Award for Awesomeness (Part 1):
"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels
"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels
If wrestling storylines are to be believed (and when have they ever been suspect?), then the illustrious 26-year wrestling career of Shawn Michaels came to an end on March 28th, 2010 at WrestleMania. He put his career on the line against the Undertaker's WM undefeated streak and came up short. I didn't really believe that HBK was going to be hanging up his assless chaps for good so I wasn't really too concerned. However, the next night on RAW when Shawn gave his farewell address, he really seemed to be sticking to his guns. Could it be that we've witnessed HBK's last match? If so, then I'm glad that we were there to witness it in person at WrestleMania 26 in Phoenix.
So if HBK is done, then what is his legacy? He's always been wrestling's gold standard for passion, tenacity, and guts. But I'll remember him best for two things: redemption and rebirth. Had his career ended in 1998 at WrestleMania 14 with bulging discs in his back, a horrible addiction to pain killers, and an admittedly jackass attitude to those who weren't in his "Kliq", then HBK would be remembered for the ladder matches, the Iron Man matches, Royal Rumble wins, and the WWF title reigns, but also for flaming out too early, not taking care of himself, and probably not really missed in the locker room. But it's amazing what four years, falling in love, having a kid, and finding his spirituality did for him. He returned at SummerSlam 2002 and enjoyed a second run at it.
In the rebirth era, he headlined three more WrestleManias and won Match of the Year honors six years in a row (vs. Triple H & Chris Benoit - 2004; vs. Kurt Angle - 2005; vs. Vince McMahon - 2006; vs. John Cena - 2007; vs. Ric Flair - 2008; vs. the Undertaker - 2009) and we can probably count on him and the Undertaker repeating in 2010. He won another World championship in the first Elimination Chamber. And he has kicked more people in the face with Sweet Chin Music than I can possibly count. Delightful.
Though HBK's wrestling career may be over, I doubt that he'll remain on the sidelines for long. He still has a long career in WWE left to go either on screen (RAW General Manager? Color commentator?) or backstage. He'll be back. So I will sit back and be patient until his unmistakable theme song blares out over an unsuspecting arena months or years down the road. Until then, Shawn Michaels has left me with plenty of memories. Thanks HBK, you are truly awesome.
So if HBK is done, then what is his legacy? He's always been wrestling's gold standard for passion, tenacity, and guts. But I'll remember him best for two things: redemption and rebirth. Had his career ended in 1998 at WrestleMania 14 with bulging discs in his back, a horrible addiction to pain killers, and an admittedly jackass attitude to those who weren't in his "Kliq", then HBK would be remembered for the ladder matches, the Iron Man matches, Royal Rumble wins, and the WWF title reigns, but also for flaming out too early, not taking care of himself, and probably not really missed in the locker room. But it's amazing what four years, falling in love, having a kid, and finding his spirituality did for him. He returned at SummerSlam 2002 and enjoyed a second run at it.
In the rebirth era, he headlined three more WrestleManias and won Match of the Year honors six years in a row (vs. Triple H & Chris Benoit - 2004; vs. Kurt Angle - 2005; vs. Vince McMahon - 2006; vs. John Cena - 2007; vs. Ric Flair - 2008; vs. the Undertaker - 2009) and we can probably count on him and the Undertaker repeating in 2010. He won another World championship in the first Elimination Chamber. And he has kicked more people in the face with Sweet Chin Music than I can possibly count. Delightful.
Though HBK's wrestling career may be over, I doubt that he'll remain on the sidelines for long. He still has a long career in WWE left to go either on screen (RAW General Manager? Color commentator?) or backstage. He'll be back. So I will sit back and be patient until his unmistakable theme song blares out over an unsuspecting arena months or years down the road. Until then, Shawn Michaels has left me with plenty of memories. Thanks HBK, you are truly awesome.
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