At Wrestlemania 26 The Undertaker defeated Shawn Michaels to apparently end HBK’s illustrious career. And what a career it was! Shawn Michaels was a multi-time tag team champion, multi-time Intercontinental champion, the first ever grand slam champion, two time Royal Rumble winner and multi-time World Champion. And these are just a few of his accolades. And because of all these achievements, and arguably being the greatest in-ring performer there has ever been, HBK takes his well deserved place in the WWE Hall Of Fame.
But does that now mean he will never return? Michaels has been adamant for nearly a year now that he will not be back as an active wrestler.
Shawn Michaels vows not to return to WWE
The night following Wrestlemania on Raw, Shawn Michaels stated that out of respect for The Undertaker and for his own millions of fans, he would not renege on his retirement clause and he would stay away from the business for good.
Fans however have heard all this before from Ric Flair, Mick Foley and most recently Bret Hart. And the difference between those superstars and Shawn Michaels is that at the time of his retirement Michaels was still “The Showstopper”. He was still consistently delivering five star matches to his adoring fans and his character will always remain interesting and relevant whether as a heel or a face.
Shawn Michaels will never go to TNA
One thing is pretty much for sure, or as guaranteed as anything ever is in wrestling. Shawn Michaels is highly unlikely to ever go to TNA. He knows that his entire wrestling legacy is due to his 22 year career in the WWE. All the above accomplishments were achieved there.
He would also likely see a move to TNA as a major step down for him and Shawn Michaels likes to be in the limelight. The WWE is his home and if he did ever return to wrestling it would be once again to do business with Vince McMahon. His HOF place now almost certainly rules this out, even if it didn't for Ric Flair.
What if Shawn Michaels did return to WWE?
There will never be a shortage of opponents for Michaels to face and he is one of those rare performers who can have an excellent match with just about anyone. His popularity and duration of success means that he now transcends the heel/baby face divide much in the same vein that people like Triple H and The Undertaker do.
It is a privileged position reserved for the very best but it means the WWE fans will cheer for him and react no matter what he does. There are certainly more matches for Shawn to have if he does ever decide to return to the ring and for once fans will be hoping this is one retirement stipulation that can be broken.
However if it is broken he must return as an in ring performer. During his back injury years ago he tried different special refereeing roles and commissioner roles that never really went anywhere and simply left fans clamouring for him to return to the ring.
Shawn Michaels – One more match
It might take something very special for Shawn to don the tights once more. And because of that his appearances would be limited to very infrequent main event spots on pay per views or temporary one night only DX reunions alongside Triple H.
Fans haven’t quite got their heads around the fact that they may never see Shawn Michaels wrestle again, and will be praying that the phrase “never say never” truly applies in the case of the legendary “Heartbreak Kid”.
Steve Bartle - Steve Bartle, is a 33 year old from Bradford in the UK. He has had a successful and varied career to date performing such roles as a ...
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