, sending Michaels to the hospital. However, Michaels surprised everyone by challenging Triple H to "a fight" (a non-sanctioned match) at SummerSlam 2002, which Triple H accepted. Triple H did not take Michaels seriously going in to the match as Michaels was "washed up" and "crippled."

Michaels returned to the ring to wrestle a match against Triple H at SummerSlam 2002, laying the foundation for a feud that would last for years. This match was noted for Michaels in ring return after more than four years on the shelf, however looking surprisingly sharp and polished in the ring. Michaels took the fight to Triple H, including giving him a splash through a ringside table, consistently beating him with a steel chair, and finally giving him an elbow-drop off of a ladder. Michaels won the SummerSlam match but was attacked with a sledgehammer by Triple H after the match.

The two went on to face each other in brutal singles matches, street fights, a ladder match, a Steel Cage Match, a Last Man Standing match, twice in an Elimination Chamber (in which Michaels won the World Heavyweight Championship from Triple H at Survivor Series 2002), and in a Hell in a Cell match. Michaels lost the World Championship a month later to Triple H in a 2 out of three falls match when Triple H won the first fall in a street fight and Shawn winning the next one in a steel cage match and Triple H won the last fall in a ladder match at Armageddon in December 2002, and proceeded to feud with Chris Jericho.

This was one of the most anticipated matches going into Wrestlemania XIX as both stars had extrodinary resumes. On January 13, 2003, Jericho won an over-the-top-rope challenge against Kane, Rob Van Dam and Batista to select his entry number for the Royal Rumble, choosing number two in order to start the match with Michaels, who had already been named number one. At the Rumble, which took place in Boston at the Fleetcenter, Jericho eliminated Michaels after bloodying him with a steel chair, before being eliminated by Test after interference by Michaels. With all the hype going into Wrestlemania, both wrestlers delivered superb preformances. The match had a lot of highlights including Chris Jericho mimicking several of Shawn Michaels' moves and trademarks. He did the Shawn Michaels flying forearm and followed that with his trademark kip-up. After that, Jericho posed for the crowd using HBK's trademark pose. He also did a very similar Sweet Chin Music which he delivered right onto Shawn Michaels but in the end HBK barely got a roll-up and scored a victory. After the match, HBK offered his hand to Chris Jericho who, instead of shaking it, hugged Michaels. At first it seemed like good sportsmanship by Chris Jericho but he quickly kicked Michaels in the groin, leaving him in the ring and getting the last laugh.

Shawn Michaels was once again posed to procure the World Heavyweight Championship in late 2003. He was given a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship on the December 28 edition of Raw, which ended in controversy as Michaels had delivered a Sweet Chin Music to Triple H and Eric Bischoff the then General Manager of Raw came out and preceded in counting the 1, 2, 3. The decision was reversed by Bischoff as Michaels shoulders were down at the same time the pin took place. This meant a draw and Triple H remained Champion. Michaels then entered a Last Man Standing Match against the champion, Triple H, at the 2004 edition of the Royal Rumble. The match was a draw, as neither man answered the 10-count. Michaels went on to be in the main event of WrestleMania XX where he came up short in a match against Triple H and Chris Benoit, after Benoit forced Triple H to tap out to the crippler crossface, winning him the World Heavyweight Title. Later on in 2004 Michaels faced Triple H in a 45 minute Hell in a Cell match, but eventually lost after several Pedigrees. He also lost a World Heavyweight Championship match against Triple H at Taboo Tuesday 2004 when the fans voted for him ahead of Edge and Chris Benoit to face Triple H one more time. Edge was visibly angry and jealous that the fans votes Michaels not him and cost HBK the match by spearing him when Michaels was tuning up the band for Sweet Chin Music and an obvious victory. Michaels wrestled the match with a torn meniscus in his left leg and put forth a valiant effort.

Following this, HBK was out of action for a few months, returning in January 2005, when he was special guest referee in the Elimination Chamber match at the 2005 New Year's Revolution PPV.

At the 2005 Royal Rumble later that month Michaels started a rivalry with Kurt Angle who defeated him at WrestleMania 21. Michaels evened the score at the Vengeance PPV that year.

On the July 4, 2005 edition of RAW, Michaels and Hulk Hogan fought Kurt Angle and WWE Intercontinental Champion Carlito in a tag team match. During the post-match pose, Michaels hit Hogan with his patented Sweet Chin Music, knocking Hogan to the ground. Michaels just looked down at Hogan and walked away, turning heel for the first time since 2002.

The following week on RAW, HBK appeared on the Piper's Pit where he superkicked the host Roddy Piper and then challenged Hulk Hogan to a match at SummerSlam 2005. Hulk Hogan accepted his challenge next week on RAW, setting up the match billed as "The Legend vs. The Icon".

Prior to the 2005 SummerSlam, neither Hogan nor Michaels had lost in a one-on-one match at SummerSlam. Their main event match went back and forth, with two referees getting knocked out during the match and Michaels using a steel chair in an attempt to gain an advantage. Even after hitting his Sweet Chin Music, Hogan still kicked out and took it to Michaels, finally hitting him with his legdrop and scoring the victory. Michaels extended his hand to him, saying "I needed to know, and I found out" and he and Hogan shook hands. Michaels left the ring to allow Hogan to celebrate with the crowd and Michaels turned face once more.

Michaels began a feud with "The Masterpiece" Chris Masters as a face on RAW the night following SummerSlam. Michaels would later take part in the Masterlock Challenge. While unsuccessful in breaking the Master Lock, Michaels did set a new record as he became the longest-lasting competitor to take the Master Lock Challenge so far. The pair faced each other in a match at Unforgiven 2005 where Michaels would win via pinfall.

At WWE Homecoming, HBK wrestled Kurt Angle to a 2-2 draw in a 30-minute Iron Man match. This lead to vast dispute over the rightful #1 contender for the WWE title. After a victory over Carlito on the October 17th edition of RAW, Michaels became a possible choice for a place in the main event of Taboo Tuesday 2005. Michaels would win the fans choice for the second year running and become a part of the Triple Threat Match with John Cena and Kurt Angle. Cena would win and retain his belt.

On the RAW following Taboo Tuesday, Eric Bischoff announced that Michaels would be team captain for the 5-on-5 RAW vs SmackDown! elimination match at Survivor Series 2005. In the match, Shawn found himself as the sole remaining member of Team RAW, facing three wrestlers from Team SmackDown. After eliminating JBL and Rey Mysterio, Michaels was finally pinned by Randy Orton, giving Team SmackDown! the win. This was thanks to a distraction by JBL. This was almost a replay of Survivor Series 2003, where HBK had to single-handedly face Christian, Chris Jericho and Orton and after eliminating the first two, he got pinned by Orton; Michaels got pinned in 2003 thanks to interference by Batista and by an eliminated JBL in 2005.

On the December 5, 2005 edition of RAW, Shawn Michaels had an altercation with an impetuous Shelton Benjamin. The angle was continued the following week as the two were part of separate qualifying matches for the Elimination Chamber main event at New Year's Revolution 2006. Benjamin tried to display his new attitude in his match with Carlito by attempting to spit an apple in his face (Carlito's trademark) but it backfired when Carlito rolled up Benjamin for a three-count. Later on, HBK competed against The Big Show for his shot in the chamber. HBK won the match because of an interference by Triple H, and thereby disabling a possible Benjamin-HBK match at New Year's Revolution. Shawn Michaels appeared at the Tribute to the Troops where he defeated Triple H with Sweet Chin Music in a Boot Camp Match.

On the following RAW, Michaels took part in a Beat the Clock match against Gene Snitsky to determine who was last to enter in the Elimination Chamber at New Year's Revolution. He won with a time of 5:56 minutes, but his time would eventually be beat by Carlito (and ultimately, Kane). However, Michaels began the match as the first man to enter, along with then-WWE Champion John Cena. This is also known as the first of Mr. McMahon's "screwings" that took place during Michaels and McMahon's feud. Michaels went on to eliminate archrival Kurt Angle with Sweet Chin Music, making Angle the first man eliminated, but Michaels would go on to be eliminated third.

Feud with Vince McMahon

In the final 2005 episode of RAW – a plug for Bret Hart's new career-retrospective DVD – Vince McMahon lauded Michaels for his part in the Montreal Screwjob. Michaels said he was only being loyal to his company, but said he'd moved on and McMahon should move on as well. McMahon told Michaels he can "screw" him like he screwed Bret Hart, and he began setting unusual stipulations for Michaels' matches and interfering on behalf of Michaels' opponents.

After several weeks of attacks and stipulations, Michaels confronted McMahon in the ring and challenged him to a match. McMahon refused and attempted (unsuccessfully) to force Michaels to sign retirement papers before later, after Vince and Shane McMahon knocked HBK out with a steel chair, Mr. McMahon booked a match between himself and HBK at WrestleMania 22.

Michaels and Shane McMahon met in a Street Fight at Saturday Night's Main Event, in which HBK suplexed Shane off the top of a ladder onto two tables on the arena floor. Throughout the match, Vince interfered, allowing Shane to get the upper hand and hit Michaels repeatedly with a ladder. But Michaels kept kicking out and refused to submit and again got the upper hand, superkicking Shane, but Vince knocked the ref down before the three count. Michaels went after Vince McMahon, which gave Shane enough time to hit Michaels with a low blow from behind. Shane applied the Sharpshooter, and Vince McMahon immediately ordered for the bell to be rung even though Michaels didn't tap out; an allusion to the Montreal Screwjob.

Michaels defeated Mr. McMahon at WrestleMania 22 in a bloody No Holds Barred match. At Backlash 2006, Michaels (with "God" as his tag team partner) lost to Vince and Shane McMahon with help from the Spirit Squad in a no DQ match that saw Michaels suffer a partially broken nose. Michaels would go on to get some revenge on the Spirit Squad in various ways but by May 22, 2006 the Squad would, in storyline, injure Michaels' knee, an angle that was done so Michaels could get surgery on his knee, which has been legitimately injured for quite some time.

Return of DX

Shawn Michaels would return to RAW on June 12, 2006 during a 5-on-1 Gauntlet Match between Triple H and The Spirit Squad and help Triple H beat down the Spirit Squad, reuniting DX. DX officially reunited on the June 19, 2006 edition of RAW in Rochester, New York. DX would go on to defeat the Spirit Squad at Vengeance. Then, they yet again defeated the Spirit Squad at Saturday Night Main Event in a 5-on-2 handicap elimination match.

The next Monday in HBK's hometown of San Antonio, Texas, Shane McMahon went one-on-one with HBK, with Vince in Shane's corner and HHH in Michaels' corner. HBK looked to be going to victory but, when HHH was distracted by Vince, the Spirit Squad came and caused a disqualification by attacking Michaels. HHH was on the outside, and as Michaels was about to be about to be put through chairs, DX grabbed weapons and cleaned house.

Wrestling facts

  • Finishing and signature moves

  • Managers
  • The Showstopper
  • The Headliner
  • The Heartbreak Kid ("HBK")
  • The Icon
  • The Main Event
  • Mr. WrestleMania
  • The Sexy Boy
  • The Boy Toy
  • The Wrestler Of The 90's

  • Entrance music
The song "Sexy Boy" was originally written for Michaels by Jimmy Hart, a manager who wrote many entrance themes. Hart thanked Michaels personally for continuing to use the song as his entrance music when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. Michaels' entrance music was originally performed by Sherri Martel until she went face, and then the second version that is used today is performed by Shawn Michaels himself with traces of Sherri in the chorus portion of the song.

Wrestlers trained

Matt Bentley is Michaels' cousin and one of his former students.

Other former students of the Heartbreak Kid include:

See the page for the Texas Wrestling Academy for more info.

Championships and accomplishments

  • 1-time NWA Central States Tag Team Champion (with Marty Jannetty)
  • 1-time NWA Central States Television Champion
  • PWI ranked him # 1 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the year on the 1996 PWI 500 list.
  • PWI ranked him # 10 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the PWI Years (1991-2003).
  • PWI ranked him # 33 of the 100 best tag teams during the PWI Years (1991-2003) (with Marty Jannetty as The Rockers).
  • PWI ranked him # 55 of the 100 best tag teams during the PWI Years (1991-2003), this time with Diesel.
  • PWI Most Popular Wrestler (1995; 1996)
  • PWI Match of the Year Award (1993, vs. Marty Jannetty; 1994, vs. Razor Ramon; 1995 vs. Diesel; 1996, vs. Bret Hart; 2004, vs. Chris Benoit and Triple H; 2005, vs. Kurt Angle)
  • Michaels holds the record for most PWI Match of the Year honors with six.
    • Texas All-Stars
  • 1-time TAS Six Man Tag Team Champion
  • 2-time TAS Texas Tag Team Champion (with Paul Diamond)
    • Texas Wrestling Alliance

Championship succession

World Heavyweight Championship Preceded by:
Triple H First Followed by:
Triple H WWF Championship Preceded by:
Bret Hart First Followed by:
Sycho Sid Preceded by:
Sycho Sid Second Followed by:
Vacant Preceded by:
Bret Hart Third Followed by:
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin WWF Intercontinental Championship Preceded by:
The British Bulldog First Followed by:
Marty Jannetty Preceded by:
Marty Jannetty Second Followed by:
Vacant Preceded by:
Jeff Jarrett Third Followed by:
Dean Douglas WWF European Championship Preceded by:
The British Bulldog First Followed by:
Triple H Royal Rumble winners Preceded by:
Bret Hart and Lex Luger First
(1995) Followed by:
Himself Preceded by:
Himself Second
(1996) Followed by:
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin WWF World Tag Team Championship Preceded by:
The Headshrinkers First, with Diesel Followed by:
Vacant Preceded by:
Yokozuna and The British Bulldog Second, with Diesel Followed by:
Title returned at behest of Clarence Mason Preceded by:
Owen Hart and The British Bulldog Third, with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin Followed by:
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Dude Love AWA World Tag Team Championship Preceded by:
Buddy Rose and Doug Somers First, with Marty Jannetty Followed by:
Boris Zhukov and Soldat Ustinov Preceded by:
Randy Rose and Dennis Condrey Second, with Marty Jannetty Followed by:
Badd Company

  • Of Michaels's eleven WWF/E title reigns, only four ended in competitive matches. He has forfeited one WWF/E Championship and one Intercontinental Championship, was stripped of one Intercontinental Championship, forfeited or was stripped of all of his Tag Team Championships, and lost his European Championship by laying down for Triple H as a "Christmas present".
  • Michaels has been involved in every Elimination Chamber match, serving as referee for one and a participant in the others. His title win in the first Elimination Chamber match marked the first time in WWE history that a wrestler won the WWE or World Heavyweight Championship in a type of steel cage match.

Personal information

Michaels is married to former WCW Nitro Girl, Rebecca "Whisper" Curci. They were married on March 31st, 1999 and have one son, Cameron Cade who was born on January 6, 2000, and one daughter, Cheyenne Michelle who was born on August 19, 2004.

Michaels is ambidextrous and uses his right hand to draw and color and his left hand to write. However, he primarily uses his right foot when using Sweet Chin Music

Michaels is a born again Christian. His ring attire often incorporates cross symbols. His beliefs have been touched upon a number of times within the WWE, most notably when Vince McMahon declared to have booked a match between himself and son Shane, against Michaels and God, and introduced a "personal religion" named McMahonism. Also, while with the new D-Generation X, Shawn is often blindfolded or distracted when women flash their breasts at Triple H.

Michaels has nicknamed himself Mr. WrestleMania not because of his WrestleMania track record (which is not very stellar at 5 wins and 8 losses), but for the show-stealing performances/matches (win or lose) he is able to put forth with his opponent/opponents during the big event. Noticeable WrestleMania events that many fans remember of Shawn Michaels include his famous Ladder Match against Razor Ramon at WrestleMania X in 1994, the first ever Iron Man match against Bret Hart at WrestleMania XII in 1996, his match against Chris Jericho at WrestleMania XIX in 2003, and his match with Kurt Angle at WrestleMania 21 only to name a few. In those four matches, his record is 2-2.

Michaels has guest starred on former Television series' Baywatch, in 1996, and Pacific Blue, in 1999.

Michaels appeared on an Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling show in 1999, refereeing a match between Hayabusa and Mr. Gannosuke.

Both Shawn Michaels and his rival Bret Hart are former members of the nWo, though not at the same time. Michaels joined WWE's reformed NWO in June 2002. Hart was a member before WCW got purchased by Vince McMahon in March 2001.

Michaels has never wrestled a match on SmackDown! since the show's inception in the fall of 1999 though he has made numerous on-screen appearences.

Book

  • Heartbreak and Triumph: The Shawn Michaels Story

DVD and Video Releases

  • Hits From The Heart Break Kid VHS
  • Heart Break Kid Express Tour VHS
  • From The Vault: Shawn Michaels DVD
  • Shawn Michaels - Boyhood Dream DVD
  • D-Generation X VHS
  • D-Generation X DVD

References

External links

1965 births | American film actors | American professional wrestlers | American television actors | AWA alumni | Born-again Christians | D-Generation X | Living people | nWo | People of San Antonio | People from Arizona | Professional wrestling managers and valets | The Kliq

Shawn Michaels | Shawn Michaels | Shawn Michaels | Shawn Michaels | שון מייקלס | ショーン・マイケルズ | Shawn Michaels | Shawn Michaels

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Shawn Michaels".

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