10 Observations From Jim Ross & Jim Cornette's Attitude Era Q&A
7. Cornette Thought Shawn Michaels Never Embraced Jose Lothario Relationship
Once a brash, cocky heel, Shawn Michaels was turned into a babyface hero in the mid-1990's. Coming across like a male model mixed with a Chippendales dancer, Michaels was known as the 'Heartbreak Kid', dancing his way to the ring and thrusting his hips. It was hardly the hard-working humble hero top babyfaces like Bruno Sammartino had played years before.
According to Jim Ross, WWF management wanted to paint Michaels in that light. That's precisely why his trainer, Jose Lothario was put by the wrestler's side. Those in charge were trying to give Shawn more of a grass roots, 'man of the people' vibe.
Jim Cornette likens the partnership to that of Rocky Balboa and his trainer Mickey in the popular Rocky franchise. Sadly, he never felt that Michaels embraced the idea. Instead of using Lothario to gain sympathy, Cornette thinks Shawn was far too pre-occupied with himself to make it work.
At the time, Lothario did stick out like the proverbial sore thumb on WWF television. In Cornette's words, that's because Shawn Michaels never wanted him by his side.