10 Things We Learned From Vince Russo's WWE 1998 Timeline Kayfabe Commentaries Shoot

5. The Roster Thought Shawn Michaels Was Faking Royal Rumble Injury

The story has been told a thousand times, The Undertaker taped his fists whilst telling Shawn Michaels that he better do business properly at WrestleMania XIV. That night, Michaels put over Steve Austin and dropped the WWF Heavyweight Title to him. Vince Russo doesn't know if that's true or not, but he did share something interesting during his shoot interview. Months earlier at the Royal Rumble in January, Shawn recoiled in pain after taking a bump on the coffin lid during his Casket Match opposite Undertaker. The impact resulted in a severe back injury for Michaels, and actually ended up keeping him out of action for close to 4 years following 'Mania. Sadly for him, his past came back to bite him in the eyes of the roster. Shawn Michaels was considered as someone who had a history of dodging big jobs, conveniently going down with injuries. Many backstage felt he was lying about the back problems post-Rumble and was simply up to his old tricks again. Even Russo wasn't convinced, watching Michaels perform his trademark 'kip up' at WrestleMania and wondering how it was possible with a bad back.