Shawn Michaels Confirmed WWE Asked Him To Wrestle AJ Styles

"Dream matches" don't get much bigger than this.

shawn michaels aj styles
WWE.com

It has been seven years since Shawn Michaels last wrestled. His WrestleMania 26 match with The Undertaker remains one of the most iconic bouts in the event's history, and the perfect conclusion to one of the most glittering careers in WWE history.

In a sport where retirements typically don't stick, it's impressive that he has been able to stay away for so long. According to HBK himself, however, WWE made a play for him to wrestle one last match at WrestleMania 33. In a recent appearance on the Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast, Michaels stated that the company gave him the opportunity to face AJ Styles on April 2nd. Shawn turned it down, however, and that's why Styles vs. Shane McMahon was born.

Michaels' return was also speculated a few months ago, when rumours suggested he'd compete at this January's Royal Rumble PPV, which took place in his San Antonio, Texas hometown. That never materialised, however, and Michaels appeared as an untelevised guest host instead.

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Now 51 years old, and given his lengthy injury record, it seems unlikely that Michaels will ever lace-up his boots again. Besides, as tempted as he may be, why would HBK want to risk ruining his perfect WM26 send-off?

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.