HBK

[JoeDirt 0]

1) Where did HBK wrestle before signing with the WWF to be in the Rockers?

2) Given Vince's reluctance to push non-big-men, how did HBK get an IC title push and even a world title match against Bret Hart at Survivor Series in late 1992?

3) How close was HBK to leaving the WWF in 1993?

4) I read somewhere that the original plan in 1995 was to have a Diesel/HBK rematch at the first IYH after Wrestlemania, but then that was changed because Sid injured HBK with a messed up powerbomb. But the booking that night really seemed focused on setting up a Diesel/Sid match (with Diesel running out to save HBK), so was that ever the plan at all?

5) When did HBK start using the superkick as a finisher? When was it dubbed as Sweet Chin Music?

 

Thanks!

[Guest drdrainoscott]

1. Michaels and Jannetty were in the AWA as the Midnight Rockers (get it, Midnight Express + Rock & Roll Express?) prior to the WWF. McMahon dropped the Midnight from their names because he didn't want the team to seem like a ripoff.

 

2. Due to the steriod trial of 1992, McMahon was slowly phasing out their big men. Nonetheless, the Hart/Michaels match was announced before either of them held the World or IC titles, so it was just a coincidence. The IC title had been held by smaller wrestlers for years (Hart, Perfect, Savage, Santana, etc), so Michaels getting the belt wasn't that big of a shock.

 

3. Close enough that they stripped the IC title from him. I don't really know that much about this...

 

4. ???

 

5. I think he began using it when he turned face in 1995, though I'm not sure.

[TheOriginalOrangeGoblin 0]

1) Where did HBK wrestle before signing with the WWF to be in the Rockers?

2) Given Vince's reluctance to push non-big-men, how did HBK get an IC title push and even a world title match against Bret Hart at Survivor Series in late 1992?

3) How close was HBK to leaving the WWF in 1993?

4) I read somewhere that the original plan in 1995 was to have a Diesel/HBK rematch at the first IYH after Wrestlemania, but then that was changed because Sid injured HBK with a messed up powerbomb. But the booking that night really seemed focused on setting up a Diesel/Sid match (with Diesel running out to save HBK), so was that ever the plan at all?

5) When did HBK start using the superkick as a finisher? When was it dubbed as Sweet Chin Music?

 

Thanks!

1. In AWA as the Midngiht rockers.

2. Steroid trials. Same reason Bret, Flair & Savage ran the WWF in 92.

3. Pretty close. According to him he got accused of roids and suspended. According to other he started negotiating with WCW while champ. One way or another it got him stripped of the belt.

4. Never heard of this. Don't think so though, I'm pretty usre it was a way to turn HBK face and to get Sid into the ME picture.

5. He started using it in early 95 as he needed a finisher which was effective against big men to fight Diesel. IT got named "Sweet Chin Music" in mid-95 I think.

[El Gigante 0]

5) When did HBK start using the superkick as a finisher? When was it dubbed as Sweet Chin Music?

He started using it in early 95 after he had put out Diesel many times with it. It was called "sweet chin music" just before the July 95 In Your House PPV when in an interview HBK said that since they were going to be in Nashville he would cue up the band and some "sweet chin music" or something along those lines.

[Guest Mulatto Heat]

About #4, Scott Keith mentioned in his WM 11 rant that Michaels was supposed to win the title at the first IYH.

 

About #5, I believe Michaels first said 'sweet chin music' in his interview after losing to Diesel at WM 11.

[MillenniumMan831 0]

I think HBK used the superkick as a finisher as early as 1994 since he kept accidentally superkicking Diesel costing him a few matches in 1994, but I don't know if he used it as a formal finish at the time.

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

I think HBK used the superkick as a finisher as early as 1994 since he kept accidentally superkicking Diesel costing him a few matches in 1994, but I don't know if he used it as a formal finish at the time.

That's when it started. He had taken six months off after Wrestlemania, and he was using it when he got back (when he wasn't standing on the apron letting Diesel do all the work).

 

During his first run, from the heel turn until his suspension in 1993, he used the teardrop suplex.

 

When he came back with his IC Title until after Wrestlemania he used the piledriver.

 

And of course he used a flying fistdrop as a Rocker.

 

Come to think of it, for such a talented wrestler, his finishers really really sucked.

[cawthon777 0]

According to Michaels himself, he never was that interested in going to WCW - take it for what it's worth. As stated earlier, he credited his suspension with being a result of failing a drug test. Whether he was negotiating with WCW or not, being off TV for a month is reason enough to strip him of the title.

 

As far as the superkick issue, he used it off and on as far back as early 1993, and even earlier as a setup to the back suplex. On the first Raw, he beat Max Moon with the move ... then beat Crush with it at the first KOTR ... etc. I don't recall any one match from 93 in which Michaels used the back suplex to win. Actually, in the buildup to Summer Slam 93 and the match with Mr. Perfect, I remember Shawn using a variety of finishers against jobbers - including a flying clothesline and the piledriver. The flying clothesline came into play in the PPV match when Perfect turned it into an arm drag.

 

...Why do people care what Scott Keith has to say?

[Guest Askewniverse]

As far as the superkick issue, he used it off and on as far back as early 1993, and even earlier as a setup to the back suplex.  On the first Raw, he beat Max Moon with the move ... then beat Crush with it at the first KOTR ... etc.

Didn't Michaels beat Max Moon with the teardrop suplex in that match?

[cawthon777 0]

I was going off memory on that one. If anyone has seen that match since it aired live (I haven't) and can correct the finish, feel free to do so.

[deancoles 0]

I saw Hbk beat Skinner with the Superkick on a 92 superstars,Virgil was probably the biggest name that lost to his Teardrop Suplex which shows how it was viewed as a finish.

[Guest Askewniverse]

I was going off memory on that one. If anyone has seen that match since it aired live (I haven't) and can correct the finish, feel free to do so.

I just checked my tape, and Michaels won with the teardrop suplex.

[Garth 0]

Can someone please describe what the Tear Drop suplex is for me.

[cawthon777 0]

It's similar to the Olympic Slam in how it starts (arm hooks the leg) but otherwise is a simple back suplex.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

Hasn't Michaels ALWAYS been using the Super Kick as far back as a Rocker? Of course, it wasn't even a transitional move at the time because no one sold it like in 1995-on.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

Lets not forget the Rocker Dropper.

[cawthon777 0]

I think the last time Shawn hit the Rocker Dropper was 1991.

[JoeDirt 0]

Hasn't Michaels ALWAYS been using the Super Kick as far back as a Rocker? Of course, it wasn't even a transitional move at the time because no one sold it like in 1995-on.

Yeah, I believe you're right.