In 1993, Shawn Michaels was enjoying the biggest push of his singles career as the intercontinental champion. A strong talker and even better worker, there was no denying that the Heartbreak Kid was well on his way to developing into the Showstopper and Icon that fans would come to know him as. But there was still something missing from his overall presentation. He needed a second, someone to help garner the heat that would put him over the top. Sensation Sherri had been the person previously but with her gone, he was left on his own. Enter Kevin Nash, who had spent the first few years of his career trapped in the prison that was WCW, competing under failed gimmick after failed gimmick. Introduced to the WWE audience as Diesel, he was the seven-foot bodyguard of Michaels, an imposing presence at ringside as HBK tangled with the top stars in the industry, including Razor Ramon and Marty Jannetty. For over one year, Michaels benefited from having Big Daddy Cool in his corner. He won the IC title and tag team gold during that period and rapidly became one of the most despised stars on the roster. It was a time of enormous growth for Michaels, something that may not have otherwise occurred had he not have been blessed with the walking heater that was Diesel as his bodyguard.
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.
