It was the moment Shawn Michaels had been waiting more than four years for. The infamous theme music was about to blare over the loudspeakers, and a long-dormant phenomenon was about to be reborn. The T-shirt still fit, like he'd never taken it off in the first place. Triple H—one of his oldest and best friends—stood at his side, slapped him hard on the back and asked, “Are you ready?”About 20 seconds before his music cued, he lost contact with the material world, and his career—one of the absolute best in the history of the industry—flashed before his eyes: his WWE debut in 1988 with Marty Jannetty as one of The Rockers; winning the Intercontinental title for the first time at Survivor Series in 1992; winning his first Royal Rumble in 1993; his ladder match against Razor Ramon at SummerSlam in 1995; his World Championship victory over Bret Hart in the Iron Man Match at WrestleMania XII; his epic battle with Undertaker in the very first Hell in the Cell match; and finally, the flash of Mike Tyson's right hand just before it struck his face at his last title match in 1998 at WrestleMania XIV A three-time WWE Champion and the first Grand-Slam winner (having won the World, Intercontinental, Tag Team and now-defunct European championships), indeed, Shawn Michaels was the very best of them all. Not since that fateful night in Boston in 1998 had the Heartbreak Kid strutted to the ring as a member of D-Generation X. So much had happened in those ensuing years. Michaels, who battled Stone Cold Steve Austin that night, despite an excruciating back injury which forced him to undergo spinal-fusion surgery and sent him into retirement immediately after that match, had maintained a checkered, but always loyal, relationship with WWE. Most recently, he had been summoned back by his old running buddy Kevin Nash to take part in the restoration of the New World Order (nWo). But now, even that seemed an eternity ago. Nash was sidelined by a serious quadriceps injury, and the nWo had been disbanded for good. Rather than pack his bag and ride off into the sunset one more time, Michaels decided to team up with another longtime friend, Triple H. It was Michaels who implored “The Game” to choose Eric Bischoff's Raw team over exwife Stephanie McMahon̓s SmackDown! crew, saying he and Triple H could raise hell once again like in the old days. When the music hit, it was just like old times: Triple H and the Heartbreak Kid, cockily strutting down the ramp in DX colors as the arena went berserk. Michaels was feeding off the unbelievable energy from the crowd; he hadn't been so fired up in years. He was clearly basking in the moment as Triple H dipped back into the DX bag of tricks for his “Let's get ready to suck it!” intro. Which is why Michaels never saw the Pedigree coming He and the rest of the world were shocked by the totally unexpected attack. The euphoria and nostalgia of the DX reunion had lasted only 30 seconds before Triple H laid it—and Michaels—to waste. He had been stabbed in the back and drawn into combat by someone he respected and trusted. But this was the moment when, at long last, the old Shawn Michaels truly returned. Now, HBK was back. But with his bad back still very much a factor and being opposed by the very best in the business—The Game”—the odds were stacked high against him. But he wasn't fazed. Shawn Michaels has been battling the odds his entire career. His critics said he was too small to become World Champion, and that he was too cocky to survive in the rough-and-tumble world of sports-entertainment. He proved them wrong then, just as he is now intent on proving wrong those who believe that the end of the nWo and Triple H's betrayal signal the end of his comeback. Never one to back away from speaking his mind, Michaels recently discussed his reasons for returning to WWE, his fractured relationship with Triple H, as well as many other issues in this exclusive WWE Magazine interview.
WWE Magazine: What's the real reason that Shawn Michaels came back to WWE?
Shawn Michaels: I wanted to come back to be with my buddies, like Kevin Nash, and have some fun. Unfortunately, Kevin got hurt and the nWo fell apart, but we're still going to have some fun out there—and raise a few eyebrows.
WWE: When you came back to WWE, Kevin Nash was the undisputed leader of the nWo. Did you come back aiming to take his spot, or were you content to stand by his side?
Michaels: Well, Kevin's seven-feet-tall and 300 pounds, so if he wanted to be the leader, then he was going to be the leader. I had no problem with that. He founded the organization, and he wanted me to be a part of it years ago. Everybody knows that the nWo and D-Generation X, which I founded, were two branches of the most famous group in sports-entertainment history, the KIiq. I respect Kevin for being the founder of the nWo, and I'm sure he respects me for being the founder of DX, so it wasn't a problem. We've been around too long to have any jealousy or animosity towards each other. Friends, like Kevin and me, dont compete with each other for anything— except maybe friendship. The only time we get upset is when we're not having fun; then we might think there̓s a problem. WWE
WWE: : So as the founding member of DX, you didn't have any reservations about joining the nWo, which at one time was a competing faction?
Michaels: Way back, when we made our infamous “Curtain Call” at Madison Square Garden, we set our goal to be on top of both WWE and WCW, to pretty much take over the business. And we were pretty successful. I was the World Champion here, Kevin was the World Champion there. Triple H was second here, and Scott [Hall was second there. So, we pretty much accomplished what we set out to do. WWE:
WWE: Speaking of the Kliq and how close you all were over the years, that must have made Triple H's betrayal even harder to take. One of your oldest and most trusted friends betrays you, assaults you and forces you out of retirement Beyond the physical pain, and that how much did that hurt you personally?
Michaels: More than I can express Triple H and I haven't always seen eye-to-eye on things, especially the way he took over DX after I lost the title to Austin in 1998, and told the world that I had “dropped the ball.” But I thought all of that was behind us, that we were cool again. Interesting way to find out we weren't cool huh? WWE:
WWE: Considering the seriousness of your back condition, did you have any thoughts of just leaving WWE following Triple H's attack, rather than face him in the ring at SummerSlam?
Michaels: Maybe for a split second, but no longer than that. Of all people, Triple H had to know that there was no way I was going to let that stand. You don't just layout Shawn Michaels like that and humiliate him without some payback coming your way. It'd been a long time since I've been in the ring and in battles like that, but I'm still Shawn Michaels. Triple H had to know that I'd never let that slide. I think he found that out
WWE: During all those years away, was it hard to be so close to the action and not be able to get involved inside the ring?
Michaels: Not really. I didn't miss getting beat up. You have to remember that I got tossed around an awful lot back in the day. I'm not seven feet and 300 pounds, so I didn't miss that aspect of it. I did miss the good stuff, which I've done a bit of, like Superkicking people. So, I was doing the best part of this job, which is beating people up, without getting beat up.
WWE: You've one of the great champions of all time, yet in your last title match you were left lying on the canvas from a Mike Tyson right hand. Does that bother you?
Michaels: I don't judge my legacy in this line of work on one match. I judge it over my whole career. That was a very big match, and Steve Austin was coming to the forefront. Mike Tyson played a part in that, and while I definitely would have preferred to win that match and not get punched by Tyson, it doesn't bother me. I think my it doesn̓t bother me. I think my career speaks for itself.
WWE: In your absence, quite a few Superstars have stepped up. Some are now top-flight Superstars, and others are on the verge of breaking out. Are there particular who you're impressed with?
Michaels: There are a lot of guys that I̓m impressed with. I'm impressed with Brock Lesnar and Rob Van Dam. I think Booker T is great. And, there's one young kid by the name of Ric Flair, that I’ve always liked. He’s got a lot of potential, and I think that if he keeps at it, gets some experience, and puts in a little more time, he might turn out to be someone. (Laughs)
WWE: What are some of the bigger differences in you since you were last here?
Michaels: Obviously, age changes people. Hopefully, I'm a little bit more mature, a little wiser. I think I'm a bit craftier. The fans might see a little bit different Shawn Michaels out there. Now I'm still going to be raising a ruckus and doing stuff that only Shawn Michaels can, but I'll be doing it in perhaps a slightly different manner.
WWE: Could there be another Shawn Michaels lurking in this locker room?
Michaels: : No I think there are people with more talent in some aspects of the business, but I don't see anyone who puts it all together the way I did. It doesn't mean it won't happen, but from what I've seen, I haven't seen anyone who can put it all together the way I did.
Word association
WWE: Kevin Nash?
Michaels: Best friend.WWE: Big Show?
Michaels: Like a big teddy bear.WWE: Goldust?
Michaels: Too funnyWWE: Ric Flair?
Michaels: My idolWWE: Kurt Angle?
Michaels: Just about the most talented guy here.WWE: Booker T?.
Michaels: More talented than I thought. Sorry to do what I had to do to him.WWE: Vince McMahon?
Michaels: Very loyal, patient, been my buddyWWE: Hollywood Hulk Hogan?
Michaels: Still the legend