Shawn Michaels

Guide Note

Shawn Michaels is a professional wrestler for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Michaels is one of the longest tenured wrestlers in the WWE. He and The Undertaker are the only two wrestlers still employed the the WWE that appeared on the first episode of WWE Raw in 1993.

Fast Facts

1. Real Name: Michael Shawn Hickenbottom
2. Born: July 22, 1965
3. Debut: 1984
4. WWE Performer Since 1988
5. Owner: Shawn Michael Wrestling Academy
6. Height: 6-1
7. Weight: 225 lbs
8. Trainer: Jose Lothario
9. Former World Champion

Shawn Michaels debuted with in the WWF in 1988 as one half of tag team "The Rockers" with Marty Jannetty. In 1991, Michaels would turn on Jannetty and become a heel known as "The Boy Toy." The name soon evolved into "The Heartbreak Kid." Michaels would have a successful singles run, winning the Intercontinental and World Championships.

In 1997, Michaels faced Bret Hart at Survivor Series for the WWF Championship. It was known that Hart was leaving the company to join WCW. However, Hart did not want to job to Michaels and an agreement was made for Hart to relinquish the title the following night on Raw. During the match, Vince McMahon came to the ring as Michaels put Hart in the "sharpshooter." McMahon ordered the referee to ring the bell and declare Michaels the winner, even though Hart had not submitted. Michaels later admitted to having prior knowledge of the incident, which came to be known as the Montreal Screwjob.

After the incident with Bret Hart, Michaels went on to team up with Triple H and Chyna to form the group D-Generation X. In 1998, Michaels was forced to retire after injuring his back against The Undertaker. Michaels would return to action in the WWE in 2002 and has been active ever since.