The Heartbreak Kid is, arguably, the best performer in WWE history. An athletic wrestler with a knack for telling stories that few could match, Shawn Michaels could, and usually did, outperform any other star on the roster. With such ability, however, comes enormous ego and Michaels had that in spades. With every phenomenal performance in front of the camera came an equally as vivid description of some backstage hissy fit or political maneuvering that adversely affected someone else on the roster. Bam Bam Bigelow, Chris Candido, Shane Douglas and Bret Hart are some of the more famous examples. Michaels' final WWE title reign came in November 1997, when he defeated Hart in the most controversial and talked about moment in pro wrestling, the Montreal Screwjob. From that moment on, he became one of the most despised men in the sport. His claims of innocence in the screwing of Hart fell of deaf ears, no one really believing that he was not somehow involved. That he suffered a back injury that kept him out of the ring for the majority of his last reign, then tried to argue his way out of dropping the title to Steve Austin at WrestleMania XIV only made matters worse. His reputation soiled and his back literally broken, Michaels disappeared from WWE for months before returning in an authority figure role.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
