10 Fascinating WWE WrestleMania 19 Facts
6. Shawn Michaels Was Initially Hesitant About Working WrestleMania
It's a testament to how incredible a performer Michaels is that at SummerSlam 2002, he returned after a four-and-a-half year layoff, managing to steal the show in an emotionally-charged brawl with Triple H. Working sporadically, Michaels concluded a feud with Triple H over the World Heavyweight title in December 2002, and there seemed to be no further plans for "The Heartbreak Kid" at that point.
When Michaels took part in a brief segment with Chris Jericho around that time, their chemistry was obvious. Jericho broached the idea of a WrestleMania match with Michaels, who admitted he wasn't sure how much longer he was going to be around. The brief comeback showcased Michaels at his finest (and healthiest in years), but he didn't seem keen on pushing his luck.
With further convincing from Jericho, Michaels indeed came back, and the two managed to even exceed expectations with a true all-timer of a match. A rejuvenated Michaels even brushed off an unnamed staffer who told him the match had gone too long by responding, "When you have a match as good as that, you can go as long as you want."