10 Fascinating WWE Royal Rumble 1997 Facts
2. Shawn Michaels Worked With The Flu
It wouldn't have been his first ever World Championship victory, but it was designed to be a feelgood moment nonetheless. Shawn Michaels would be regaining the WWE Championship from Sid, in front of his friends and neighbors in San Antonio. Knowing Michaels, he would rise to the occasion with one of his classic four-star performances befitting of his "Showstopper" moniker.
Unfortunately, the match itself was mediocre. Michaels had come down with the flu and, by his admission, spent the entire previous night in the bathroom. Come show day, Michaels tried to sleep off his illness in McMahon's makeshift office at the arena.
Michaels managed to gut his way through the match and delivered an enjoyable performance, albeit below both his standards, and viewer expectations. Then again, even Shawn's mediocre is better than a lot of people's best.