Shawn Michaels

[Guest Loss4Words]

It appears that Shawn is on the way back in, at least if the rumors are correct. There have been seemingly millions of HBK rumors since 1998, and so far, all rumors of him returning have been false. However, with the WWF's recent affection toward nostalgia, I think the possibility of Shawn returning is probably higher than it's ever been. Let's discuss.

 

PROS

1. Name value - Yes, Hulk Hogan made his name in the WWF, but that was so long ago. Most younger fans remember him more for the NWO than Hulkamania. While not every current fan is familiar with Shawn Michaels, he probably is more relevant to today's WWF than anyone currently in the NWO. There are dream matches for Shawn with guys like Austin, HHH and Jericho, all of which could draw a good buyrate if properly promoted.

 

2. Youth Factor - While Shawn is a retired wrestler, he's younger than Hogan, Hall or Nash and even younger than a lot of guys on the active WWF roster like Steve Austin and the Undertaker. If the NWO is truly trying to appeal to the younger, hipper crowd, Shawn Michaels is one person that could help build that bridge. He has the "cool factor" working in his favor more than any of the aforementioned wrestlers and no one plays an immature, obnoxious jerk better than Shawn.

 

3. Younger talent would benefit - This would be actually dependent on some of the cons I'm about to list, but Shawn is probably more capable of elevating younger guys than the NWO guys are. He has always been a perfectionist and despite all the criticisms that have come his way, there are two things that have never been questioned about HBK -- his work ethic and his ability to perform. I think he would be more capable of giving a Benoit or RVD or Edge or Jericho or Angle a rub than even someone like HHH could if we see him peak again. Shawn's pride was always his downfall and I honestly do not believe that he would return if he thought he was going to embarrass himself. His ego is too big for that, which leads us to the cons.

 

CONS

1. Lack of reliability - Shawn Michaels has always had a certain amount of shove with management. True, he headlined in a time when they needed big names desperately, but between self-imposed walkouts, substance abuse problems and apprehension toward laying down for other guys, you have to question whether or not Shawn would be willing (and able) to do the right thing for business when the time came.

 

2. Health - This ties into the first one to a certain extent as well. If everything about his medical condition that we've heard is correct, Shawn is in decent shape right now, but is only capable of doing so much. I fear what would happen if he took a bump awkwardly. While a comeback for Michaels could be great, it's not something worth risking if there's a possibility of him crippling himself anymore than he managed to do toward the end of his career.

 

3. His return lies too heavily on nostalgia - Shawn would probably spike business for a week, but there are more relevant guys in today's landscape like the Rock and HHH (and even the NWO) whose returns have spiked business for a very short period of time, only for it to return to normal after a week or so. If Raw will get a 4.5 rating without him and a 4.5 rating with him and if buyrates would stay the same, is there a point to bringing him back?

 

I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts here.

[Guest Shawn]

I'm doubtful that he'll lace boots again (for a real match anyways...) but he'll probably serve as a mouthpiece.

 

Lets just hope he doesn't take any Enziguris any time soon...

[Guest HeartBreakCod]

All pretty good points. The only thing I'd add is that he was such a good worker that him down a few notches and without his big bumps, would still be more watchable than a lot of the roster at the moment. I couldn't see him working in a more technical mat based style (like Austin went more brawling after injury), protect his back by cutting out the suicidal bumping.  Bearing in mind his mic skills (which even the "he screwed my pink tighted hero, he's evil!" brigade can't argue with) he could get over no problem.

 

If he doesn't come back tomorrow night I can't see him coming back at all.  This is the perfect opportunity.  Live Smackdown, home town, NWO angle to slide into (either with or against).  I know he's not exactly shy coming forward with his booking 'ideas' but with Austin, Hogan and HBK there they should cancel each other out, Vince can only listen to one at a time!

[Guest JHawk]

All good points.  But outside of the nWo angle, where can they realistically put him?  And if they put him in the nWo angle and it flops, how do they recover?  Of course, they should probably bring him in if at all possible since they're still paying him and everything.

[Guest mastermind]

I was actually going to do a poll to see how much people actually think Shawn would return on SmackDown. I never even considered it until I read one of the "dirtsheets" online yesterday. The wwf's recent booking points to him not showing up. The reason being that the wwf doesn't like to surprise anyone anymore. They let everything fall into place like a "script". They mentioned Rock would show up on SmackDown which I think would have been better if they never announced it. Rock having a miracle and returning sooner than possible to shock the nWo. Now Rock is expected and the pop won't be as big because we expect him.

 

Triple H's return was hyped for weeks. Rock's return was also hyped. Frigging Hogan/Hall/Nash was announced well in advanced. I don't see anything leading to a Shawn Michaels return. That poster is right, if HBK doesn't come in on smackdown he aint coming back. You can't get a better environment or situation for Shawn. So, I'll go out on a limb and say he won't show up.

[Guest HeartBreakCod]

There are a couple of things that would point to his return from a booking aspect (not that that has ever meant anything before).  

 

Firstly, as mastermind pointed out, its been a while since the WWF has given us a real surprise, probably ECW on Raw, that was a while ago and know surprises are vital for holding a large, long term fan base if not short term TV ratings.

 

The other thing I've been thinking is that they need something else to hype Wrestlemania, the run up has been pretty flat this year and WM18 is a very important show for the company.  They've even tried to bring in Bret Hart, which they would have had to make all sorts of concessions to pull off.  If they were trying to get Bret (and we all know Bret always tells the truth!) why wouldn't they try to get Shawn when they're already paying him?  Surely he's the ultimate heel in Canada (along with Vinny), and he'll get the NWO or whoever guaranteed heat.

[Guest AlwaysPissedOff]

Eh, I was never impressed with HBK's mic skills ever.

 

As for his possible return, I just think that it wouldn't be a good thing. or one, he can't wrestle like he used to anymore due to the injury, he was never that great on the mic, and he would be hoping for the fans to remember him from way back in the beginnings of the Attitude Era.

 

I mean, let's say he joins the NWO, so what? It just wouldn't seem like such a big deal to me because he's just another washed up wrestler being brought in for a a storyline. Granted, it WOULD spike ratings for a bit like the NWO, but I just don't see what Michaels could bring to the table to sustain that.

[Guest Rabies]

If there's the smallest chance that Shawn can make an in-ring return, Vince would, in no doubt, take up on that offer and milk it for everything it's worth. There are big money programs and matches in the future to be made off of it with HHH, Rock, Flair, and Hogan

[Guest Army Eye]

Triple H's return was hyped for weeks. Rock's return was also hyped. Frigging Hogan/Hall/Nash was announced well in advanced. I don't see anything leading to a Shawn Michaels return. That poster is right, if HBK doesn't come in on smackdown he aint coming back. You can't get a better environment or situation for Shawn. So, I'll go out on a limb and say he won't show up.

You're right for the most part.  If they got Bret Hart to ref the WM main event in Toronto though, the plan was to keep it unannounced.

 

It's tough to say what to do with Shawn.  I agree with what others have said, now is definitely the best time for him to come back.  So do you debut him on TV and hype him up, or have him do a surprise run-in at Wrestlemania?

 

The latter would be great to add some real buzz to the show, and would surely help the replay buyrate and the next day's Raw rating.  But on the other hand, maybe if the WWF sees that their promotion of Wrestlemania has been a little lackluster, they'll decide to play one of the biggest trump cards they have, and have Shawn join the NWO on Smackdown to drive up the Wrestlemania buyrate.

[Guest Just call me Dan]

I don't care to see Shawn anymore in his commisioner role, or as a guest ref, or even as a manager.  If Shawn is back on my TV, I think he should sack up and lace 'em up.

 

Austin's neck is screwed, he took it easy, adjusted his style as far as the moves and bumps he takes, and he's lookin fantastic.

 

Why wouldn't the WWF want a money maker who I promise would be above average in the ring.  I think you could compare his comeback to the ring work of Kanyon.  Solid as hell, probably won't screw stuff up.

 

With his charisma and name value, it would be nice.  

 

If he doesn'treturn, I wish he would openly say that's it for good.  I'm about tired of these HBK returning rumors every month.  Enough already!

[Guest Tony149]

I think it would be a good idea to have Flair book a match with Nash vs. Austin on Smackdown with HBK as guest referee. Then have HBK superkick Austin just as he (Austin) is about give Nash a Stunner and join the nWo.

 

Hell, they're paying (and wasting money) HBK money to sit at home. Like the others have said, if he's going to be used, now is the time to do it.

[Guest BaronVonStevie]

if HBK does come back don't worry... if the guy has any brains he'll follow Hogan, Hall, and Nash in laying low backstage. If Shawn comes back he will be the good hand or he will never come back. Shawn knows this.

[Guest RetroRob215]

3. His return lies too heavily on nostalgia - Shawn would probably spike business for a week, but there are more relevant guys in today's landscape like the Rock and HHH (and even the NWO) whose returns have spiked business for a very short period of time, only for it to return to normal after a week or so. If Raw will get a 4.5 rating without him and a 4.5 rating with him and if buyrates would stay the same, is there a point to bringing him back?

There is a reason to bring him back, he is making $52,000 a week to sit on his ass at home.  Even if he doesn't wrestle, he can still contribute to the product in a positive way.  They already have him on the payroll, so bringing him back definetly will not cause them to lose money.  Therefore, the WWF should call him and tell him that he will contribute at least until his contract is up.

[Guest Brian]

if HBK does come back don't worry... if the guy has any brains he'll follow Hogan, Hall, and Nash in laying low backstage. If Shawn comes back he will be the good hand or he will never come back. Shawn knows this.

Shawn was a different person backstage then they were. It'll be hard for him to keep himself in check long enough.

[Guest BaronVonStevie]

Shawn was a different person backstage then they were. It'll be hard for him to keep himself in check long enough.

dude he's a big boy now. He can behave. The guy will at least need to politic his way around before he starts pissing people off. Shawn is smarter than that. He is also unable and unwilling to work regularly. That means he will not get a push per se. That means for Shawn his power will be limited. Don't worry. If Shawn comes back(and that's IF... cripes last year there was a Shawn rumor every month saying he was coming back) he will behave like a good hand. If Hall and Nash(particualrly Kevin Nash) can do it, Shawn Michaels can do it.

[Guest Some Guy]

Shawn could easily adjust his style to a mat based Bret Hart style, with some bumping, Mania 14 is an example of this.  He is/was an unbelievable performer, in his prime I think he was even better than Flair.  They should bring him back if for nothing else to get a return on their investment.

[Guest BaronVonStevie]

Shawn said on his shoot that coming back in his condition was a definate "no way." He claims to have lost close to 30 percent mobility in his back. You can't work like that. I heard a rumor (just an internet rumor) that if Shawn Michaels ever tried a leg drop or a tailbone bump any higher than the 2nd rope... he wouldn't be able to get up. You can't work like that either.

[Guest Some Guy]

He did that shoot in 99 or 2000 right?

He was ready to comeback for Mania X-7 last year and was sent home for being pilled up.  If he couldn't do a legdrop or go off the top at all he wouldn't have even tried to comeback.  He will at least want to be able to do his top rope elbow, which he did with herniated disks in his back at Mania 14.  If Shawn couldn't do any of the things that he could before than he wouldn't comeback, he has too much pride and his ego is way to big for him to comeback and be just average.  At about 37 years old he won't be as good as he was in the mid-late 90s, but he can still be great, otherwise he woulnd't even try, IMO

[Guest Tony149]

How old is HBK anyway? 34-35?

[Guest BaronVonStevie]

oh I agree with you that Shawn not coming back is part ego. You can't deny the guy's love of performance though. Shawn put himself through hell for the fans. The problems with his back are actually worse than at 14 is what I hear. He had the vertebrae fused, that mean they don't move at all. Heffed up on goofballs Shawn could at least bounce around full tilt for a little bit with Steve. You can see him fine until about 5 minutes into the match... then it is hard to watch.

 

the stuff about him being "pilled up" last year is beyond me man. I never heard it from good enough sources. Was it ever reported on WWF.com?

[Guest Some Guy]

After the "Holy Shit Bump" when HHH didn't catch him he started wincing in pain, yet still put on a hell of a performance.  

I know he had his vertabrae fused, but m,y point is that if he couldn't perform and knows it because his back is so bad than he wouldn't have wasted the time and effort to train last year.

Tony, my 96 PWI Almanac says his birtday is 7/22/65, which would make him 36.

[Guest RetroRob215]

I would guess 33-35.

[Guest Army Eye]

Shawn will be 37 in July

[Guest BaronVonStevie]

m,y point is that if he couldn't perform and knows it because his back is so bad than he wouldn't have wasted the time and effort to train last year.

I'm not saying Shawn is a saint, he could very well have lied to work fans or even just changed his mind... his training last year could easily have been for anything. He could have just toned up to look better. He could have gotten into shape for taking the most minor of bumps. My point is that we shouldn't jump to any conclusions until Shawn Michaels is in a wrestling ring on TV.

 

on a side note, I hope to god he can still go. Shawn is my hero.

[Guest Ash Ketchum]

If HBK comes back on Smackdown... I'll have a heart attack due to the shock.

 

As of right now, though. Kevin Nash still has no WMX8 match.

 

My feeling is, though, he'll face Big Show in a chokeslam match or something. Blarg.

 

If they're gonna do it... Nash should cut a promo about being Big Sexy and no one's sexier than him. Cue HBK, who comes out and the two exchange words, leading up to a Nash challenge at WMX8.

 

HBK declines initally.

 

Cut to Toronto: Nach comes out, cuts a promo on HBK woosing out, HBK's music hits, Michaels sneaks up from behind and hits Nash with a chair, match starts.

 

From here, they can do what they wish, whether have HBK turn heel and join the nWo or feud with Nash. Their choice.