10 Times Wrestlers Got Into Real Life Bar Fights

Shawn Michaels' third Intercontinental Championship reign had a rather unceremonious ending as he had to relinquish the title due to the injuries he sustained after enduring a brutal beatdown outside a bar in Syracuse, New York.

The date was 13 October 1995, and Shawn Michaels was on one of his usual drinking expeditions with his friends and fellow wrestlers Sean Waltman and Davey Boy Smith. However, he wasn't satisfied with the drinks alone and wanted to hook up with someone that night. He decided to pursue a girl on the dance floor, and when he approached her, her boyfriend, who happened to be a marine, stopped him and told him that they were already together.

However, Michaels ignored his warning and continued to pursue the girl, and when things started going south, the bouncers stepped in and de-escalated the situation. Michaels was placed in the passenger seat of a Pontiac Sunbird, but before they could drive away, the marine who was waiting for Michaels with some of his friends, ambushed them and landed several blows on HBK's face before slamming the car door onto his face.

According to Jim Cornette, Waltman had already passed out, and Davey Boy Smith was stuck in the back seat when Michaels' seat got pushed back. However, Smith managed to free himself and join the fight, though the damage had already been done.

Michaels stated during his interaction with Logan Paul on his podcast and stated that he has no recollection of the incident and could only remember being hammered and waking up in the hospital.