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| HBK with Alberto del Rio's scarf Photo Credit: WWE.com |
Why though? Wrestlers don't retire unless they're physically unable to compete in the ring or they're The Rock and are making a ton of money doing movies. I mean, Ric Flair was back wrestling in Australia and for TNA within two years of his "last match" (against Michaels, interestingly enough), and he's ancient. How can I say with any certainty that if Michaels comes back for another match, it won't be anytime soon? A few reasons, actually.
The first one actually ties into that aforementioned Flair/Michaels match from WrestleMania 24. Michaels has publicly stated that he's seen how Flair has sadly carried on with his career after putting a coda on it after their emotional match and claimed he doesn't want to be like that. I believe him. Michaels seems like the kind of guy who's sincere and proud, and I'm not sure he wants to be the kind of guy who's always on the road when he's got a family at home. I know it's hip to make fun of his Christian lifestyle now, but faith can keep people grounded.
Two, and I think this is the biggest one, while no doubt he has fun being a WWE wrestler, actually putting in the hours and putting his body on the line? Yeah, not as fun. He could phone it in, but when has Shawn Michaels ever been known to phone in a match on a big setting? Yeah, he definitely showed a lack of effort on undercard RAW matches and such, but you know that the WWE isn't stupid enough to blow their HBK wad on something OTHER than WrestleMania, right? It seems like he's happy doing his thing, going to Yukon and hunting, playing with his young children and ignoring Shane Helms on Twitter. Having to come back for one night to be inducted into the WWE HOF? Doable. Doing months of promo work, flying each week for a month or two to set up a match where he may reinjure his back or some other body part that nagged him over his career? Too soon.
This may be my first mistake, but I believe Michaels is sincere when he claims he's not going to wrestle again in the near future. I mean, after a few more years pass, all bets may be off, but the guy is still made. I mean, he's one of the most recognizable wrestlers ever. He probably still gets royalties from merchandise and video games, since you know he'll be an unlockable character in every WWE game from here on out. If there's any wrestler who's going to be taken care of if he falls on hard times, it's definitely the son-in-law's BFF. I think he's happy with what he's got now.
Which is to say don't hold your breath for anything more than a guest ref spot, an induction or a spot appearance like last night's where he only had to throw Sweet Chin Music one more time. Shawn Michaels is retired, and I don't know about you, but I don't mind that. Let him be, and if he wants to come back for one more match, I say let him do it on his own terms. For now? I think the little bits of nostalgia are refreshers enough.
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