******************************************NOTE***********************************
This interview was done before WrestleMania XII
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OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 America Online, Inc.

OnlineHost: Welcome to the World Wrestling Federation on AOL!!!!!!

OnlineHost: Ok...Folks, Jake Roberts couldn't make it( due to conflicting schedules)..........HOWEVER..we have a special guest filling in for him!!!

OnlineHost: The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels!!!!!!! Will join us!!!

OnlineHost: Welcome Shawn Michaels!!!!

WWFLive1: Shawn: Hello boys and girls, I'm here so fire away!

Question: SHAWN, WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MARTY JANETTY NOW?

WWFLive1: Shawn: Casual friends.

Question: What do you think of BDC now?

WWFLive1: Shawn:I would have to say that Diesel is upset with a number of things in and out of our business and he is just doing what he wants, when he wants. It may not be the right think in the eyes of the fans, but as long as he doesn't do it to me, I feel ok. Besides if he does do it to me, what can I do about it?

Question: Shawn would you consider going to WCW with Kevin Nash?

WWFLive1: Shawn: No, because Kevin is at a different juncture in his career. Kevin needs what WCW is offering him and his family. I am lucky enough to be in a totally different situation, so there is absolutely no chance of me going to WCW right now. The Kliq is expanding in this business.

Question: How does it feel having Super Sock in your corner?

WWFLive1: Shawn: It feels very good. Jose and I were very close when I first started. Over the years, we have kept in touch but to have him at my side during the biggest point of my career makes me happy. And from what he tells me it makes him very happy.

Question: Shawn, how has wrestling changed from the days when you started out at Mid. South Wrestling?

WWFLive1: Shawn: I think that the entertainment dollar is much tougher to stretch in the 90s so that has caused people in our business to get off their ass and have to work much harder trying to come up with various ideas to keep our fans interested. I think that through the mid 80s and early 90s we saturated the market with too much tv, but over the last couple of years the fans have learned to digest all of that tv and we have been able to keep their interest and have them keep attending our live shows. I also think the performers in our business are much better today than they were 10 years ago.

Question: Hey Shawn are you looking forward to locking up with Johnny B. Badd when he gets to the WWF?

WWFLive1: Shawn: I don't know him, but I am sure with WWF policy Johnny would have to be something other than bad. But I think the WWF would be more than happy to add another superstar to its list and although I don't know him I understand he is a very nice man and wants to continue to improve his career.

Question: How do you see the Diesel\Undertaker match going?

WWFLive1: Shawn: A toss up. I don't know that I could call it from an announcers point of view, but I think our business is going to get a chance to see the two most talented big men in our business perform at out biggest event.

Question: Shawn: How do you think that HBK and the Kliq will fair against the return of Warrior?

WWFLive1: Shawn: I think we will fair just fine. The business has changed quite a bit since the last time he was here. And more importantly I have changed since he was here. Let's just say that there is a new sheriff in town and his name is Shawn Michaels. :)

Question: Shawn...Are you back to where you were before the accident?

WWFLive1: Shawn: I think that I am. My biggest concern right now is not being 100% from the accident, because I think I am. But I'm concerned about being 100% from the road schedule that I am keeping. The days off that I have had since my return, you can count on one hand and I am starting to feel very tired, and very sore. But aside from that, my head feels fine.

Question: Hey Shawn, have you ever gone 1hr. in a match before?

WWFLive1: Shawn: Marty and I had to go an hour years ago with the Rougeau brothers, but that was a tag match, it was very different. Yes, I am training differently. I am upping my cardio workout drastically. But again, because of my road scheduled I am worried about not getting a chance to train as effectively as I would like to.

Question: How do you feel about the contoversy surrounding Goldust?And parents threatening to not let thier kids watch the WWF?

WWFLive1: Shawn: I don't really know how to address the Goldust situation. It is my feeling that the parents and all of our fans should understand that the WWF is and should always be sports entertainment. I guess I am alot like people in this country that believe parents should be the ones addressing these situations with their children. I think most of our real fans know what is going on. Having said that, it has always been my feeling that as a heel any publicity is good publicity. As long as people are talking about you, it is a good sign.

Question: Do you always try to add new moves to your potent arsenal?

WWFLive1: Shawn: Yes I do. Once again, unfortunately because of my schedule, I don't get the chance to watch as many tapes as I used to in the past. But I am fortunate enough that the WWF has brought in wonderful workers such as Steve Austin and many others. When I work with them, they have me doing things that I haven't got to do in a long time. So that stimulates my brain again. But yes, inspite of what many people think, each day I am always making an effort to improve both professionally and personally.

Question: How do you feel about the NEW Rockers?

WWFLive1: Shawn: I'm getting a kick out of them. I think that's something that both Marty and Al will do very well.

Question: WrestleMaia V!!! Your first ever..You and Jannetty -vs- Twin Towers...Your thoughts on that first WrestleMania back in 1989?

WWFLive1: Shawn: To be perfectly honest, what I remember most is Marty and I getting smashed the night before and then going out there and putting on a pretty damn good show with the time that we had. Because it was our first WM, we were like two kids in a candy store the entire weekend and we had an incredible time. And all these years later, every WM that same feeling still comes back. Except now I don't get smashed the night before.

Question: How do you personaly feel about losing 2 members from your Kliq?

WWFLive1: Shawn: From a personal standpoint, I am going to very much miss my friends. But I am very happy for them and their families because this is what they both need to do. From a professional standpoint, I know that the WWF can continue to thrive without them and it is time that all of the fans see that the personal kliq is expanding. We have much larger goals in mind than most people think.

Question: How do you feel knowing that you have waited so long and worked so hard and it is YOUR time in the World Wrestling Federation?

WWFLive1: Shawn: It's hard for me to express the feelings that I have. Every time I try to do it, people think that I am working it, or that I am being too melodramatic. The fact of the matter is, I know this business is a work but this is very important to me and I am very happy that it is happening. I just want to try to do the best job that I possibly can. As far as waiting and climbing the ladder, as I look back I realize that all those times that I thought I was ready, I really wasn't. I can honestly say that for the first time, I am ready physically, emotionally and mentally for the job that is ahead of me. I hope that everyone will wish me luck and understand that I am trying to do the best job that I possibly can.

OnlineHost: Shawn...thanks for filling in for Jake "The Snake" Roberts!!! It is always a pleasure talking to the HBK on AOL!!!!!

OnlineHost: Shawn, Good Luck at WrestleMania XII!!!!!!!!!!

OnlineHost: Thank you all for joining us tonight...and thanks again to the HBK!!!!!!

OnlineHost: Good Night Everyone!!!!!

OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 America Online, Inc.