10 Wrestlers Audiences Weren't Ready For
5. Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart had more in common during the times they absolutely despised each other than they ever would have cared to admit.
'The Hitman' and 'The Showstopper' didn't exactly break through together in WWE's land of the giants, but they walked similar enough paths that their competitiveness could have been used collaboratively more than as part of an arms race for Vince McMahon's love and/or respect.
The tragic irony was that neither would ever truly get either. Yes, McMahon very clearly loved much of who Michaels was and often spoke of Hart with a reverence few others received. But neither drew him big money. Certainly not Hogan money. Where Hart had financially stuttered on top in 1993 and 1994 in 'The Hulkster's shadow, Michaels couldn't compete with him during his 1996 run opposite the New World Order in WCW.
Fans, somehow, still wanted a version of Hogan's bullsh*t more than they did the brilliance of Michaels, Hart and select others from the time. The New Generation has aged magnificently as a result, but the pair probably wouldn't have minded a little more of that kudos at the time.