NEW YORK - Nov. 17, 2002

In another one of those "anything can happen in World Wrestling Entertainment" moments, Shawn Michaels won the World Heavyweight Championship tonight, pinning Triple H in the Elimination Chamber. WWE.com got a quick interview with the new champion, who had what was supposed to be his last match almost five years ago at WrestleMania XIV.

WWE.com: How are you feeling?

Michaels: Not too bad. (The adrenaline doesn't wear off until) either tomorrow, or a couple of days after. But I think I'm alright. It feels OK.

WWE.com: What about mentally and emotionally, how are you feeling?

Michaels: Good. I'm sorry Hunter got hurt. Some things went awry out there that we have no control over. But I think we did a good job of getting into position and thinking on our feet.

WWE.com: You guys aren't rookies out there.

Michaels: No. But when things go wrong, mentally you freeze up for a second. And then you've just got to try thinking on your feet and trying to get out of it.

WWE.com: Are you feeling euphoric that you're World Heavyweight Champion?

Michaels: No, not really. (Laughs) It's very fun. It's nice. But I have a little more realistic grip on it now than I did before.

WWE.com: Did you ever think this was going to happen again?

Michaels: No. I didn't really see where it'd fit in from a business standpoint for them.

WWE.com: Last time we talked, your idea was to have one last match at WrestleMania. So how did you end up coming back for this?

Michaels: I got a call three weeks ago and Vince (McMahon) asked me. It's one of those things were, coming off that one storyline, it seemed they wanted to go a different direction. I volunteer to help anyway I can. I promised Vince that if he calls and I can physically do it, I'll do what I can for him. So he called, explained the type of match, and I figured, "With that many guys in there and that type of talent, I could probably get through that type of match."

WWE.com: Does it ever end up working that way though - where you rely on others to do the work? Once HBK is out there, he can't lollygag ...

Michaels: Well, that may be true. But, if nothing else, mentally, if I feel secure going in, I'm going to do it. I don't know if it's the way (Vince) explains it, or if it's matches, or whatever it is, I feel comfortable doing it. If I didn't, I wouldn't do it. Again, I think there's a lot of talent out there. Like I said before, I think those gimmick matches are easier for me to do. I think you'd find me a little more leery if I had a one-on-one, 30-minute wrestling match with somebody like Rob (Van Dam) or whatever.

WWE.com: So do you still have an idea in mind for the rest of your in-ring career? Are you still planning to have your last match at WrestleMania? Are you playing it by ear?

Michaels: Yeah. I have no idea now. No idea.

WWE.com: But you'll be at RAW tomorrow. We know that much.

Michaels: I should be.