10 WWE Stars Who Fought Through The Pain Barrier

3. Shawn Michaels Vs. Steve Austin - WWF WrestleMania XIV

Shawn Michaels WrestleMania XIV
WWE.com

Michaels was in so much pain during this pivotal moment in the WWF's history that he wouldn't wrestle again for another four years afterwards. At the time, his back was so knackered that he didn't think he'd wrestle again at all.

The injury from which the agony stemmed is a real lip-purser - smashing his coccyx on the hard edge of the titular Casket in his Royal Rumble 1997 match against the Undertaker, that he was able to finish the match was likely attributed to the adrenaline coursing through him more than anything else.

The effects became apparent in the following weeks; unable to step back in the ring to promote his WWF title match with Steve Austin at WrestleMania XIV, he was instead replaced by Savio Vega on the preceding In Your House. Michaels, despite being barely able to walk beforehand, entered a more than credible performance in the match, which was astoundingly good given that both men involved were nursing or recovering from some of the most serious injuries ever suffered in the ring.

Even if he was spurred into this test of character through cowardice - rumours abound that locker room leader the Undertaker had threatened to beat him senseless if he didn't comply with the finish - Michaels nonetheless deserves immense credit for enduring a night of sheer agony in the name of business.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!